Seize the Challenge
The Masters School expects students to take an active role in their own education and embrace the life of the mind.

“Discussion, expression, and communication are very important at The Masters School – both at the Harkness table and in everyday life.”
Yasmin ’06, Switzerland

“The Harkness method incorporates many different media, many different methods of learning, many different kinds of information and assimilates them into a multi -dimensional, interesting, and deep perspective which every student in the class feels.”
Emily ’08, New York

Teaching Lessons that Endure
Faculty at The Masters School are committed to excellence in scholarship – and to the academic and personal success of each student.

“The School has been successful in attracting and retaining a faculty of distinction. They truly know the students as individuals and are able to challenge them beyond their comfort zones. The students, therefore, take risks and explore their passions in a way that you don’t generally see with teenagers. The faculty is also engaged in curricular innovation that engages students at the deepest levels of critical and creative thinking.”
Maureen Fonseca, Ph.D., Head of School

“Our faculty works hard to build academic programs that encourage intellectual curiosity, social responsibility, and personal fulfillment. The goal is to equip our students with the tools to function effectively in the world and promote a lifelong love of learning.”
Chris Goulian, Academic Dean

“We want to help the students grow. We want them to be independent. We want them to be responsible. We want them to be thoughtful and to care about other people. And that is what we do in the dorm. That is what we teach them all the time. We’re a family.”
Nancy Gormley, Science Teacher and Dorm Director

Savor the Quiet Beauty of Campus-and the Energy of New York City
Located on 96 magnificent acres overlooking the Hudson River, The Masters School offers a safe learning environment – and one of the few boarding school experiences in close proximity to New York City.

“New York has every opportunity possible. You can find everything in the arts. If you are studying art history or drawing class at The Masters School, it’s wonderful to be able to take a train and go to the Metropolitan Museum or the Museum of Modern Art and see works of art and apply what you’ve just seen in school.”
Samantha ’07, California

“Weekends are always a blast at The Masters School! Our student activities club is extremely active and helps plan everything from movie trips and open dorms to all boarder trips to sports events and shows during the community weekends. Because of the wide range of activities you don’t want to leave campus. The fact that we are so close to NYC is also great because we can take advantage of all the cultural opportunities the city provides.”
Connie ’06, New Hampshire

Life on Campus: Pick your Passion
Life at The Masters School brims with opportunities for having fun, making friends, developing talents, and growing in physical strength and skill.

“The Masters School gives inspirations for dreams and things that you might want to do for the rest of your life. Once you have found that passion, once you have identified that goal, that dream, the faculty do everything that they can to foster it and help it grow and help you do whatever it is you want to do.”
James ’06, New York

“The Masters School is unique because you don’t feel compelled to fit a mold. Because everything is available to you, you can pursue your own interests.”
Matt ’08, New York

“Students at The Masters School are able to express themselves in whatever way they want, whether it’s arts, sports, or academics. We come together as one and express ourselves as one. That’s why we have so much pride in our school.”
Darwin ’07, New York

Values: Explore and Live Your Beliefs
Since its founding in 1877, The Masters School has placed a strong emphasis on values.

“Juggling volunteer activities with schoolwork keeps me on my toes and makes me feel good about myself and the people I am helping.”
Laura Marie ’05, New York

Culture: Come as You Are
The School’s diverse community is characterized by a deep respect for each person. Students feel free to take risks, find their passions, and be themselves.

“I have learned a lot, both in and out of the classroom and from students and teachers from as far away as California and Kenya.”
Lubomir ’06, Bulgaria

“Frequently, a leader at The Masters School is not the student who excels across the board; it is the student who has the capacity to bring out the best in the people around him or her. With that said, all students have the ability to affect change. The community government and various leadership roles are not the only vehicles for making a difference at The Masters School. The collective student voice has always been a cornerstone of the School.”
-Alyssa ’06, New York

“The Harkness table experience has helped me evolve from the student who sits in the back and never says anything to one who thinks critically, questions all aspects of study, and contributes to class discussions. Now I feel comfortable sharing my ideas and expressing my opinions to any person or group of people.”
Mallory ’04

“The Masters School does a lot to promote critical thinking. Our teachers are always willing to challenge us and question our assumptions. And the sheer diversity of backgrounds and opinions among students fosters an environment of open inquiry.”
Brian ’04

“My home is 3,000 miles away, so I’ve grown to be very independent. I’ve also learned how to manage my time well and how to greet, meet, love, care, and share with others.”
Alicia ’04

“I enjoy the fact that The Masters School is close to New York City, and the village of Dobbs Ferry is right down the hill. It’s great to head off campus to enjoy the movies, restaurants, and your friends; most things are just a short ride away.”
Marcus ’05

“There are no cliques here. My friends are athletes, artists, musicians, and dramatists, and they come from lots of different backgrounds. It has been important for me to see how people with such different interests can get along so well.”
Jessica ’04

“Last winter I composed a piano solo piece and played it for the school community at morning meeting. I felt like I’d accomplished something wonderful and was thrilled that I could share something so personal with so many people.”
Nathan ’04

“The coaches connect personally with each individual on the team. They’re not only your coaches, but also your friends, and you can always talk to them when you need advice.”
Bing ’05