The Fieldston School High School

If I had it to do all over again, I would not have sent my child to this school. The academics have gone down hill, as the school tries to become more and more progressive. They currently don't have finals in any class in HS, instead they make posters -- even in science classes. I don't consider this to be a rigorous "college prep" school anymore.
--Submitted by a parent

Liberal and atheistic and bery expensive-the quality of education here has gone down greatly over the years and the teachers are burned out,
--Submitted by a parent

The school likes to call itself 'progressive,' but it's not. And that's just fine! I like the school the way it is. The school also has a reputation for hippie-artsy-drugsy-ness but it IS very strong in academics! It also makes sure that it meets the students needs ex:. 4 different levels of math, many language choices, etc.
--Submitted by a student

I graduated last year from Fieldston, having attended since kindergarten at Ethical Culture. I cannot express how grateful I am to have received an education there, as I feel that I was not only nurtured as a student but as a thinker, and generally fostered an interest in, what I can only assume will be lifelong learning. Fieldston really allowed me to find my niche with its fantastic art department, as well as teachers who can only be described as magnificent. Fieldston combines the incredible academics of Horace Mann with an attention to developing a person as a whole, rather than someone whose only passion in life is entrance to an Ivy League university. I could probably write for hours about my love for Fieldston--I can't recommend it enough.
--Submitted by a student

My daughter is a recent graduate of Fieldston high school. She received a first rate education there, but also flourished there socially, athletically and artistically. Fieldston offers a wealth of opportunities beyond the classroom with a gorgeous campus that includes state of the art athletic facilities and performance/visual art spaces. Academics are intense, not so much due to the workload but to the expectations of the teachers who push their students to think. Teachers are accessible and are more than willing to work on independent projects with students as well as provide extra help. Students are supportive of one another and there is a collegial atmosphere. It is a rigorous place, and students are expected to rise to the challenge. Students here are very well prepared for college, and the college counseling is excellent and absolutely top notch.
--Submitted by a parent

Though many would beg to differ because of it's liberalism, Fieldston in under-ratedly the most rigorous of the 'ivy league' high schools. It demands an incredible work load from all of its students not to mention the intensive classes move at a pace more rapid then the majority of the other schools such as Trinity's honors classes. All this rigor is done in an environment focused on student leadership and world/ self awareness. The emphasis is on individual motivation and learning rather than grades or test scores, as is evident by the abolishment of AP's withstanding a curriculum that provides classes that are equally if not more advance then those adhering to that of the AP curriculum. This also allows teachers, many of whom have PHDS to teach to their areas of expertise rather than teaching to a test.
--Submitted by a student

Academically rigorous; but teachers really teach and care about student progress. Many teachers are world class. Class sizes are very small; programs are very individualized. Writing is emphasized. Exceptionally good theater and music programs. Diverse for a new york private school and diverse students are made very welcome.
--Submitted by a parent

A liberal school compared to Riverdale Country and Horace Mann. Kids probably don't study as hard because it's less of a rat race. Good side is that you can still get in to all the best colleges if you have Horace Mann study habits.
--Submitted by a former student

The teachers are very caring. The college placement is amazing, very good. The atmosphere is one of extreme wealth and liberalism. If you don't have the wealth or the liberal outlook, a kid will feel out of place at this school. These are millionaires' kids. The few poor kids admitted for window dressing don't form lifelong friendships with the upper class elite majority of this school, sad to say. The arts and English are stong points, while math and science are weaker. The sports program is quite good.
--Submitted by a parent

Fieldston is an outstanding school. Though some departments are weaker than others overall I am very glad that was the high school I attended. The parents tend to be involved but not the overbearing constantly involved parents that don't give their children the space to blossom and grow. The campus is absolutely beautiful though some renevations are soon to occur and those seem to be a tiny bit controversial. At Fieldston is a world of oppertunity in extracurricular activities. It was amazing that going in to eighth grade I had a choice of 13 different arts choices. There is also a wealth of different history and english courses as well but those are only available in high school not middle school. There are many wonderful options at fieldston which in my opinion makes any fieldston graduate completely ready to graduate college with quite a bit of ease.
--Submitted by a former student