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About us

A proven tradition of student-centered education

Today’s Moravian Academy was founded by Countess Benigna Von Zinzendorf and D. Esther Swain. These innovative women lived nearly two centuries apart, yet they shared the same forward-thinking philosophy: every child, regardless of gender, background, or belief, deserves an education that puts them at the center.

We’ve lived that philosophy every day since 1742—because it works.

Our bedrock commitment to each individual student drives everything we do, from daily classroom lessons to the overarching curricular choices on our two distinct Preschool-Grade 8 campuses. At MA, your family can choose between a fully secular values-based program on the Swain Campus, or one infused by inclusive Moravian traditions and services on the Historic Downtown Campus. Signature programs at each location develop self-knowledge, subject-matter expertise, and a lifelong love of learning, fully preparing your child for our Upper School. Your family can choose from the extensive outdoor education program of the Swain Campus, the Spanish Immersion Program of the Historic Downtown Campus, and many other multifaceted learning experiences.

Wherever they start their MA journey, students come together for Upper School on our Merle-Smith Campus. This intentionally college-preparatory program fosters independent thinking, advanced research skills, and meaningful citizenship, along with a uniquely confident and joyful approach to life. No wonder our students enroll and succeed at the nation’s top universities and pursue significant, satisfying careers.

We invite you to learn more about our academic programs as well as the respective educational experiences on the Swain, Historic Downtown, and Merle-Smith Campuses. Then, when you’re ready, come visit us in person!

Small Classes, Big Community

A tradition of excellence across three campuses in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania.

363 Students

Historic Downtown

Bethlehem (PS-Grade 8)

233 Students

Swain Campus

Allentown (PS-Grade 8)

260 Students

Merle-Smith

Bethlehem (Grades 9-12)

Total Moravian Academy Student Body 856 (2025-26)

A Global Legacy: Moravian Academy’s UNESCO World Heritage Home

In July 2024, the Historic Moravian Bethlehem National Historic Landmark District—home to Moravian Academy’s downtown campus—was officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This achievement marks the first multi-country "transnational" designation in U.S. history, linking Bethlehem with fellow Moravian settlements in Germany, Northern Ireland, and Denmark.

As one of only 26 World Heritage sites in the United States and only the third in Pennsylvania, our campus stands alongside global icons like the Great Wall of China and the Pyramids of Giza. For our students, this prestigious honor transforms our historic grounds into a living classroom, offering unparalleled access to international exchange, specialized curricula, and a direct connection to a globally recognized legacy of communal innovation and architectural preservation.