Ethical Culture Fieldston School

Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a private, independent school located in New York City, New York, United States. The school was founded by Felix Adler in 1878 as the Workingman's School and later became the Ethical Culture School. It merged with the Fieldston School in 2007 to form the current institution, which is a member of the New York Interschool association. The school is known for its strong emphasis on social justice, community service, and academic excellence, as exemplified by its affiliation with the National Association of Independent Schools and the New York State Association of Independent Schools.

● History

The school's history dates back to 1878 when Felix Adler, a former professor at Columbia University, founded the Workingman's School with the goal of providing education to the working class. The school later became the Ethical Culture School and was known for its progressive approach to education, which emphasized critical thinking, creativity, and social responsibility. In 2007, the school merged with the Fieldston School, which was founded in 1928 by Macy's executive John Purroy Mitchel, to form the current institution. The merger brought together two schools with a shared commitment to academic excellence and social justice, as reflected in their partnerships with organizations like the National Coalition of Girls' Schools and the Independent Schools Association of the Central States.

● Campus

The school's campus is located in the Riverdale neighborhood of The Bronx, New York City, and features state-of-the-art facilities, including a performing arts center, a gymnasium, and a library. The campus is also home to the Fieldston Lower School, which serves students from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade, and the Ethical Culture Fieldston Middle School, which serves students from sixth grade to eighth grade. The school's campus is situated near other prestigious institutions, such as Horace Mann School, Riverdale Country School, and Fordham University, and is a member of the New York City Athletic League and the Ivy Preparatory School League.

● Academics

The school offers a rigorous and well-rounded curriculum that includes courses in English, mathematics, science, social studies, and foreign languages, such as Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese. The school is also known for its strong programs in the arts and humanities, including music, theater, and visual arts, which are supported by partnerships with organizations like the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the Guggenheim Museum. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement courses and participate in programs such as the International Baccalaureate and the National Merit Scholarship Program, which are recognized by institutions like Harvard University, Yale University, and Stanford University.

● Student Life

The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports teams, such as basketball, soccer, and lacrosse, which compete in the New York City Athletic League and the Ivy Preparatory School League. Students can also participate in clubs and organizations, such as the Debate Team, the School Newspaper, and the Community Service Club, which are supported by organizations like the National Forensic League and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. The school also has a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and offers programs and resources to support students from diverse backgrounds, including partnerships with organizations like the National Association of Independent Schools and the People of Color in Independent Schools.

● Notable Alumni

The school has a long list of notable alumni, including Eleanor Roosevelt, Fiorello La Guardia, and Ruth Messinger, who have gone on to attend prestigious institutions like Harvard University, Yale University, and Columbia University. Other notable alumni include business leaders like Michael Bloomberg and Lloyd Blankfein, artists like Richard Avedon and Cy Twombly, and politicians like Mario Cuomo and Andrew Cuomo, who have been recognized by organizations like the Forbes 400 and the Time 100. The school's alumni have also been recognized for their achievements in fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, with many going on to work at top institutions like Google, Microsoft, and NASA, and attending top graduate programs like those at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California Institute of Technology.