Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ACADEMY, n. Sc. usage: a school for higher secondary education gen. set up in a burgh by the public authority or by private benefaction where a grammar school had decayed or where there was a demand for more modern or scientific curriculum (see quots.). The term was derived from the English Dissenting Academies of the 18th c. which were run on somewhat sim. lines. In Scotland the term has been widely extended and is now virtually applied to all state secondary schools, whether previously called Grammar School, High School, Institution, etc., or it.Ags. 1785 A. Warden Burgh Laws Dundee (1872) 196:
The Dean reported to the assessors that the Town Council proposed to institute an academy in the town. Per. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ XVIII. 538:
The academy for mathematics, astronomy, and the several parts of education which are proper to fit young men for business. Ayr. 1807 A. McKay Hist. Kilmarnock (1864) 143:
At this time, the present building [of Kilmarnock Grammar School] was erected, and designated the Academy. Sc. 1868 Report Schools Inquiry Commission VI. 38:
All these four schools [Ayr, Dumfries, Hamilton, Inverness] have been converted from ancient grammar schools into “academies”. This is a term which has apparently a peculiar force in Scotland, and seems frequently to imply that at some period a proprietary element has been added to the ancient burgh institution. The object of this proceeding has been generally the revival of the burgh school, which had fallen into a low condition and especially the furnishing of means for the erection of new buildings; and it seems that this combination of a proprietary with an endowed element in a school is one which has frequently been very successful in Scotland. Sc. 1876 J. Grant Burgh Schools 115:
The oldest academy in Scotland is that of Perth, which was projected on 24th September 1760. Sc. 1931 J. C. Jessop Education Ags. 182:
Academies were mostly founded towards the end of the eighteenth and beginning of the nineteenth centuries. Abd. 1960 Stat. Acc.³ (Aberdeenshire) 482:
The status and designation of “Academy” was granted to Ellon Secondary School, and that of “Rector” to the headmaster, only a few years ago.