Margaret Bancroft

About

Margaret Bancroft was a pioneering educator born in 1854 in Philadelphia. She began her teaching career after graduating from the Philadelphia Normal School, quickly recognizing the need for specialized education for children with developmental disabilities. In 1883, at the age of 29, she founded the Haddonfield School for the Mentally Deficient and Peculiarly Backward, later renamed the Bancroft Training School. This was one of the first private schools in the U.S. dedicated to serving children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Bancroft's approach emphasized individualized instruction, proper nutrition, and a structured learning environment. Her school gained recognition for its success, expanding to accommodate more students. She advocated for the rights of children with disabilities, paving the way for future special education policies. After her death in 1912, her legacy continued through the growth of the Bancroft School, which remains a leading institution in special education and care for individuals with developmental needs across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.