John Archer School

Where All Students Experience Success!

DR. JOHN ARCHER

 

(1741-1810)

 

The John Archer School was named for Dr. John Archer - one of Harford County’s most prominent citizens. Dr. Archer was born near Churchville on May 5, 1741. He attended the West Nottingham Academy in Cecil County and graduated from Princeton College in 1760 where he studied theology.

 

             In 1765 Dr. Archer became a Presbyterian minister. However, due to a throat ailment, he retired from the ministry to study medicine at the College of Philadelphia (now named the University of Pennsylvania). On June 21, 1768, he graduated becoming the first graduate of medicine in the United States of America.

 

             In 1769, Dr. Archer commenced his medical practice at his home in Harford County where he established the “Medical Hall”.  Working and teaching at the “Medical Hall,” he trained 50 students in medicine between 1786 and 1810. Today, the “Medical Hall” still stands on his family property.

 

             In addition to his theology and medical practice, Dr. Archer was also an active politician and military person. Between 1774 and 1776, he was a member of the Revolutionary Committee. He was a member of the first State constitutional convention in 1776. Dr. Archer served in the State House of Delegates between 1777 and 1779. During the Revolutionary War he was aide-de-camp to General Anthony Wayne at Stony Point. In June 1779, he was made a captain and subsequently a major in the Continental Army. Dr. Archer was elected as a republican to the seventh, eighth and ninth congresses between 1801 and 1807.

 

             In 1799, Dr. Archer and his son, Dr. Thomas Archer founded the medical and surgical faculty of Maryland. Harford County lost the famous Dr. John Archer on September 28, 1810 which he died at his home— “Medical Hall.” He is buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery in Churchville. His hard work lives on through our service to the students of John Archer.

 

 

 

 

John Archer was named for Dr. John Archer, who was born in Churchville in 1741. Dr, Archer became a Presbyterian minister in 1765 but retired to study medicine at the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania). He graduated on June 21, 1768, and due to the alphabetical positioning of his name, became the first graduate of medicine in the United States. Dr. Archer then practiced medicine in Harford County and established the "Medical Hall" which is still standing on his family property, where he prepared fifty students in medicine between 1786 and 1810. Dr. Archer signed the famous Bush Declaration in 1775, was a delegate to the Maryland Constitutional Convention in 1782, Presidential Elector in 1796 and a member of Congress from 1802 to 1808. Dr. Archer, one of Harford County's most prominent citizens, died in 1810 at the age of 70

 

 ABOUT US

 

 

 

 

Parents Students Teachers          

Principal:

Deborea Montgomery

Assistant Principal:  Gerald Horn

 

John Archer School

100 Thomas Run Road

Bel Air, Maryland 21015

(410) 638-3810

 

VISION, MISSION, AND GOALS

 

Vision Statement

Our students will receive educational services necessary to become productive members of the community.

Mission Statement

The mission of John Archer School is to provide students with quality educational services, to establish high expectations for all students, enable students to develop positive self-esteem and achieve their maximum levels of independence.

Goals

The student will learn through instruction which is based on their individual needs
The students will develop effective communication skills
The students will develop appropriate behavior
The students will develop appropriate personal management skills
The students will develop independence through decision making
The students will demonstrate acquired skills in the community
The students will demonstrate acquired skills through recreation and leisure activities
The students will demonstrate acquired skills through career vocational opportunities