A Message from the Academic Dean
School Administrators
What makes The Masters School so extraordinary? Its international student body, its proximity to New York City, and its palpable ethos of kindness are part of the formula, but what truly sets us apart is our academic program.
Head of School Maureen Fonseca, Ph.D.
At The Masters School, our expectations tend to be different than those of other schools. When our students gather around a Harkness table, they must actively participate in their education. They are not mere receptacles for information but active seekers of truth. They must continually probe, listen, analyze, and absorb. In Harkness methodology, students discover that there is seldom one right answer, but rather a variety of positions worthy of consideration. As the American author F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.” At The Masters School, our goal for students is not merely to function, but to flourish. Because our academic environment is supportive as well as rigorous it encourages a productive exchange of ideas and deep learning. This academic program guide will give you a good idea of what students can gain at The Masters School. We encourage you to read it carefully, and to find additional information on our website. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Chris Goulian Academic Dean
Our Mission The Masters School provides a challenging academic environment that encourages critical, creative, and independent habits of thought and a lifelong passion for learning. The Masters School promotes and celebrates academic achievement, artistic development, ethical action, athletic endeavor, and personal growth. The School maintains a diverse community that encourages students to participate actively in decisions affecting their lives and to develop an appreciation of their responsibilities to the larger world.
Head of Upper School Christopher Frost Academic Dean Chris Goulian Dean of Students Priscilla Hindley ’66 Associate Dean of Students Director of Residential Life Timothy Weir Associate Dean of Students Gillian Crane ’92 Ninth Grade Dean Ronica Bhattacharya Tenth Grade Dean Eileen Dieck, M.D. Eleventh Grade Dean Matthew Ives Twelfth Grade Dean Jane Rechtman Director of College Counseling Kathi Woods Director of Community Service Amy Atlee Associate Head of School for Faculty Affairs and Program Development Adriana Botero Director of Enrollment and Financial Aid Chris Downs Associate Head of School for Institutional Advancement Tim Kane Director of Business and Finance Christine Schwegel Director of Athletics and Physical Education Kevin Versen
3