Discover the Discover the
BIRCH WATHEN BIRCH WATHEN LENOX LENOX UPPER SCHOOL UPPER 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 club offerings for the 2025–2026 school year, often added based on student interest.
55:45
BWL
34% Students of color make up approximately 34% of our student body.
55% male students 45% female students
11 11 interscholastic sports
Dear Future Lion Family, Upper School is a time of transformation. It is when students step fully into independence, refine their passions, and begin to imagine the lives they will lead beyond graduation. At BWL, we believe this chapter should be marked by purpose and possibility—guided by teachers who both challenge and mentor their students as they prepare for what comes next. Central to this experience is our commitment to cultivating thoughtful, respectful discourse. We introduce students to a range of perspectives and teach them to express their own ideas with clarity and confidence. This work is never political—it is deeply principled, rooted in the timeless values of curiosity, kindness, and intellectual integrity. In every classroom, we aim to teach students how to think, not what to think, nurturing not just scholars, but conscientious, articulate citizens ready to lead lives of meaning and impact. Here, learning is not only about academic rigor—though that remains central. It is about building resilience, self-awareness, and the capacity to engage constructively with complexity. Our students learn to reason fearlessly, to communicate with clarity, and to lead with both confidence and humility. These are the qualities that prepare them not only for college, but for life in a dynamic and interconnected world. What families value most is that their children are seen and supported as individuals. In these pivotal years, as young people define their identities and chart their own paths, BWL offers a community that celebrates their talents, respects their voices, and equips them to thrive. It is a place where tradition and innovation meet—where students grow into thoughtful, capable young adults eager to make their mark. We are honored to walk alongside families through this exciting stage of their children’s journey, and I look forward to the possibility of welcoming your family to BWL. Warmly,
Bill Kuhn Head of School
“The environment at BWL is such a safe and loving one. I was welcomed on the tour with compassion and kindness, and since then, everyone has shown me that same energy. I have formed such close bonds with teachers and coaches, and branched out more as a student and person. It is my first year at BWL, and I wouldn’t want to be at any other school. Birch Wathen Lenox genuinely feels like one big family, and that is why I love it here.” —9th Grade Student
Dear Future Upper School Lion, Moving up to the Upper School is a big step, and it’s one you are ready for. These next four years will be filled with new opportunities, fresh challenges, and plenty of moments that will help you discover who you are and who you want to become. You’ll find classes that push you to think in new ways. Maybe you’ll dive into Democracy and Dissent, where you’ll debate free speech and democracy with the same intensity you bring to a game or contest. Or maybe you’ll work on a real research project with scientists at Weill Cornell, exploring how the brain works. You might even start your own venture in the Entrepreneurship Program, turning an idea into something real. And through our Constructive Dialogue program, you’ll learn how to ask tough questions, engage with different perspectives, listen with intent to learn, and sharpen your voice in ways that will serve you for life. The Upper School is also about experiences beyond the classroom. You’ll join teams, clubs, and productions. You’ll travel across New York City to museums, performances, and cultural landmarks, using the city as your extended classroom. You’ll take on leadership roles and discover how to make your voice heard while also listening to others with respect. What makes BWL different is that here your voice truly matters. More than not getting lost in a large school or class, you will be seen, heard, and engaged in every class and community experience. Our size means teachers know you well, classmates become real collaborators, and you are encouraged to contribute in ways that shape both your own learning and the life of our school. I can’t wait to see you in the Upper School hallways, ready to take on everything ahead. You’ve got this, and we’ve got you. Warmly,
Mr. Salgado Associate Director of Upper School Dean of Student Engagement
UPPER SCHOOL ACADEMIC CONCENTRATIONS
GO DEEPER. MAKE CONNECTIONS. BUILD YOUR OWN PATH. BWL’s Academic Concentrations give Upper School students the opportunity to turn a serious interest into a sustained academic and experiential pathway. Students may choose to pursue a Concentration that connects advanced coursework with hands-on experiences, independent research, creative work, competitions, leadership, and other opportunities beyond the classroom. Rather than exploring an interest through a single class, students can build on it over several years. A student interested in neuroscience might pair advanced science coursework with research or an internship. A writer can develop their craft in the classroom while taking on an editorial role in a student publication and submitting work beyond BWL. A student drawn to robotics can move between computer science, engineering, and the collaborative challenge of FIRST Robotics competition. Each pathway is different, but the goal is the same: to give students the structure and support to pursue what interests them with greater depth, intention, and independence.
A PATHWAY WITH PURPOSE Academic Concentrations are built around a combination of coursework and applied experiences, with opportunities for independent research, projects, performances, competitions, internships, leadership, and fieldwork depending on the concentration. Students work toward clearly defined requirements while making choices within their area of interest. The result is an academic experience that is both structured and highly personal. Students see how ideas connect across courses, put their knowledge to work in authentic settings, and develop a body of work that reflects their initiative, growth, and achievement.
By senior year, students who successfully complete their requirements earn a formal Concentration designation on their BWL diploma. Their work is also documented in a Concentration Profile, which is sent to colleges with the counselor recommendation. The profile provides additional context about the concentration’s requirements, the student’s relevant coursework, and the depth of their academic and experiential work. In this way, a Concentration tells a larger story: not simply what a student studied, but what they chose to pursue, how they engaged with it, and where that interest took them.
Visit bwl.org/concentrations or scan the QR code for more information.
NINE PATHWAYS. ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES. BWL offers nine Academic Concentrations, reflecting the wide range of interests our students bring to the Upper School.
CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Through history, philosophy, international relations, rhetoric, and other humanities courses, students examine complex ideas and engage thoughtfully across differences. They also take on leadership through debate, putting free speech and constructive dialogue into practice within the school community.
Students connect quantitative and technical coursework with participation in BWL’s four-year Entrepreneurship Program. They develop ideas, create and test ventures, and build leadership experience through Business and Finance clubs, putting entrepreneurial thinking into practice.
Advanced science coursework is paired with hands-on environmental work. Students may participate in field research, take leadership roles in the Environmental Club, or serve as teaching assistants for BWL’s Billion Oyster Project and Lower School Hydroponic and Aquaponic Farm projects.
HISTORY
NEUROSCIENCE AND STEM
PERFORMING ARTS
Students pursue advanced study across American, global, political, and contemporary history while analyzing evidence, constructing arguments, and conducting research. Experiential opportunities include advanced humanities research, debate, and partnerships with cultural institutions.
Students pursue advanced study in neuroscience, biology, physics, calculus, computer science, anatomy and physiology, and related fields. Research opportunities, including the Advanced Research Seminar and internships with institutions such as Northwell Health and Weill Cornell, extend scientific exploration beyond the classroom.
Students develop their craft through courses in theater, acting, directing, audition skills, and performance while taking an active role in BWL theatrical productions. Opportunities extend to acting, stagecraft, student-directed work, musical performance, and original creative projects.
ROBOTICS
VISUAL ARTS
WRITING
Students combine engineering, computer science, statistics, and design thinking with the challenge of competitive robotics. Participation in BirchBots, BWL’s FIRST Robotics Competition team, allows students to apply technical knowledge through collaborative design, building, testing, and competition.
Students deepen their artistic practice and understanding through advanced studio art, photography, AP Art History, and independent study. Their concentration culminates in opportunities to create, curate, exhibit, and critically engage with art.
Writers develop their voices through creative, analytical, and researchbased work while gaining publication experience. Students take on editorial roles in Range, Clarion, or the Yearbook, submit work to outside journals and competitions, and pursue original museum-based research.
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM: CONCENTRATIONS IN ACTION Concentrations extend beyond the classroom through partnerships, research, internships, competitions, performances, and other hands-on experiences. Students apply their interests in real-world settings, working with professionals and institutions throughout New York and beyond. Two museum partnerships offer a closer look at Concentrations in action. MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK RESEARCH PROGRAM
PARRISH ART MUSEUM FELLOWSHIP
Through a BWL-facilitated application process, selected Upper School students participate in a research experience with the Museum of the City of New York, connecting particularly closely with the History, Writing, and Constructive Dialogue Concentrations.
Through the BWL–Parrish Art Museum Fellowship, selected Upper School students travel to the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill, New York, for an experience that brings together art, history, writing, research, and creative practice.
Students gain behind-the-scenes access to the museum and work with curators, staff, exhibitions, archives, and primary sources as they develop original research inspired by New York City's history.
Following a guided visit with a museum professional, each Fellow selects a single artwork as the focus of an independent project. Students may respond by creating an original work accompanied by written analysis or by producing an arthistorical review, giving them the freedom to approach their subject through either creative or research-based inquiry.
The experience begins with a visit to the museum, where students meet the research team, explore available resources, and develop the questions that will guide their work. As their projects evolve, students experience research as historians and museum professionals do: following evidence, refining questions, interpreting sources, and considering how scholarship can be communicated to a wider audience. Their research may even contribute to future exhibitions or educational programming, offering students a rare opportunity to see how academic inquiry can become public scholarship.
Fellows meet twice monthly with a BWL faculty advisor as they develop their projects, while a student Fellowship Curator helps shape the group's shared theme and contributes to the publication's vision. Completed work is featured in the Spring issue of Range magazine. The Fellowship gives students the opportunity to engage closely with a major cultural institution while strengthening the skills at the heart of Concentration study: independent inquiry, sustained research, critical analysis, creative thinking, and the ability to develop an idea into a polished final work.
EMERGING PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES BWL continues to expand opportunities for students to extend their Concentration work. Emerging partnerships include:
BWL students receive behind-the-scenes access to the Museum of the City of New York through immersive research experiences and special events.
Ace Mentor Program of Greater New York Alley Pond Environmental Center Brooklyn Botanic Garden YouthBridge-NY Project Rousseau Carter Burden Network
CONCENTRATIONS AS A FOUNDATION FOR WHAT COMES NEXT A Concentration gives students the opportunity to take an interest further—to study it in greater depth, pursue ambitious work, and build experiences around what excites them most. By graduation, students may have conducted original research, published their writing, competed with the BirchBots, developed a business venture, interned in a medical setting, exhibited original artwork, taken the stage, or worked alongside professionals at leading cultural institutions. The result is an Upper School experience shaped in part by each student’s own interests and ambitions. Students graduate with deeper knowledge in a field they care about, meaningful work they can point to with pride, and the confidence that comes from seeing how far an idea or interest can take them. The Concentration designation on a BWL diploma recognizes that commitment: years of focused study, initiative, and achievement.
“My son has a strong interest in pursuing a career in medicine, and BWL has given him invaluable opportunities to explore that passion. He’s part of the Neuroscience and STEM concentration, and the courses, research, and experiential opportunities have not only deepened his interest but also helped him reflect on his goals and discover new possibilities in the field. These experiences strengthened his college applications and gave him the knowledge and confidence to share his story with clarity and purpose.” —Parent of 12th Grade Student
CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE AT BWL
CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE IN THE UPPER SCHOOL LEARNING TO THINK INDEPENDENTLY, SPEAK WITH CONVICTION, AND ENGAGE WITH CURIOSITY AND COURAGE.
Constructive Dialogue is one of BWL’s core educational commitments, shaping how students think, learn, and engage with one another. In the Upper School, students are challenged to examine their assumptions, evaluate evidence, engage seriously with perspectives different from their own, and remain intellectually open even when they feel strongly about an issue. BWL’s purpose is not to tell students what to think. It is to give them the knowledge, habits, and humility to think for themselves.
INDEPENDENT THINKING, OPEN INQUIRY Upper School students engage with complex, contested, and consequential questions in classrooms where open inquiry is encouraged, and evidence matters. They learn to distinguish fact from opinion, evaluate competing claims, recognize bias and limitations in sources, and make strong arguments without misrepresenting opposing views. Just as importantly, they learn that changing their minds in response to stronger evidence is a sign of intellectual strength.
BUILT INTO THE UPPER SCHOOL EXPERIENCE Constructive Dialogue is not confined to a single course. It runs throughout the curriculum and student life, including seminar discussions, research projects, Debate, Model United Nations, assemblies, independent study, and conversations about current events. The Upper School experience begins with Foundations of Constructive Dialogue in 9th grade and continues through courses including Dialogue Across Difference, Democracy and Dissent, Modern Crossroads: Middle Eastern History, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Ethics and Philosophy, International Relations, AP United States History, and AP Comparative Government. Students can deepen this work through Independent Study, and the Upper School Concentration in Constructive Dialogue.
FROM PARTICIPATION TO LEADERSHIP As students progress through the Upper School, they take increasing responsibility for creating the conditions that make meaningful dialogue possible. They learn to ask genuine questions, listen for understanding, take intellectual risks, challenge ideas without attacking people, and help others feel equally free to speak honestly.
“In my classes, I’ve learned how to challenge ideas respectfully and also how to have my own ideas challenged. That balance has made me a stronger thinker and more confident in expressing my thoughts.” — 11th Grade Student
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
“Talking through complex issues here has made me so much more confident for college. I know I’ll be able to express myself and also listen carefully to others.” — 12th Grade Student
Dialogue extends beyond BWL through experiences that connect classroom study with larger questions about citizenship, freedom, history, prejudice, and national identity. Tenth graders explore democracy and freedom of expression in Washington, D.C., while other experiences bring students to institutions including the Museum of Jewish Heritage and Fraunces Tavern Museum.
Each spring, Constructive Dialogue Day and the Constructive Dialogue Summit give students opportunities to put their skills into practice, engaging difficult questions before their peers, families, educators, and members of the wider community.
PREPARED FOR WHAT COMES NEXT By graduation, BWL students are prepared to enter difficult conversations with confidence and curiosity. They know how to make an evidence-based argument, understand a position they do not share, navigate competing principles, and reconsider a conclusion when the evidence warrants it. They leave BWL prepared not simply to participate in difficult conversations, but to make those conversations better.
OUR PARTNERS
Upper School Students Participate in Constructive Dialogue Day
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.
A Week in the Life of Our 9th Grade Sample Schedule
TIME
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
8:15–8:55
Foundations of Democracy
Japanese III
Biology
English 9
Foundations of Democracy
9:00–9:40
Japanese III
Biology
Art 9: Visual Storytelling
Strings Orchestra: Cello
Academic Flex
Foundations of Democracy
Biology
9:45–10:25
Biology
Biology
Art 9: Visual Storytelling
10:25–10:45
Assembly
9th Grade Seminar
Dean Group
Academic Success
Clubs
10:45–11:10
Clubs
9th Grade Seminar
Academic Success
Academic Success
Academic Success
11:10–11:50
Academic Flex
Academic Flex
Japanese III
Biology
Foundations of Constructive Dialogue
11:55–12:35
Academic Flex
English 9
Algebra IB
World History 9
Rock Band
Lunch
12:35–1:15
1:15–1:55
English 9
Algebra IB
World History
Academic Flex
English 9
2:00–2:40
Algebra IB
Foundations of Democracy
Academic Flex
Algebra IB
Algebra IB
2:45–3:25
World History 9
Academic Flex
English 9
Academic Flex
World History 9
To learn more about the Upper School curriculum, visit bwl.org/uscourses or scan the QR code.
UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULAR HIGHLIGHTS
INNOVATIVE LEARNING AT BWL At Birch Wathen Lenox, education is a constantly evolving process—one that responds to the issues of today while preparing students to shape the world of tomorrow. Our curriculum continues to grow alongside the world our students are entering, creating opportunities to explore emerging fields, engage with complex questions, and pursue subjects at greater depth. Because our Upper School is intentionally scaled, we have the flexibility to develop courses that reflect student interests, faculty expertise, and new areas of inquiry. Alongside a rigorous college-preparatory foundation, students can pursue advanced seminars, interdisciplinary electives, original research, and coursework that extends beyond the traditional high school sequence.
GOING BEYOND THE STANDARD CURRICULUM For students ready to go further, BWL offers opportunities for increasingly advanced and independent study. Advanced Seminars invite students to examine complex questions through discussion, research, and sustained inquiry, while postAP courses allow students to continue exploring subjects after completing the highest traditional high school course level. Through BWL’s membership in the Constellation Learning Consortium, students can also expand their schedules with additional electives and AP courses, extending the range of what they can pursue while remaining part of BWL’s closeknit academic community.
“BWL is a tight-knit community where, as a student, you feel known by everyone. The academics can be challenging and high-level, but I never feel like I’m left to figure it out on my own. I feel supported and cared for by my teachers and peers, which makes the environment feel much more personal. BWL is the perfect balance between learning high-level content and getting the support you need.” –10th Grade Student
LEARNING
BWL Learning Partners AND and Collaborators COLLABORATORS PARTNERS
Constructive Dialogue Summit Student Ambassadors
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 Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital Upper School students may apply for the President’s Junior Leadership Council (PJLC), a youth leadership program dedicated to improving the health, safety, and well-being of Manhattan youth.
UNC–Chapel Hill 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
A Week in the Life of Our 11th Grade Sample Schedule TIME
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
8:15–8:55
Advanced Chinese VI
The Art of Black & White Photography
Physics
Honors Precalculus
Advanced Chinese VI
9:00–9:40
The Art of Black & White Photography
Academic Flex
Engineering: The Design Process
Academic Flex
Engineering: The Design Process
9:45–10:25
Physics
Physics
Advanced Chinese VI
Engineering: The Design Process
Physics
10:25–10:45
Assembly
Academic Success
Academic Success
Academic Flex
Clubs
10:45–11:10
Clubs
Dean Group
Academic Success
Academic Flex
Academic Success
11:10–11:50
11th Grade Seminar
Advanced Chinese VI
The Art of Black & White Photography
Physics
AP Statistics
11:55–12:35
AP Statistics
Honors Precalculus
American Literature
AP Comparative Government & Politics
AP Statistics
12:35–1:15
Entrepreneurship III + Lunch
Peer Leaders + Lunch
Entrepreneurship III + Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
1:15–1:55
Honors Precalculus
American Literature
AP Comparative Government & Politics
AP Statistics
Honors Precalculus
2:00–2:40
American Literature
Physical Education
AP Statistics
American Literature
American Literature
2:45–3:25
AP Comparative Government & Politics
Physical Education
Honors Precalculus
American Literature
AP Comparative Government & Politics
To learn more about the Upper School curriculum, visit bwl.org/uscourses or scan the QR code.
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 begins early 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 early in the Upper School years, 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
BWL ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM
Entrepreneurship at BWL is built around a simple idea: Students learn how to build something by actually building it. Our Upper School Entrepreneurship Program is a signature academic offering: a selective four-year sequence that takes students from early ideas to real ventures. Students identify problems worth solving, understand their customers, develop and test products, respond to feedback, and learn what it takes to build something people value. Rising 9th graders meet GPA requirements and complete an application process for admission. Across four levels, students take on greater independence, complexity, and real-world expectations each year. Students quickly learn that entrepreneurship rarely follows a predictable path. Ideas change, prototypes reveal problems, and customer feedback challenges assumptions. Learning how to listen, adapt, make thoughtful decisions, and keep moving forward is central to the experience. FROM FOUNDATIONS TO THE INCUBATOR In Level 1: Foundations of Entrepreneurship, students build fluency in creative problem-solving, customer-centered design, finance, marketing, sales, leadership, and project management. By year’s end, each student has developed a business concept and tested it with a target audience. In Levels 2 and 3: The Incubator, ideas become tangible. Students create Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), test them with real users, gather feedback, and refine their ventures based on what they learn. As they progress, students take greater ownership of their work and think more deeply about their customers, the value their ventures provide, and how to communicate their ideas. This is where the process gets real. A product may confuse its first users. Research may challenge an original assumption. Mentor feedback may reveal an opportunity a team overlooked. Students learn to evaluate what they hear, decide what needs to change, and determine what is worth pursuing.
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 IDEAS MEET THE REAL WORLD Throughout the program, students work with entrepreneurs, investors, executives, and industry professionals who offer candid feedback and challenge them to think more deeply about their decisions. Guest speakers and company visits offer additional insight into how businesses are built, led, and grown. The Entrepreneurship Gallery Tour gives Level 2 and Level 3 students the chance to present their ventures in progress. Students introduce the problem they are solving, their target customers, what they have built, and what they have learned through testing. They receive feedback in real time and use it to continue refining their work. Approximately half of the teams advance to the Future Founders Lab, raising the stakes and giving students another reason to take their preparation seriously. THE FUTURE FOUNDERS LAB At the Future Founders Lab, students pitch their ventures to Wilbury Ventures and invited business leaders, competing for a share of $10,000 in funding awards to move their ideas forward. Students are evaluated on the work behind the pitch: customer research, testing and iteration, clarity of thinking, execution, and evidence that the idea could succeed in the real world. On pitch day, they must know their ventures inside and out, make a compelling case for their ideas, and respond to questions in the moment. LEVEL 4: THE ACCELERATOR The four-year sequence culminates in the Level 4 Accelerator, a yearlong capstone in which students work to turn validated concepts into fully operational businesses. With guidance from mentors and industry advisors, students refine their business models, explore funding, expand their customer base, set goals, and track their progress. Along the way, they may negotiate with suppliers, run marketing campaigns, evaluate costs, respond to customers, or prepare to seek funding. The Accelerator concludes with Demo Day, where students showcase their ventures to investors, alumni, and members of the BWL community. BUILT FOR WHAT’S NEXT By graduation, BWL entrepreneurs have identified problems, spoken with customers, built and tested products, presented to professionals, responded to feedback, and revised their ideas. Some may continue the ventures they began at BWL; others will apply the experience in entirely different fields. They leave knowing how to ask better questions, communicate ideas, evaluate risk, collaborate, adapt, and make thoughtful decisions amid uncertainty. Most importantly, they have experienced what it takes to turn an idea into action—and gained the confidence to see where the next one might lead.
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
Student and Community Life KNOWN. CONNECTED. PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER. At BWL, community is built on the idea that students should be known well and have a meaningful role in the life of their school. In the Upper School, that takes on greater significance as students become more independent. They form relationships with teachers and classmates who know their strengths, challenge their thinking, and recognize when they need support. At the same time, students are increasingly expected to contribute: to welcome others, represent their peers, take initiative, serve their community, and help shape the culture they experience every day. The result is an Upper School that feels personal while offering students abundant opportunities to find their people, pursue their interests, and make their mark.
CONNECTION ACROSS GRADES Some of the most meaningful relationships in Upper School extend beyond a student's own grade. The House System brings students together as members of the Blue, White, or Green House to compete, celebrate, and build traditions together. Peer Leaders take an active role in welcoming new students and helping them navigate the transition into Upper School. As students move through BWL, they have opportunities to become the people younger students look to for guidance, encouragement, and an example of what it means to be part of the community.
A VOICE IN SCHOOL LIFE Upper School students are participants in shaping their community, not simply recipients of the experience adults create for them. Through Student Council, students represent their classmates, bring forward ideas and concerns, and contribute to the experiences that shape school life. Leadership also happens without a title: organizing an event, mentoring a peer, taking initiative, following through on an idea, or recognizing when someone else needs support.
RESPONSIBILITY BEYOND BWL Being part of a community also means understanding one's responsibility to people beyond it. Working with our Service-Learning Coordinator and community partners, students participate in initiatives throughout the year, including donation drives, preparing sandwiches for the New York Common Pantry, and Friday Food Rescue with Grassroots Grocery. Through ongoing opportunities to serve, students learn to notice where help is needed and recognize that their time and effort can make a difference.
THE MOMENTS WE SHARE Community is also built through the experiences students anticipate, remember, and eventually pass on to the classes behind them. In the fall, each grade kicks off the year with an overnight experience that takes students beyond campus and gives classmates time to connect in a new setting. Homecoming brings students together for a school-wide pep rally before the broader BWL community gathers to cheer on the Lions. Field Day turns House affiliation into spirited competition, while the Holiday Arts Festival gives students the opportunity to perform for and celebrate one another. At Graduation, seniors mark the end of their time as BWL students and the beginning of their place in the alumni community.
Upper School Activities and Clubs Learning, connections, and inspiration don’t stop when classes end at BWL. Our Upper School students can often be found working together in a variety of clubs and activities that add to their classroom experience, serve the community, and provide opportunities to delve deeper into areas that interest them. Clubs and activities are often added based on student interest. Previous offerings have included: PEER ENGAGEMENT
SHARED INTEREST
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Student Council Breaking Walls and Limits Environmental Club Homecoming Peer Tutoring Prom Committee The Civility Club: How to Agree to Disagree RANGE Spirit Club Yearbook 7 Mindsets Club
The Chess Club AI Club (Artificial Intelligence) Investing and Finance Creative Writing Club Lion Launch The Reset Lounge Golf Club Students in Medicine (HSAFP) Jewish Affiliation Group Nursing and Public Health NYSEE: Education on NYC BWL Mountain Lions
Lending a Hand for Experience Camps Baking for Good BWL x BCU JET: Supporting Kids with Brain Cancer Wishbone @BWL Chat&Charm Everything for Anyone (EFA) Robin Hood Teen Council Club Grassroots Grocery Glamour Gals The Project Sunshine Club Leading with Kindness Recess
COMPETITIVE TEAMS BirchBots Robotics Debate Ethics Team Model UN
Visit bwl.org/community or scan the QR code for more information about Student and Community Life.
Arts at BWL The arts give Upper School students space to develop their voices, take creative risks, and turn ideas into work they can share with an audience. Across music, theater, and visual arts, students build technical skills while learning the discipline, collaboration, and confidence that come from creating and performing.
MUSIC Students can pursue music throughout Upper School through performance-based and academic electives. Students may join ensembles, including A Cappella, Rock Band, Orchestra, or Vocal Ensemble, performing at the Holiday Concert, Spring Concert, and Holiday Arts Festival each year.
THEATER Electives such as Master Class, Audition Technique, Advanced Acting, Directing, and Performing Arts NYC give students the opportunity to grow as performers, creators, and collaborators. The experience extends well beyond the classroom. Students can audition for the Winter Musical, performed in a professional 200-seat Off-Broadway theater. Rehearsals introduce increasingly sophisticated work in script analysis, character development, vocal performance, dance, and scene study. The Student Showcase serves as a capstone to the theater curriculum, putting students in creative leadership roles as they write, cast, direct, and develop original work for the stage.
VISUAL ARTS Courses include Drawing, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, and Mixed Media. All Upper School students study Art History and visit local museums. Student work is celebrated in the Annual Art Show, featured in school publications, and displayed in installations throughout the school and the city.
“BWL is a place where every student gets opportunities to make their high school experience unique and stand out. Through these opportunities, I have gotten to shape my experience in the arts. My art practice has become something I feel confident and excited to do, and I credit this amazing community and its incredible resources.” —11th Grade Student
Athletics at BWL Athletics at BWL challenge students to grow as competitors, teammates, and leaders. Through Physical Education and interscholastic competition, Upper School students build strength and confidence, learn to respond to challenges, and experience the responsibility and pride that come with being part of a team.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION Upper School PE emphasizes the habits that support lifelong health and wellness. Students develop their knowledge and skills through cardiovascular training, weight training, aerobic fitness, and other forms of physical activity. Instruction meets students at their individual level while encouraging them to set goals, build strength and endurance, and take greater ownership of their fitness.
COMPETITIVE ATHLETICS For student-athletes, representing BWL means competing alongside classmates, working toward shared goals, and contributing to a team throughout the season. Athletes develop their skills through regular practices and competition while learning the discipline, perseverance, communication, and accountability that strong teams require. BWL competes in the Independent School Athletic League (ISAL) against independent schools across New York City, with opportunities for competition in:
Boys Baseball Boys and Girls Basketball Boys and Girls Cross Country Boys and Girls Soccer Boys and Girls Swimming
Boys and Girls Track and Field Boys and Girls Tennis Coed Golf Coed Squash Girls Volleyball
BWL teams also compete in New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) events, extending the season for qualifying teams and athletes and providing opportunities to compete against independent schools from across New York State. Visit bwl.org/athletics or scan the QR code for more information.
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
BWL 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 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.
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