Fieldston School

Fieldston School is a private Independent School in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, New York City, founded by Ethical Culture Society of New York in 1878, with a strong emphasis on Progressive Education, similar to Bank Street College of Education and Little Red School House. The school is known for its rigorous academic programs, diverse student body, and commitment to social justice, inspired by the principles of John Dewey and Horace Mann. Fieldston School is a member of the New York State Association of Independent Schools and the National Association of Independent Schools, and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The school's curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, creativity, and community engagement, with a focus on Experiential Education, similar to Outward Bound and National Outdoor Leadership School.

● History

The history of Fieldston School dates back to 1878, when it was founded by Felix Adler as the Workingman's School, with the goal of providing education to the children of Working Class families, inspired by the principles of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Over the years, the school has undergone several transformations, including a merger with the Ethical Culture School in 1928, and a relocation to its current campus in Riverdale in 1932, with the support of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Nelson Rockefeller. The school has a long tradition of promoting social justice and community service, with many notable alumni going on to become leaders in fields such as Civil Rights Movement, Feminist Movement, and Environmental Movement, including Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Rachel Carson. Fieldston School has also been influenced by the ideas of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Immanuel Kant, and John Stuart Mill, and has a strong connection to institutions such as Columbia University, New York University, and University of California, Berkeley.

● Campus

The Fieldston School campus is situated on a 17-acre site in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, with a mix of modern and historic buildings, including the iconic Fieldston Building, designed by Architectural Firm Delano & Aldrich, and the state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center, inspired by the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright and I.M. Pei. The campus is also home to a variety of athletic facilities, including a Swimming Pool, Tennis Courts, and a Soccer Field, as well as a Garden and a Nature Preserve, with a focus on Sustainability and Environmental Education, similar to The Nature Conservancy and World Wildlife Fund. The school's campus is within walking distance of the Hudson River and the Van Cortlandt Park, providing opportunities for outdoor education and recreation, with connections to institutions such as New York Botanical Garden and American Museum of Natural History.

● Academics

Fieldston School offers a rigorous and well-rounded academic program, with a focus on Critical Thinking, Creativity, and Community Engagement, inspired by the principles of Howard Gardner and Daniel H. Pink. The school's curriculum includes a range of courses in subjects such as English Literature, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, as well as Foreign Languages such as Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese, with a focus on Cultural Competence and Global Citizenship, similar to International Baccalaureate and United Nations. Fieldston School also offers a variety of Electives and Independent Study options, allowing students to pursue their interests and passions, with connections to institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and University of Oxford.

● Student Life

Student life at Fieldston School is vibrant and diverse, with a range of extracurricular activities and clubs, including Sports Teams such as Basketball, Soccer, and Volleyball, as well as Music Ensembles and Theater Productions, inspired by the works of William Shakespeare and Leonard Bernstein. The school also has a strong commitment to community service, with many students participating in Volunteer Work and Service Learning projects, with connections to organizations such as American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and Doctors Without Borders. Fieldston School has a diverse student body, with students from a range of backgrounds and cultures, and a strong sense of community and inclusivity, inspired by the principles of Martin Buber and Jean-Paul Sartre.

● Notable Alumni

Fieldston School has a long list of notable alumni, including Politicians such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Robert F. Kennedy, Artists such as Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock, and Writers such as Allen Ginsberg and Sylvia Plath, as well as Activists such as Malcolm X and Gloria Steinem. Other notable alumni include Business Leaders such as Michael Bloomberg and George Soros, Scientists such as Stephen Jay Gould and Rosalind Franklin, and Entertainers such as Barbra Streisand and Woody Allen, with connections to institutions such as Harvard University, Yale University, and Columbia University. Fieldston School's alumni have gone on to make significant contributions in a wide range of fields, and the school is proud of its tradition of fostering creativity, critical thinking, and community engagement, inspired by the principles of Aristotle and Plato. Category:Private schools in New York City