Discover the Discover the
BIRCH WATHEN BIRCH WATHEN LENOX LENOX MIDDLE SCHOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL
BWL by the
4:1
Numbers
95%
Our 4:1 studentfaculty ratio is among the best offered by comparable schools.
95% of faculty members hold advanced degrees.
350 350 total students across K–12 85 in Lower School 65 in Middle School 200 in Upper School
38% 38% of students receive financial aid.
40 40 Upper School club offerings for the 2025–2026 school year, often added based on student interest.
BWL
55:45 55% male students 45% female students
11 11 interscholastic sports
34% Students of color make up approximately 34% of our student body.
Dear Future Lion Family, Middle School is a time of tremendous growth. It’s a time when curiosity deepens, independence takes root, and new ideas begin to shape how students see themselves and the world. At BWL, we believe this journey should be fueled by excitement, not pressure, and guided by teachers who both challenge and care for their Middle School students. Here, learning is about more than academics. Our students are encouraged to question assumptions, to take intellectual risks, and to develop their own voices. They learn not just to think critically, but also to listen generously, as these are the skills that prepare them to thrive in high school and far beyond. What families value most is the sense of belonging our community provides. In these formative years, when confidence and friendships matter so deeply, BWL offers a place where students are known and celebrated as individuals. It is a community anchored in respect and kindness, yet alive with the innovation and opportunities of New York City. We are honored to partner with parents through this important chapter of your child’s education, and I look forward to the possibility of welcoming your family to BWL. Warmly,
Bill Kuhn Head of School
"Our daughter is thriving in Middle School! She is challenged academically while also being supported by teachers who truly know her and care about her. She is finding her independence, has a great group of friends, and is excited for school every day. As her parents, we also appreciate that she has access to unique opportunities like the Billion Oyster Project, and we are really looking forward to her participating in the Middle School Entrepreneurship program. We deeply value the balance of strong academics, creativity, and community that defines BWL. We couldn’t ask for a better school for our children!" —Parent of Middle School Student
Dear Future Middle School Family, Welcome to the Middle School at Birch Wathen Lenox. These years are a time of tremendous growth for young people, and our program is designed to guide students through this important stage with purpose, care, and excitement. In our classrooms, learning comes alive through open inquiry and constructive dialogue. Students are encouraged to question thoughtfully, debate respectfully, and listen generously, developing both confidence and empathy. Each year, for example, students debate who gets to decide what a library offers. They consider different perspectives, weigh competing priorities, and use evidence to support their positions while remaining open to other viewpoints. Our students tackle rigorous academics in ways that feel engaging rather than pressured, and they discover their own passions along the way. When our entrepreneurship students were asked to solve a real problem, several teams chose the lost pencil and invented everything from engraved cases to retractable tethers. Beyond the classroom, students take part in trips, service projects, and extracurricular activities that build confidence and friendships. Whether on a ropes course or exploring a museum, they learn to rely on and learn from one another, and those are the stories they continue to tell all year. What makes BWL truly distinctive is how well our students are known. In the midst of a big city, our Middle School feels personal and close-knit. Within days of the start of this school year, a parent shared, "Everyone already knows my kid." Teachers guide students with care while encouraging independence, and students learn to do the same for each other. Recently, one student checked that a classmate was able to follow along during group work, then invited another classmate into every game at recess. No one asked them to, and it’s proof that core values of integrity, loyalty, and civility are expressed in countless ways every day. I look forward to welcoming your family and showing you how Birch Wathen Lenox Middle School helps students thrive as learners and as young people finding their place in the world. Warmly,
Guido Sanchez Director of Middle School
BALANCE THAT BUILDS BRILLIANCE
High Expectations. Individual Attention. A Strong Sense of Belonging. BWL Middle School students are challenged academically, supported individually, and valued as members of a close-knit community. For a hundred years, we have taught what a 1927 Lenox graduate called lifemanship: meet the sticky moments, lift your chin, and carry on. Rigor, With Support At BWL, academic rigor is matched by individualized support. Teachers challenge students to think deeply, drawing on evidence-based practices, an understanding of adolescent development, and each student's learning profile.
Integrity, Loyalty, Civility Students meet with their advisors four times a week, guided by our three core values: Integrity is being kind to the truth. Loyalty is being kind to your people. Civility is being kind to people who aren't your people yet. Students who demonstrate these values earn ILC Awards and House points, helping build a community where everyone feels respected, supported, and included.
Constructive Dialogue Taught at every grade level, Constructive Dialogue helps students express their ideas, consider different perspectives, and engage respectfully with others. Through discussions and debates, students learn to support their positions with evidence, question assumptions, and approach disagreements with curiosity and respect.
Choice and Independence Clubs and electives encourage students to explore their interests and take greater ownership of their experiences. In Entrepreneurship, several teams tackled the problem of lost pencils, developing solutions ranging from engraved cases to retractable clips. Ethics Team, Robotics, Rock Band, athletics, and the school musical offer additional opportunities, while at least one field trip per semester connects each class with New York City's educational and cultural resources.
Time With Teachers Every week, Middle School students have dedicated Tutorial time to meet with teachers and receive academic support. A daily midday block includes Advising, lunch, and recess, while Writing Lab provides individualized guidance to strengthen students' writing skills and confidence.
A Human-Scale School Just days into the school year, a parent commented, “Everyone already knows my kid.” That personal attention is central to BWL. Students turn in their phones at arrival, and screens are used only when they serve an educational purpose. Students learn to use technology, including AI, thoughtfully and ethically, while personal relationships and human connection remain central to their education.
A Week in the Life of Our 6th Grade Sample Schedule
TIME
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
8:15–8:55
French
Math
History
English
French
9:00–9:40
Physical Education
History
English
French
Strategic Mindset
9:45–10:25
History
Art
Health
Vocal Ensemble
History
10:30–11:10
Science
Assembly
Physical Education
Science
Math
11:15–11:55
English
French
Art
Physical Education
English
11:55–12:15
Lunch
12:15–12:35
Recess
12:35–12:55
Advisory
Advisory
Study Hall
Advisory
Study Hall
1:00–1:40
Chess Club
Game Design
Math
Writing Lab
Tutorial
1:45–2:25
Math
Science
Computer Science
Math Olympiad
Computer Science
2:30–3:10
Music
Science
Advisory
Math
To learn more about the Middle School curriculum, visit bwl.org/mscourses or scan the QR code.
A Week in the Life of Our 8th Grade Sample Schedule
TIME
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
8:15–8:55
History
Art
Math
Japanese
Entrepreneurship
9:00–9:40
Science
Math
Japanese
History
Science
9:45–10:25
Science
Physical Education
Computer Science
Science
Math
10:30–11:10
Physical Education
Assembly
English
Vocal Ensemble
Computer Science
11:15–11:55
Japanese
English
Science
Math
Japanese
11:55–12:15
Recess
12:15–12:35
Lunch
12:35–12:55
Advisory
Advisory
Study Hall
Advisory
Study Hall
1:00–1:40
Anime/Manga Club
Leadership
History
Entrepreneurship
Tutorial
1:45–2:25
English
History
Art
Improv Club
Health
2:30–3:10
Math
Writing Lab
Advisory
English
To learn more about the Middle School curriculum, visit bwl.org/mscourses or scan the QR code.
MIDDLE SCHOOL ELECTIVES
Middle School Electives: Expanding Horizons At BWL, learning doesn’t stop with core subjects. Our Middle School Electives program encourages students to dive into areas of curiosity, build real-world skills, and discover new passions. Each elective is a project-based course full of creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. These classes complement the academic program, offering experiences that help students grow as independent thinkers and engaged learners. Electives are designed to be both rigorous and inspiring. Along the way, students gain confidence, sharpen problem-solving skills, and learn the value of committing to a longterm project.
Elective Offerings Urban Agriculture: Students get hands-on experience in our hydroponic garden while learning about plant biology, sustainability, and the future of farming. Game Design: By coding their own games, students combine creativity and logic to design interactive worlds and develop problem-solving skills. Digital Discoveries: Using micro:bits and coding, students create devices like sensors and alarms while learning about data science and real-world applications. Latin: A lively introduction to Latin language and culture that builds vocabulary, strengthens literacy, and connects students to the ancient world. Civics & Ethics: Through projects and debates, students explore justice, equity, and civic responsibility—gaining the tools to become thoughtful changemakers. Entrepreneurship: From idea to execution, students learn how to think like entrepreneurs, working through a structured process with guidance from business leaders. Independent Study: For self-motivated learners, this option allows students to design their own project, pursue personal passions, and present original work at year’s end.
CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE AT BWL
Constructive Dialogue in the Middle School Teaching Students How to Think, Not What to Think Middle School is a time when students begin asking bigger questions, forming stronger opinions, and developing their own perspectives on the world. At BWL, we encourage that intellectual growth by teaching students how to think critically, engage with different viewpoints, and navigate disagreement with confidence, curiosity, and respect. Constructive Dialogue is a core pillar of the BWL educational experience. Woven throughout the curriculum and daily school life, it gives students the tools to ask thoughtful questions, evaluate credible sources, support their ideas with evidence, and listen openly to perspectives that challenge their own. Our goal is to develop independent thinkers who can express their convictions while remaining open to new ideas. In English, students explore differing interpretations through literature circles and Socratic discussions. In history, they examine competing perspectives on significant events. In science, they consider the ethical implications of scientific advances. Advisory provides opportunities to practice these same skills in their relationships, helping students navigate disagreements, understand their peers, and develop the confidence to speak up while making room for others to be heard.
Curiosity. Courage. Complexity. Our developmental approach builds essential skills throughout the Middle School years, with each grade emphasizing a distinct aspect of constructive dialogue.
6th Grade:
7th Grade:
8th Grade:
CURIOSITY
COURAGE
COMPLEXITY
Students practice asking meaningful Students build the confidence to questions, listening to understand, express their ideas, respectfully considering different perspectives, and challenge assumptions, and argue evaluating the reliability of information. positions different from their own, while They develop the habits of thoughtful remaining open to reconsidering their inquiry, learning to approach unfamiliar thinking when presented with new ideas with openness and curiosity. evidence.
Students engage with increasingly nuanced issues through structured debates, research, and peer feedback, learning to weigh competing perspectives and develop balanced, evidence-based arguments.
“Middle School is when students begin testing their ideas and identities. At BWL, I see them grow tremendously as they learn that dialogue isn’t about winning an argument — it’s about listening, reflecting, and discovering new ways of thinking together.” — Middle School Teacher
Real Questions. Thoughtful Conversations. Who should decide which books belong in a public library? How should governments regulate artificial intelligence? How do we balance environmental protection with individual property rights? These are some of the questions BWL Middle School students explore through constructive dialogue. Through classroom discussions, collaborative projects, and schoolwide Dialogue Days, students grapple with complex issues that rarely have simple answers. They research competing perspectives, evaluate the strength of different arguments, and consider how individual rights, community interests, and competing values shape decisions. Students are challenged to look beyond their initial assumptions, defend their positions with credible evidence, and remain open to changing their minds when presented with a compelling argument. In the process, they learn an important distinction: Understanding another person's perspective does not require agreeing with it. They can hold strong convictions while remaining curious, respectful, and willing to engage with ideas different from their own. By the end of 8th grade, BWL students are prepared to speak with confidence, listen with empathy, disagree without dismissing others, and help create an environment where different perspectives can be expressed openly. They enter Upper School ready for increasingly sophisticated discussions, with the intellectual independence, interpersonal skills, and courage to engage thoughtfully with the world around them.
Our Partners To enrich our work, BWL partners with national leaders in dialogue and education, including:
The Social Institute equips students to navigate social media, tech, and well-being in ways that strengthen dialogue and community. The Constructive Dialogue Institute trains faculty and peer leaders in practices that promote deep inquiry and respectful exchange. ConnectED supports critical conversations on history, antisemitism, and global issues with empathy and media literacy. The Mill Institute provides resources that help schools foster open, rigorous discussion on today’s most challenging topics.
BWL
BWL
ENTREPRENEURSHIP ENTREPRENEURSHIP
PROGRAM
PROGRAM
Entrepreneurship at Birch Wathen Lenox is more than a course—it’s a mindset. Students are first introduced to design thinking and creative problem-solving in Middle School, where they learn to approach challenges with curiosity and collaboration. By Upper School, they are ready to move from idea generation to prototypes, launches, and fully operational ventures.
Middle School Entrepreneurship Program: Innovation Starts Here At BWL, entrepreneurial thinking begins before students are ready to launch a business. In 7th and 8th grades, students learn to look at the world differently: to notice problems, ask better questions, imagine solutions, and have the confidence to test their ideas. Through hands-on projects grounded in design thinking and creative problem-solving, students learn how ideas move from “What if?” to something tangible. They consider real customer needs, develop and refine concepts, collaborate in teams, and create, market, and sell products through experiences such as a Pop-Up Marketplace and eCommerce simulation. Just as important is what happens when an idea doesn’t work the first time. Students learn to listen to feedback, adapt their thinking, communicate persuasively, and try again. Presenting their work to peers and faculty builds confidence in both their ideas and their ability to articulate them. By the end of Middle School, students enter BWL’s Upper School entrepreneurship sequence ready for a new challenge: taking the habits and skills they have developed and using them to build something real.
Entrepreneurship Program Advisors
Contessa Brewer
Brian Lancaster
Jayesh Punater
Maggie Sprenger
CNBC Correspondent
Columbia Business School Professor of Finance and Economics, Founder and President of The Minot Group LLC
Founder and CEO of Nucleus DNA, Founder and CEO of Gravitas
NYU Stern Adjunct Professor and Partner at Audere Capital LLC
Upper School Entrepreneurship Program: A Four-Year Journey of Innovation Our Upper School Entrepreneurship Program is a signature offering and a true differentiator among New York City’s independent schools. This selective four-year sequence moves students beyond studying entrepreneurship to actually practicing it: identifying problems worth solving, developing ideas, testing them with real customers, building prototypes, responding to feedback, and ultimately launching and growing their own ventures. Students learn alongside entrepreneurs, investors, and industry professionals who serve as mentors and guest speakers, bringing the realities of building and leading businesses directly into the program. Students put their own ideas in front of these experts, receive candid feedback, ask questions, and make changes based on what they hear. Experiences extend well beyond the classroom, including company visits, the Entrepreneurship Gallery Tour, competitions, and opportunities to pitch before professionals and public audiences. As students progress through the program, the stakes grow. Early coursework builds fluency in creative problem-solving, customer-centered design, finance, marketing, leadership, and project management. In the Incubator, students develop and test minimum viable products with real users, learning firsthand that good ideas rarely emerge perfectly formed. They listen, adapt, rethink, and try again. The annual Future Founders Lab brings that work to a public stage, where students pitch their ventures to a panel of accomplished entrepreneurs and investors and compete for funding to move their ideas forward. Students must make the case for their venture, respond to questions in the moment, and persuade others that their idea is worth backing. The four-year sequence culminates in the Level 4 Accelerator, an immersive capstone in which students take validated concepts and work toward fully operational businesses with guidance from mentors and industry advisors. By graduation, BWL entrepreneurs have done far more than write a business plan. They have created, tested, presented, revised, and built something of their own. Along the way, they develop the judgment, resilience, communication skills, and confidence to navigate uncertainty, skills that will serve them wherever their next ideas take them.
Visit bwl.org/entrepreneurship or scan the QR code for more information.
Previous Entrepreneurship Guest Speakers
Jenny Fleiss
Amy Howe
Thomas Kang
Ben Van Leeuwen
Ezinne Okonkwo
Jack Wilson
Co-Founder of Rent the Runway
Former CEO of FanDuel Group
President of Nex
Co-Founder and CEO of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
Columbia University Entrepreneurship Student
Co-Founder and COO at Eztia
BWL College Counseling
Preparing Students for a Future Beyond BWL Finding the Right Fit Imagine entering the college process already knowing the people who will guide you, understanding what lies ahead, and having had years to explore the question that matters most: What kind of college experience is right for me? At BWL, that preparation can begin as early as 8th grade and steadily builds as students enter Upper School and move closer to the college search. Long before students are building college lists or writing essays, our College Counseling Office is getting to know them and their families, introducing the college landscape, answering questions, and helping students begin to think about their interests, strengths, and goals. Those relationships deepen throughout Upper School, so when the application process becomes more intensive, students approach it with a level of familiarity, self-knowledge, and confidence built over time. That early start is intentional. A strong college process begins well before students create a college list. Our counselors help students develop a deeper understanding of their interests, strengths, aspirations, and evolving sense of purpose. Throughout Upper School, students consider how their academic choices, extracurricular experiences, summer opportunities, and personal growth can help shape the path ahead.
Preparation with Purpose Our programming is carefully designed to meet students and families at each stage of the journey. Early conversations introduce families to the changing college landscape and BWL’s approach, while 9th and 10th graders focus on developing strong academic habits, exploring interests, pursuing meaningful opportunities, and beginning to understand standardized testing and financial aid. By junior year, that foundation allows students to move confidently into the more active phase of the process. Through individual counseling, Junior Seminar, our signature Junior College Trip, college fairs, standardized testing support, and programs such as Inside the Decision Room, students learn how to research colleges, evaluate what matters to them, build balanced lists, and understand how admissions decisions are made. As seniors, students receive consistent, individualized support as they finalize lists, develop essays, complete applications, navigate financial aid, and make decisions. Weekly Senior Seminars, one-on-one and family meetings, and oncampus visits with college representatives provide regular opportunities for guidance and conversation throughout the year.
BWL Classes of 2025 and 2026 College Choices American University Bard College (2) Boston College Boston University (2) Bowdoin College Brown University Bucknell University Carleton University, Ottawa Case Western Reserve University Chapman University College of Charleston College of the Holy Cross Columbia University Cornell University (2) Drew University Elon University (2) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Fairfield University Franklin & Marshall College George Mason University
George Washington University Hamilton College (2) Howard University Lehigh University (4) London South Bank University, UK Miami University (Ohio) Middlebury College Northeastern University (2) Northwestern University Oberlin College Parsons School of Design Penn State University Roberts Wesleyan University Rochester Institute of Technology (2) Royal Veterinary College, University of London Rutgers University Sarah Lawrence College Savannah College of Art & Design Skidmore College Smith College St. John’s University
Stonehill College Swarthmore College Syracuse University (6) Tufts University (2) Tulane University (2) University of Arizona (2) University of Chicago (3) University of Colorado Boulder University of Florida University of Maryland (2) University of Michigan (3) University of Ottawa University of Southern California (2) University of Texas University of Virginia University of Wisconsin (2) Vassar College Villanova University (4) Wake Forest University (2) Washington University in St. Louis
Personalized by Design At the heart of the BWL approach is a simple idea: the college process should begin with the student, not the college list. Because our counselors know their students well, they understand what each student has accomplished at BWL and what they are capable of achieving next. They help students build college lists that reflect the strength of their academic record, their individual talents and accomplishments, and their ambitions for the future. Students are encouraged to aim high and pursue the opportunities their hard work has prepared them for, while thinking carefully about the academic programs, communities, and experiences that will allow them to thrive. Over time, students develop the self-knowledge to recognize what “right fit” means for them and the confidence to pursue colleges that match their aspirations, interests, and accomplishments.
Families are Part of the Journey Parents and guardians are welcomed into the process early as partners. Beginning with College Counseling programming for families, BWL creates intentional opportunities to ask questions, understand what is ahead, and learn how best to support students at each stage. Grade-specific conversations, financial aid workshops, family meetings, and the BWL College Resource Center provide families with information when it is most useful, rather than all at once when application season arrives. This gradual approach helps replace uncertainty with understanding and allows families to move through the process alongside their children with greater confidence.
Prepared. Confident. Excited for What’s Next College admission can be complicated, but we do not believe it has to define a student’s Upper School experience. Our goal is to make the process thoughtful, manageable, and deeply personal, with room for perspective, joy, and even laughter along the way. Years of preparation mean that when the time comes to apply, BWL students know themselves, understand the process, and are ready to pursue ambitious goals. They know how to recognize colleges that offer the opportunities and challenges they are looking for, and they have experienced counselors beside them as they make those choices. Ultimately, we want every student to leave BWL excited about where they are headed and confident that they are ready for everything that comes next.
COLLEGE COUNSELING SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES College Conversations…Unscripted Beginning in 8th grade, informal conversations give families access to the College Counseling team for candid questions about the evolving college landscape and what to expect in the years ahead. Junior College Trip Juniors travel to a range of campuses together, experiencing different college environments firsthand while beginning to picture where they might see themselves. Inside the Decision Room Juniors and families step into the role of admissions officers in an interactive case-study workshop led by representatives from highly selective colleges and universities, gaining firsthand insight into how applications are evaluated and admissions decisions are made. College Essay Bootcamp Before junior year ends, students participate in a three-day College Essay Bootcamp, developing their personal statements and entering senior year with a strong outline or draft in hand. On-Campus College Representative Visits Seniors meet with admissions representatives from colleges and universities right on campus at BWL, giving them the chance to ask questions, explore their options, and build connections. Visit bwl.org/college or scan the QR code for more information.
“College Counseling at BWL has given me so much personal attention and has had my back on so many occasions. Ms. Cohen was genuinely looking out for me throughout the entire process. She was so available to me, and I really took away a lot of her feedback. I’m so grateful I had her in my corner.” — 12th Grade Student
Athletics at BWL Physical Education, Sports, and Athletics at BWL empower students to lead healthy and active lifestyles and hone valuable skills, including sportsmanship, teamwork, and physical fitness, in PE classes, intramural sports, and interscholastic competitions. Students also have access to BWL’s new on-campus Fitness Center. Middle School
Upper School
Beginning in 6th grade, students can participate in afterschool intramural sports, including soccer, volleyball, basketball, and racquet sports, increasing their skill set and encouraging future participation in competitive sports. Students also participate in PE classes three times a week, along with extracurricular athletic activities. For the more competitive student-athlete, interscholastic competition through the Independent School Athletic League (ISAL) is introduced in 7th grade, with teams including soccer, volleyball, cross country, basketball, track, tennis (8th), swimming (8th), and baseball (8th).
Upper School PE classes emphasize the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle with lessons on cardiovascular health, weight training, aerobic fitness, and more, with instruction that encourages positive habits and physical health for a lifetime. Upper School student-athletes compete in the Independent School Athletic League (ISAL). Sports include Boys and Girls Soccer, Girls Volleyball, Boys and Girls Cross Country, Boys and Girls Basketball, coed Swimming, coed Squash, Boys and Girls Track and Field, Boys and Girls Tennis, coed Golf, and Boys Baseball. The school also participates in state-level competitions through the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS).
Visit bwl.org/athletics or scan the QR code for more information.
Arts at BWL Arts are central to the Middle School experience. Through music, theater, and visual arts, students develop skills, discover passions, and gain confidence, while sharing their creativity with the school community. Music Middle School students choose from a variety of music electives, including Vocal Ensemble, Instrumental (violin, viola, cello), and Guitar. Elective options may vary each year. Students perform at the Holiday Concert in December and the Spring Concert in May. Theater During the school day, students may participate in Improvisation & Devised Theater, a weekly class where they learn the fundamentals of improv, create original characters and scenes, and perform them for their peers. These experiences help students build confidence, collaboration skills, and the ability to express themselves creatively. Students have multiple theatrical opportunities each year, including a musical and a spring play or cabaret. All Middle Schoolers are eligible to audition for the winter musical, produced in partnership with the Upper School, with performances at an off-Broadway theater in March. Visual Arts Courses introduce students to drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. Students explore techniques and concepts in a hands-on environment while developing a strong foundation in visual literacy. Art projects are celebrated within the school community, displayed in exhibitions, and often featured in school publications.
STUDENT AND COMMUNITY LIFE
KNOWN. CONNECTED. PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER. At BWL, community is built on the idea that every student should be known well, feel a genuine sense of belonging, and have a meaningful place in the life of their school. In Middle School, these connections are especially important as students navigate new friendships, greater independence, and the challenges of growing up. Teachers and advisors know their students as individuals, offering guidance and support while helping them develop confidence and take greater responsibility for themselves and others. The result is a Middle School where students feel comfortable being themselves, friendships grow across grades, and everyone has opportunities to participate, contribute, and take pride in being part of the BWL community.
THREE HOUSES. ONE COMMUNITY. The House System is a defining part of Middle School life. Every student advising group belongs to the Blue, White, or Green House, bringing students from different grades together through friendly competition, collaborative activities, and school-wide celebrations. Throughout the year, students earn House points, cheer on their teammates, and work toward shared goals, strengthening friendships, school spirit, and connections beyond their own classrooms and friend groups.
FINDING THEIR VOICE AND MAKING THEIR MARK. Middle School is a time when students begin taking greater ownership of their school experience and understanding the role they play in their community. Students expand their passions and interests through cocurricular clubs during the school day and after-school activities. Through Student Council and other leadership opportunities, students can share ideas, represent their classmates, and help shape school life. Leadership also happens in everyday moments: welcoming a new classmate, supporting a friend, contributing to a group effort, or stepping forward to help.
CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND BEYOND Working with our Service-Learning Coordinator and community partners, Middle School students participate in service initiatives throughout the year, including K–12 student-organized initiatives. As part of the advisory program, each grade partners with a local organization to better understand community needs, take meaningful action, and reflect on their experiences. These experiences help students develop empathy, recognize needs in their community, and understand the value of helping others.
THE MOMENTS WE SHARE Some of the best memories of Middle School are made when students come together outside their regular classroom routines. Field Day brings out friendly competition and House pride, while the Holiday Arts Festival gives students a chance to perform for and celebrate their classmates. Parents Association-led bake sales, LIONSKATE!, our annual family ice skating party, and other seasonal celebrations give students and families opportunities to connect, have fun, and enjoy school traditions together. The BWL Parents Association and its Cultural Alliances also bring families together through celebrations of the many cultures and traditions represented in our community, including Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Lunar New Year, Rosh Hashanah Celebration, and more. These shared experiences give students something to look forward to throughout the year and create the memories and friendships that make the Middle School years even more special.
Clubs and
Activities
Our Middle School students participate in a variety of clubs and activities that supplement and enhance their classroom experience. Offerings are added regularly based on student interest. Some activities take place during the day, while others take place before or after school. All students participate in at least one club per term; not all clubs run every term. Previous offerings have included: Anime/Manga Club Board Game Club Chess Club Ethics Team Explorer’s Club Film Club Geography Club Green Team Improv Club Intramural Sports (5th and 6th grades) Jewelry-Making Club Literary Magazine Club Math Olympiad Middle School Mentors Middle School Rock Band Neighborhood Excursion Club Poetry Club Robotics Song Lab Spelling Bee Club Student Council Walk and Draw Club
LEARNING
BWL Learning Partners AND and Collaborators COLLABORATORS PARTNERS
Classroom oysters give our Middle School students hands-on learning experience with marine life.
Extending Learning Beyond Our Walls Education doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Through partnerships with leading hospitals, universities, cultural institutions, and nonprofits, our students connect with experts who add real-world knowledge to their learning. These collaborations enrich our curriculum, expand perspectives, and prepare students to thrive in a rapidly changing world and to lead with knowledge, empathy, and confidence.
Partnership Highlights Billion Oyster Project Middle School students cultivate oysters in our classroom aquariums, collecting data on the oysters and performing hands-on fieldwork at our dedicated research station. These oysters are eventually transplanted into the New York City waterways as natural filtration systems and much-needed boosters of biodiversity.
UNC–Chapel Hill Middle School students explore the Teens and Tech curriculum on how technology shapes brain development. Upper School students collaborate with neuroscientists on research projects and serve on the Teen Advisory Board.
Weill Cornell Medicine Through the Integrative Health & Wellbeing Center, families access expert nutrition guidance, yoga and mindfulness programs, wellness forums, and ongoing health resources.
American Jewish Committee (AJC) AJC helps BWL foster inclusion, strengthen civic education, and build resilience against antisemitism. It was a key partner in the 2025 Constructive Dialogue Summit.
ConnectED ConnectED supports respectful dialogue around the Israeli-Palestinian story, antisemitism, and Jewish history. It equips students and faculty with skills in empathy and media literacy.
The Social Institute The Social Institute provides a gamified platform that empowers students to navigate social media, technology, and well-being. It supports BWL’s commitment to Constructive Dialogue.
For a complete listing of BWL’s Learning Partners and Collaborators, visit bwl.org/partners
“I started at BWL in 6th grade, and it was the best decision. My parents think so too. I feel so much happier here, and there are lots of clubs, and sports, and volunteer opportunities to get involved in—things I never thought of doing. I definitely feel like I belong. My teachers really know me, and I feel like people care about what I think and how I feel. I don’t know—I’m just really happy here!” —8th Grade Student
EXCEL at BWL The EXCEL Program at BWL is an innovative program designed to provide targeted executive functioning support for our students in grades 6–12. This is a comprehensive initiative to develop the students’ executive functioning skills around attention, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. The program matches each student with a state-licensed educator trained in executive functioning. They work closely with their students to cultivate positive habit-building of executive functioning skills and strategies for organization, time management, task initiation, planning and prioritizing, sustained attention, and flexible thinking.
Key Features of the Program: Individual Coaching: Each student will be paired with a dedicated EXCEL Learning Specialist who will meet with them individually twice weekly to teach executive functioning skills and strategies tailored to the student’s personal learning needs. Academic Lab/Small Group Sessions: Academic Lab groups meet up to three times per week. During these small group sessions, students practice using the executive functioning strategies learned during their 1:1 session with greater independence, with the support of an EXCEL Learning Specialist. Explicit and Integrated Teaching: During these instructional sessions, the student's teacher will explicitly teach executive functioning strategies utilizing research-based instructional models that target a specific area of need, such as attention, working memory, or cognitive flexibility. These strategies are taught as the student progresses through the BWL curriculum. Personalized Strategy Document: As each student progresses through the program, they will compile learned strategies in a strategy document to reference for future use. Collaborative Approach: The strategies developed and practiced during instructional sessions will be shared with all stakeholders, ensuring a collaborative effort to support growth. Habit Formation: Through consistent practice during sessions, the student will gradually integrate these strategies into their routine until they become habitual, promoting long-term success. Admission to EXCEL is by application only. A separate application is required. Students applying for the EXCEL program will not receive financial aid for any portion of their tuition.
Visit bwl.org/excel or scan the QR code for more information.
“My son is very motivated to do well and sees the results when he puts in the effort. He has much more willingness to seek out help for his work within school from his teachers and out-of-school resources. He also appreciates having time in the school day and during the week to review and work on assignments and strategies.” —Parent of 10th Grade EXCEL Student
Parents Association
The BWL Parents Association is an enthusiastic force that supports the mission, efforts, and goals of the administration, faculty, staff, and student body. BWL is fortunate to have the involvement of dedicated and committed parents who enhance the relationship between home and school. Upon enrollment, all parents are granted membership in the Parents Association. With membership comes the opportunity to serve in parent leadership positions, such as committee chairs, class representatives, or event volunteers. The Parents Association strengthens the school in many ways by hosting and supporting these efforts: Athletics Bake Sales Community Service Cultural Alliances Faculty and Staff Appreciation LIONSKATE! Family Skating Party Multicultural Activities New Family Liaison Parents in Action (PIA) Liaison Performing Arts Robotics Spirit Shop Spring Benefit Spring Fair Volunteer Coordinator
Visit bwl.org/pa or scan the QR code for more information.
“As a senior about to graduate, I can honestly say that BWL has prepared me for what’s next. I was accepted to my top-choice school, and I feel so ready for college. I’m grateful to my teachers and everyone who helped me reach my goals and who had a part in creating the incredible experience I had at BWL.” —12th Grade Student
210 East 77th Street New York, NY 10075 www.BWL.org admissions@gbwl.org
The Birch Wathen Lenox School admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.