Note: All Back To School articles are searchable under the tag “Back To School”
<<French American School of New York (FASNY)>>
Founded in 1980, FASNY is a bilingual, international co-ed day school for Nursery School (age 3) through grade 12. The 850 students and impressive staff represent over 50 nationalities; and all teachers are trained to teach both the American and French curriculum. English courses are taught through the inductive reasoning process, while French courses generally follow the deductive method.
FASNY strives to create a cohesive and nurturing school community by combining both French and American school life traditions. Notably, the school is the only one in the New York area to be accredited to offer both the International Baccalaureate and the French Baccalaureate. In addition to a vigorous academic curriculum, the school offers a strong Arts, Music, Athletics, and Community Service program, as well as national and international educational trips. Numerous opportunities are also available through afterschool clubs, including French cooking, Lego robotics, piano, introduction to classical ballet, chess, fencing, musical comedy, finance, and coding.
In 2018, the school will debut an international high school program taught in English. This program will build on the success of FASNY’s International Baccalaureate track, which graduated its first class this spring, as well as complement the school’s bilingual program, open to non-French speakers age 3 through Kindergarten. Parents are encouraged to inquire about the unique advantages of studying in an international environment.
FASNY
Pre-School
85 Palmer Avenue
Scarsdale
250-0521
Elementary School
111 Larchmont Avenue
Larchmont
250-0469
Middle and High School
145 New Street
Mamaroneck
250-0451
fasny.org
Year Founded: 1980
Head of School: Joel Peinado
Enrollment: 850
Student/Teacher Ratio: 9:1
Average Class Size: 15
Tuition: $24,980-$33,710
Open House: November 4
With pix
Hackley School
A member of the Ivy Preparatory School League, Hackley is an independent, co-ed college preparatory day and boarding school for students in grades K-12. The school’s educational program is deeply rooted in its mission statement: “Hackley challenges students to grow in character, scholarship and achievement, to offer unreserved effort, and to learn from the varying perspectives and backgrounds in our community and the world.” The school stresses the importance of learning across cultures and differences of opinion with curiosity and appreciation.
While scholarship and accomplishment are important, character comes first, and this is reinforced by all Hackley programs, including the Lower School Character Education curriculum and the priority placed on mutual respect, collaborative learning, teamwork, humility, and friendship. Through character-driven engagement, students grow as thinkers, problem solvers, and citizens of the world.
Over the last decade, Hackley has opened a new science building, new Lower and Middle School buildings, and has done extensive renovations to the historic Upper School building. Going forward, the school is now set to open the 115,000 square-foot Johnson Center for Health and Wellness, which will support academic and community programs in health, nutrition, fitness and athletics. The new facility on Hackley’s 285-acre campus rivals the fitness and athletics facilities of many small colleges.
Hackley School
293 Benedict Avenue
Tarrytown
366-2600
hackleyschool.org
Year Founded: 1899
Head of School: Michael C. Wirtz
Enrollment: 840 (K-12)
Student/Teacher Ratio: 7:1
Average Class Size: 16
Tuition: $37,450-$44,225
Open Houses:
Middle and Upper School: October 28, 7-3
Lower School: November 18, 7-3
Daily tours begin September 12.
With pix
<<Harvey School>>
The Harvey School in Katonah is a co-ed, college preparatory school for students in grades 6-12, with an optional five-day boarding program for grades 9-12. With an average class size of ten students, the school community cultivates the strengths of each student through academic excellence, artistic exploration, athletic achievement, community service, and global understanding.
The student body is diverse and contains a wide range of academic backgrounds and abilities. Now in its fourth year, the International Student Program boasts 20 international students from four countries. In addition, Harvey students can participate in immersive trips abroad (recent trips include Japan and Costa Rica) to enhance their foreign language skills, volunteer experiences, and cultural awareness.
The school offers a variety of classes from basic skill levels to honors and advanced placement classes, so every student is sufficiently challenged and encouraged to reach his or her full potential. Harvey’s Robotics program is nationally recognized, and in September 2014, an entirely new area was created to function as a combined Robotics Lab and Makerspace complete with 3-D printers, computers and iPads, as well as traditional construction tools and electronics. In 2016, the school hosted the VEX Robotics Tournament. In addition to academics, Harvey’s athletic program offers 15 varsity sports and 33 teams, including Boys’ and Girls’ Rugby.
The school also offers an enticing performing arts curriculum to promote self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-awareness. The Middle School program offers Theatre, Music and Studio; the Upper School curriculum includes classes in Music, Theatre, Dance, and Film. Students have the opportunity to study acting, improvisation, playwriting, music theory, music history, instrumental/voice lessons, dance, film criticism, and stagecraft.
Harvey School
260 Jay Street
Katonah
232-3161
harveyschool.org
Year Founded: 1916
Head of School: William J. Knauer
Enrollment: 360
Student/Teacher Ratio: 6:1
Percentage of Girls/Boys: 46/54
Average Class Size: 10
Tuition: $36,800-$40,250
Open Houses:
October 14 at 9, November 8 at 9
With pix
<<King School>>
Founded in 1865, King School in Stamford is a highly selective, co-ed, independent day school serving children from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The school focuses on a personalized approach to teaching and learning in order to understand each student as an individual and support them as they mature and grow into a lifelong learner.
The goals of the personalized approach are to: help students develop self awareness and maximize their learning, facilitate ongoing opportunities for all students to improve, accelerate, and succeed in a challenging academic environment, and to identify each student’s unique challenges and adjust teaching styles and techniques in order for them to excel.
All King students are deeply immersed in the study of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Students who are passionate about STEM can elect to graduate with a Certificate of Distinction in STEM. Students learn first-hand the real-world skills used by today’s researchers and innovators, such as literature review, experimentation or project design, modeling, data analysis, and information presentation.
King also offers a competitive athletic program designed to enhance the students’ overall educational experience. Choices include football, ice hockey, soccer, field hockey, basketball, golf, squash, basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball, lacrosse, crew, tennis and cross-country.
King School
1450 Newfield Avenue
Stamford
203-322-3496
kingschoolct.org
Year Founded: 1865
Head of School: Tom Main
Enrollment: 680
Student/Teacher Ratio: 6:1
Average Class Size: 12
Tuition: $26,000-$42,000
Open Houses:
Middle and Upper School: October 15, 1-4
Lower School: November 5, 1-4
With pix
<<Masters School>>
Located on 96 beautiful acres in Dobbs Ferry, the Masters School is an independent day and boarding school for grades 5-12 that empowers independent thinkers through intellectual exploration. Masters follow the renowned Harkness teaching method that encourages students to actively participate, collaborate, and take responsibility for their education.
All students, including day students, benefit from the boarding school experience, which provides the resources, activities, and diversity of a seven-day campus. The school’s ideal location close to New York City provides numerous learning and cultural opportunities. The dedicated faculty is highly accessible, as 60% live on campus.
Masters is well known for its three signature programs: The Ethical Leadership Project, the Innovation, Engineering and Entrepreneurship Program, and the Global Studies Program. The Engineering Program offers a four-year curriculum with eligibility to earn college credits, while the Global Studies Program offers students transformative experiences such as a two weeklong homestay in Lijiang, China or at a progressive boarding school in Tokyo, Japan. Each program provides a unique learning experience that puts forth students who are confident in their own voices and abilities, preparing them for college, career and life.
In addition to a vigorous academic curriculum, Masters offers numerous athletic programs, with 37 teams at the varsity, junior varsity, and middle school levels. The program supports all levels of athletic ability, whether it is a 6th grader trying a sport for the first time, or a nationally ranked squash player helping the team win the Division III National High School Championships.
Masters School
49 Clinton Avenue
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
479-6400
mastersny.org
Year Founded: 1877
Head of School: Laura Danforth
Enrollment: 660
Student/Teacher Ratio: 7:1
Average Class Size: 14
Tuition: $43,050
Open Houses:
Grades 9-12: October 21 at noon
Grades 5-8: November 4 at noon
RSVP at 479-6420 or admission@mastersny.org
With pix
<<Mead School>>
The Mead School, founded in 1969, is an independent, progressive, co-ed day school serving infants, toddlers, pre-K and K-8 students. Mead provides a hands-on approach starting with the youngest learners in the Early Childhood Center, and continues with a robust and challenging curriculum through 8th grade. The Expressive Arts (Art, Music, Physical Development, Movement and Español) play an integral part of the Mead experience.
The school’s student-teacher ratio of 6:1 allows the faculty to facilitate mastery across all academic subjects and encourage a passion for discovery and learning. Mead supports the development of the whole child, recognizing that each child learns and develops differently. The focus is on individualized, experiential learning, and teachers are constantly fine-tuning instruction so that each student is nurtured and challenged academically, socially and emotionally. Mead prides itself on celebrating academic excellence and personal achievement in an atmosphere of respect rather than competition and comparison.
Mead School
1095 Riverbank Road
Stamford
203-595-9500
meadschool.org
Year Founded: 1969
Head of School: Stephanie B. Whitney
Enrollment: 125
Student/Teacher Ratio: 6:1
Average Class Size: 12
Tuition: $17,460-$40,380
Open Houses:
October 19 and November 2 at 10 a.m.
Take-A-Look Thursdays; every Thursday at 10 a.m.
With pix
<<Sacred Heart Greenwich>>
Sacred Heart Greenwich (formerly Convent of the Sacred Heart) is an independent, Catholic, college preparatory school for young women from kindergarten through grade 12, with a coed preschool and prekindergarten program.
Steeped in a solid academic tradition, Sacred Heart educates women to have independence of judgment, personal freedom, and strength of character so they can become future leaders with broad intellectual and spiritual horizons.
The school welcomes students of all races, socioeconomic backgrounds, and religious beliefs. True to its international heritage, Sacred Heart provides students with experiences of diversity.
Cultivating prophetic leaders is a priority, and, as a member of the Sacred Heart Network of Schools, the entire school community is dedicated to the following goals: A personal and active faith in God, a deep respect for intellectual values, a social awareness which impels to action, the building of a community as a Christian value, and personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.
From early childhood through twelfth grade, students are expected to achieve their highest level of scholarship, while learning to assume leadership roles as responsible, compassionate and contributing members of society. Sacred Heart also provides many exciting opportunities to learn outside of the classroom. Students may enhance their education with study abroad through the international exchange program, service learning, the national Online School for Girls, and participation in national conferences and competitions.
The faculty fosters strong relationships with the students, to give them guidance and instill a vibrant curiosity for learning. As dedicated educators, they are committed to their own ongoing growth as professionals, learning from and supporting one another. When they model this type of leadership, students reap the benefits.
Sacred Heart Greenwich
1177 King Street, Greenwich
203-531-6500
cshgreenwich.org
Year Founded: 1848
Head of School: Pamela Juan Hayes
Enrollment: 735
Student/Teacher Ratio: 1:8
Average Class Size: 18
Tuition: $36,400 to $41,900
Open Houses:
Upper School (grades 9-12); October 19 at 6 p.m.
All School (grades K-12); November 4 at 9 a.m.
Barat Center for Early Childhood Education; November 10 at 9:30 a.m.
Tour Dates (all grades): October 5, November 2, December 7, January 11 (9 a.m. to noon)
With pix
<<Whitby School>>
As the birthplace of the Montessori method in the United States, Whitby School is an independent, co-ed private day school serving children 18 months of age through 8th grade. Using inquiry-based learning, Whitby goes beyond testing and the classroom setting to inspire students to see beyond themselves and grow to be empathetic leaders who bring out the best in themselves and others.
A pioneer in education, Whitby is the first school in the world to combine the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program and Montessori within an early education program. In the Lower School, children learn in multi-age classrooms, allowing the younger students to benefit from the older ones as role models, while also fostering empathy and modeling behavior among the older students. Two fully trained teachers per class with a maximum of 20 students means more support for each student and more collaboration among teachers.
In the Upper School (grades 5-8) students have a rigorous IB curriculum known as the Middle Years Program, which includes all the traditional subjects as well as Spanish, Design, Physical Education, Individuals and Societies, Theatre, Music and Visual Arts.
Whitby School
969 Lake Avenue
Greenwich
203-869-8464
whitbyschool.org
Year Founded: 1958
Assistant Head of School: Simone Becker
Enrollment: 412
Student/Teacher Ratio: 5:1
Average Class Size: 12
Tuition: $23,750-$39,800
Open House:
November 5 at 1
Register at whitbyschool.org/openhouse
