The Inter-Academic League traces its origins back to 1887 when select schools organized as the Inter-Academic Association of Private Schools of the State of Pennsylvania. The idea was originally conceived by George H. Deacon, the Headmaster at Germantown Academy at the time. Deacon sought the assistance from Henry I. Brown, a Penn Charter student who had once been a student at Germantown Academy. A meeting was held on February 11, 1887 where Episcopal Academy, Germantown Academy, Rittenhouse Academy, Rugby Academy William Penn Charter School set to form the Inter-Academic Association of Private Schools of the State of Pennsylvania. With bylaws and officers in place, the league would promote athletics through sports such as: football, baseball, tug of war and track & field. One of the first official rules prohibited Headmasters from active competition.

The first Inter-Ac event was tug of war held in Penn Charter’s gym. The first track meet was held on May 25, 1887. Football was formally introduced in the fall of 1887 where Germantown Academy and Penn Charter began their storied rivalry. In 1891, baseball and cricket were added.

During the early years of the league, several prominent Philadelphia area schools participated in League competition. Cheltenham Military Academy joined the League soon after its inception in 1889, while Delancey School was admitted in 1891. Rugby Academy’s membership was short-lived, with the Academy departing in 1894. Rugby Academy was replaced by Adelphi Academy (formerly known as Forsyth Academy in 1895, but Adelphi withdrew just two years later. Friends’ Central School joined in 1896.

The turn of the century saw significant changes for the League. The League became known as the Inter-Academy League (although no specific date is recorded for this change). The League also began competition in ice hockey, tennis (replaced cricket in 1916) and basketball. The League members continued to evolve throughout the early part of the 20^th century. Haverford College Grammar School withdrew in 1905, but rejoined the League in 1922 as The Haverford School. Cheltenham Military Academy would withdraw in 1905, and by 1910 the League comprised: Episcopal Academy, Germantown Academy, William Penn Charter School, Friends’ Central School and Delancey School.

The 1920’s saw another round of growth for the League. Several schools had brief League affiliation, including: St. Luke’s School (1922-27) and Montgomery School (1929-?). In 1928, Germantown Friends’ School would join and enjoyed relatively consistent membership until 1968. Chestnut Hill Academy would join the League in 1924, and rejoin permanently in 1956.[i]

Malvern Prep joined the League in 1950. Their membership, along with Chestnut Hill Academy in 1956, would bring the League’s schools to 6. Chestnut Hill Academy, Episcopal Academy, Germantown Academy, The Haverford School, Malvern Prep and William Penn Charter School.

Throughout the 1900’s, the League would continue to participate in additional sports.

The Girls Inter-Academic Athletic Association was organized in 1982 and held their first official year of competition in 1983-84. The founding schools were Agnes Irwin School, Baldwin School, Episcopal Academy, Germantown Academy, Shipley School and Springside School. Academy of Notre Dame joined the league in the fall of 1984. William Penn Charter School joined the Girls League in the fall of 1991. The Shipley School left the Girls League at the end of the 2004-05 school year to join the Friends League.
 
The Girls League was unique in that they initially recognized league winners at every level of play (V, JV, 3^rd, 4^th, etc.), and then an overall champion for each sport. The Girls League initially fielded 6 sports: field hockey, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, tennis and softball. Additional sports were added based on sport sponsorship of a minimum of 4 league schools. Soccer, cross country, swimming, squash, softball and golf were added throughout the years.

The Inter-Ac Boys and Girls Leagues merged in 2013-2014. Today the league consists of: Academy of Notre Dame, Agnes Irwin School, Baldwin School, Episcopal Academy, Germantown Academy, The Haverford School, Malvern Prep, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy and William Penn Charter School. The League sponsors competition in 25 sports.