Masters School Brochure - Upper School

the masters school | 49 Clinton Avenue, Dobbs Ferry, ny 10522 | mAstersny.org | 914.479.6420 t h e m a s t e r s s c h o o l • a r o u n d o u r t a b l e

T H E U P P E R S C H O O L

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Welcome to masters. As we so often do at our school, we’ve gotten together to think hard about what something means; in this case, what it means to be a masters student. so as you read our book, please be on the lookout for our thoughts and observations. one day, perhaps you’ll join the discussion!

AROUnd OUR TAbLE ARE:

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CHELSEA

ALEx

Min Ji

ALExAndRA

CHRiSTiAn

MACy

SydnEy

MR. ivES

RORy

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Why Harkness?

Harkness really allows everyone in theclassroom to feel like they have an impact on each other’s learning. It’s so helpful when you aren’t constricted to hearing from only one perspective. And having classes with kids from other countries allows me to think more globally.

R o R y1 0

A R O U N D O U R T A B L E

Come in and have a seat. Not in the back row—there isn’t one here. At

The Masters School you’ll take your place right up front and center at the

Harkness table, where you’ll participate fully. You’ll need to come prepared,

of course, ready to contribute, question, and think deeply. This demand

for active participation doesn’t stop in the classroom, either. It characterizes

every aspect of a Masters education: whether you’re competing on the

lacrosse field or performing with an a cappella group, memorizing Mandarin

vocabulary or leading a food drive. Here, whatever the pursuit, whatever

the challenge, students are expected to “do it with thy might” and make the

most of the abundant opportunity this school has to offer.

T H E P E R F E C T P A R A D O X

Can a school be both demanding and welcoming? Can it make its students feel

at home and also move them out of their academic comfort zone? I believe

that it not only can, but it must. It is precisely because of The Masters School’s

diverse and accepting environment that our students feel enough at ease to

step out and challenge themselves. It is thanks to our safety net of respectful

support from faculty and peers that our students can take healthy risks and

push themselves to stretch, grow, and realize their potential. It’s a wonderful

dynamic that makes a Masters education uniquely powerful and transformative.

If you’re intrigued by what you see here and on our website, I invite you to visit us

to get a better feel for our school and the extraordinary education we provide.

Maureen Fonseca, Ph.D.

Head of School

CLASS NoTES

Approximate number of Upper School students: 435

Average number of students in a class: 14

Number of all-school meetings per week: 3

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Who are you?

What I love most about Masters is that it enables me to be a multifaceted student.

Musician, athlete, actor, writer, scholar…this school allows you to be the person

you want to be.

A L E x

A R O U N D C A M P U S

These 96 acres make an idyllic place to learn and live. Sloping fields and

woodlands overlooking the Hudson River provide a serene setting for our

campus in historic Dobbs Ferry. The expansive athletic fields, the new

track, and the welcoming dormitories tell you something about this school.

The aesthetics are impressive: from Estherwood Mansion, on the National

Registry of Historic Places, to charming Masters Hall, housing most of the

upper school’s classrooms. Add the park-like open spaces and the walking

paths through the trees, and you’ll agree: It’s truly beautiful here.

But what distinguishes Masters is something else. It’s schoolmates who hail

from all over the country and world, bringing with them different life stories

and perspectives. It’s classes that require every ounce of your intellect, but

that also leave you wanting more. It’s the knowledge that you’re among

friends and faculty who respect and appreciate you and who want to see you

spread your wings and succeed.

SPEAKING oF SPEAKING

Percentage of students who study public speaking: 100

Years a foreign language must be studied during Upper School: 3

Foreign languages offered in the Upper School: Ancient Greek,

French, Latin, Mandarin, Spanish

What is it like here?

Living in a dorm is like living in a micro-globe. All the cultures mixed together...it’s a once-in-a lifetime opportunity. I love the

cosmopolitan atmosphere of the entire student body, and how eager all the students are to

help and challenge one another to learn more.

M I N J I 0 4

C O M E L E A R N

Education is like an earthquake. It should shift the foundation you assumed

to be solid. It should unnerve you; compel you to look around, to scrutinize

the world and your position in it. This is what happens around Harkness

tables at The Masters School every school day. Students sit face-to-face

with others whose varied perceptions are informed by different cultures

and backgrounds. It becomes the task of everyone gathered to recognize

and navigate the uncertainty. To find answers, but also to develop new

questions. To absorb and assess facts, but at the same time to challenge

assumptions, consider possibilities, and feel the worldview shift again and

again. This is how learning happens.

In the course of their Masters education, students often wonder, “What do

I believe?” It’s a question that becomes harder to answer as their education

progresses. The world is far from black and white, these teenagers discover;

it’s a kaleidoscope of factors and forces. Teasing out the truth is never simple,

but always rewarding.

U N I Q U E B U T U N I F I E D

No two Masters students are alike, but certain qualities characterize them

all. These young men and women are comfortable in their skin, passionate in

their pursuits, and thoroughly engaged in their studies.

Universally, these teenagers display an impressive spirit of generosity. You’ll

see them working to raise money and awareness for the causes they care

about; and you’ll also see them helping one another feel at home and at ease.

The diversity of this student body is striking. Not only are dozens of

different countries and states represented here, but the students come from

different cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds as well. The

variety leads to a distinctive mutual acceptance and appreciation. You’ll

notice an unusual absence of cliques here, and plenty of kindness.

MEET MASTERS

Percentage of students who pursue interests outside their classes: 100

Number of students who play team sports: 300

Number of students who perform in a play, music ensemble, or dance group: 300

Number who do both: 100

Modern dance

Jazz, hip hop & tap dance

classical ballet

draMa

cabaret troupe

chaMber Music

dobbs 16

dohters

Glee club

Jazz band

T h E f i n E A R T S

orchestra

the naturals

rock bands

swinG band

paintinG

illustration

ceraMics

photoGraphy

Graphic desiGn

video

GOOD TO KnOW

Student-teacher ratio: 8:1

Number of accelerated and honors classes offered: 11

Number of advanced placement classes offered: 15

Years of religious history, practice, and ideas studied in sophomore

World Religions class: 14,500

What have you learned?

Time management! I play three varsity sports, I participate in many clubs, and I’m

taking two honors and one accelerated class.At Masters, I’ve discovered that I can rise

to the challenge.

c h E l S E A 0 2

Where does knowledge come from?

The best way to learn is to do. And teachershere are always looking for ways to get theirstudents into real-life situations—whether it’s through field trips to meet with experts,performing with professionals, or interning in New York City.

M R . i v E S0 9

A R T S A L L A R O U N D

In today’s world and tomorrow’s, creativity is crucial, not only for a rich and

rewarding life, but also to effect positive change. In science or business or

philanthropy, a creative mind is a must for innovating solutions.

The arts are where creativity reigns supreme and they play an important

role at Masters. They’re interwoven into academics; they appear

prominently in co-curriculars and clubs; opportunities to study them

abound. Dance and drama, photography and video, music in its countless

forms—we offer it all and encourage our students to explore.

The Masters School’s two-story art studio is full of light and possibilities.

Students work at drawing, painting, sculpture, and printmaking, and put

the professional ceramics studio to good use. The performing arts abound

here too: dance ensembles, a cappella singing groups, a swing band, jazz

band, and orchestra. Ballet, modern dance, jazz, tap, theater, and ethnic

dance are all available.

Our proximity to New York City is an inestimable advantage. Students can

attend plays, musicals, symphonies, and other performances; and they get

instruction at conservatories and art studios on Saturdays. The Metropolitan

Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Whitney Museum of

American Art are just a few of the world-class institutions awaiting a visit.

EXPRESS YOURSElf

Seats in Claudia Boettcher Theatre: 500

Number of music practice rooms in Strayer Hall: 10

Number of grand pianos on campus: 15

Number of vintage harpsichords: 1

Number of students who take private music lessons during the

school day: 250

Days per week “Open Art” studio time allows students to work on projects: 7

Number of Apple computers in the digital media lab: 17

Number of upper and middle school student musical, theatrical, and dance

performances per year: over 40

Do the arts matter?

Absolutely! The arts are one of my favoriteaspects of Masters. My passion has always been music—and now it’s theater as well. I love how this school exposes students to

every part of the arts during our time here.

c h R i S T i A n 0 6

SEE hoW WE LEARN

Minutes per week dedicated to each major class: 220

Minutes per week spent in each minor class: 110

Number of major and minor courses offered each year: 85 and 33

D E L V E D E E P L Y

Every class around the Harkness table is exciting and gratifying. But The

Masters School also offers a variety of academic programs that ratchet up

the educational experience several levels. These include:

City Project, a unit of freshman World History I in which students explore

today’s New York City to learn about urban life in the ancient world.

Model United Nations, which gives every member of the sophomore class a

firsthand understanding of current global issues and legislative procedures, as

well as the challenges of productive debate and consensus-building.

American Studies, a multidisciplinary junior-year course that prompts

students to explore the underlying philosophical and moral assumptions of

Americans. Students look closely at the complex forces that have shaped our

nation, and they begin to understand this country with new insights.

The Masters Thesis, a rigorous guided elective for seniors. Students select

a topic, conduct in-depth research across a variety of disciplines, write and

present a scholarly research paper, and complete a creative project culminating

in a performance, lecture, or exhibition.

As varied as these endeavors are, they share certain crucial qualities. They all tie

a number of subjects and skills together. They’re hands-on and demand complete

participation. And they bring theories and history to life so that our students can

learn in a very real, memorable, and fulfilling way.

A R O U N D N E W Y O R K

There’s only one New York City. And there’s only one boarding school

this close to it. The Masters School takes full advantage of this proximity,

tapping into the rich cultural and educational resources the city offers.

Being only 35 minutes from Manhattan means that the school’s Model

United Nations can see the real one in session. A class studying world

religions can visit a Sikh gurdwara, a Hindu temple, and countless other

diverse places of worship. Spanish students might visit El Museo del Barrio

or go to Washington Heights to put their Spanish to conversational use.

Students can study on the weekends at conservatories and universities.

And Masters’ many performing artists get opportunities to take the stage

in the city’s venues—sometimes including Radio City Music Hall. Scholarly

lectures, poetry readings, classic films...there’s simply no limit to what can

be learned in this vibrant, thriving metropolis.

Girls soccer

boys soccer

Girls volleyball

Girls Field hockey

coed cross country

Girls basketball

boys basketball

Girls FencinG

boys FencinG

A T h l E T i c S

coed indoor track

Girls lacrosse

boys lacrosse

Girls soFtball

boys baseball

Girls tennis

boys tennis

coed GolF

coed track & Field

J O I N T H E C L U B S

Walking down the corridors of Masters Hall, you know it: the students

at this school are into everything. You see the colorful posters for every

kind of club imaginable, conveying different talents and interests. You can

tell that these students travel, perform, volunteer, and pursue knowledge

outside of their classes. You can sense the friendships and the fun—as well

as the hard work.

Leadership skills are honed daily at The Masters School, both around

Harkness tables and in the context of the school’s various groups: dorms,

student government, sports, community service, and countless campus

clubs. The Masters tradition of co-leadership enables both one boy and one

girl to collaborate and lead together. That means twice the opportunity,

double the responsibility, and all of the lessons that leadership imparts.

BiG ciTY, BiG OPPORTUniTiES

Number of New York City museums listed on ILoveNY.com: over 100

Percentage of boarding students who attend a Broadway show and

visit a New York City museum: 100

Average number of academic field trips to New York City per year: 30

Miles between the Metro-North Railroad station in Dobbs Ferry and

Grand Central Station: 20.7

What does NYC stand for?

New York City represents countlessopportunities. It includes so many

educational sites, and such diversity.Students can reach out to the city for any subject of learning. Wall Street, the Met,

Chinatown, Central Park, and many other destinations...there are just so many

places where we can visit and find real-life applications of our education.

M i n j i 0 4

A R O U N D T H E W O R L D

The optimal student body is created by intention and alchemy. Choose

strong scholars from across the country and around the globe, from varied

circumstances, and gather them on a campus outside of New York City to

pursue knowledge together. Friendships bloom, insights improve, and a

spirit of mutual support develops.

From Australia to Uganda, from Turkey, Taiwan, and Tennessee...every

student brings something unique and invaluable to The Masters School. The

student body is both diverse and cohesive, with no dichotomy between day

and boarding students. On the contrary, everyone here is so engaged with

school activities—on both weekdays and weekends—that it feels like a seven-

day school.

vARiETY iS ThE SPicE Of MASTERS

Number of campus dormitories: 6

Number of countries Masters boarding students come from: over 20

Percentage of Upper School students from other countries: 15

Number of American states represented by Upper School students: 17

Percentage of students who benefit from Masters being a boarding school: 100

How important are athletics?

Being on two varsity teams this year, I learned how much of an impact sports could

have on a person. At Masters, every sport has the support of the whole school and

every game has large crowd turnouts. This gives athletes more pride in this school we’re

representing—and makes playing very exciting.

S i B O 0 1

cOME PlAY

Year track and turf field completed: 2011

Year the Community Athletics and Arts Center will be completed: 2014–2015

New sports offered in these facilities: track and field, squash, swimming

Number of tennis courts: 8

Number of grass athletic fields: 4

Number of student-athletes who attend the annual spring training trip to Florida: over 100

A R O U N D T H E F I E L D

Stretch your legs. Clear your head. Fill your lungs. And keep your eye on the

ball. Give your all, tap your reserves, and reap the countless rewards that

sports have to offer.

The Masters School recognizes athletics as a crucial component of a good

education. Sports strengthen the body, sharpen the mind, develop teamwork,

deepen friendships, and enable participants to test their limits. Students

become better strategic thinkers. They develop good sportsmanship. They take

direction. They practice and improve. And, importantly, they have fun.

Our interscholastic sports program is strengthened by talented, dedicated

coaches, outstanding athletes from around the world—many who have been

developing their skills since a young age—and an instructional approach that

builds athletic excellence, healthy competitiveness, and the traits of respect,

discipline, perseverance, and dedication, which will serve our students well for

the rest of their lives.

What do you value?

I love the way it feels so diverse here. You have people with their own personalities

and none of them are really the same. They come from around the globe and are

genuinely interesting.

C h R I S T I A N 0 6

M E E T O U R F A C U L T Y

Some teachers you never forget. They capture your interest, believe in you,

and push you. They make an indelible impression and change your life for the

better. Exceptional instructors like this are what make Masters the school it is.

Teachers get involved in students’ education and well-being in a variety of

ways. A calculus instructor might be a dorm parent as well as a volleyball

coach. A French teacher might accompany students to a Broadway matinee

or help them with a service learning project. And all these adults serve as

student advisors. The result is that Masters faculty members get a 360-degree

understanding of their students and consequently can better support and

guide them.

It’s no wonder that teachers tend to stay at The Masters School for so many

years. They appreciate the high level of scholarship they see; and find that

their high expectations constantly get surpassed. Faculty members also enjoy

excellent opportunities for ongoing development. And with every class they

take or seminar they attend, they’re able to bring something back to their

students and make the educational experience that much better.

INSPIRING

Percentage of teachers living on campus: 60

Average number of years current Upper School faculty have been

at the School: 8.8

Percentage of faculty with higher degrees: 65

Percentage of teachers who serve as student advisors: 100

How far can you go?

I would easily say I am realizing my potentialhere at Masters. The School has provided

me with a challenging yet comfortableenvironment. My teachers push me and

inspire me to do the best work I can, while still being sensitive and understanding.

M ACy 0 7












day school.












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cOME PlAY

































day school.












S i B O 0 1

cOME PlAY






















Girls soccer

boys soccer

Girls volleyball

Girls Field hockey

coed cross country

Girls basketball

boys basketball

Girls FencinG

boys FencinG

A T h l E T i c S

coed indoor track

Girls lacrosse

boys lacrosse

Girls soFtball

boys baseball

Girls tennis

boys tennis

coed GolF

coed track & Field







as the hard work.



















M i n j i 0 4

Girls soccer

boys soccer

Girls volleyball

Girls Field hockey

coed cross country

Girls basketball

boys basketball

Girls FencinG

boys FencinG

A T h l E T i c S

coed indoor track

Girls lacrosse

boys lacrosse

Girls soFtball

boys baseball

Girls tennis

boys tennis

coed GolF

coed track & Field







as the hard work.



















M i n j i 0 4

C LU B S

Anime ClubArt Guild

Classics Club Cooking ClubDebate Club

Dobbs Athletic AssociationDobbs 16 (coed a cappella)

Dohters (female a cappella)Dragon Club

Football Club French Club

Gaming Club Gay-Straight Alliance

Gold Key SocietyHonorary Photo Society

Improv ClubInternational Club

Knitting ClubLatin Club

Latinos UnidosMasterpieces (yearbook)

MISH (community service) Model UN

Muse (dance)Onyx

One LoveOutdoor Club

Operation SmilePanache (literary magazine)

Philosophy ClubPhoenix (honorary drama society)

REEF (environmental club)SADD

Spanish ClubThe Naturals (male a cappella)

Touring TalentTower (student newspaper)

Ubuntu (community service)Urban Connection (dance)



M R . i v E S0 9





















EXPRESS YOURSElf






school day: 250





Do the arts matter?






M R . i v E S0 9





















EXPRESS YOURSElf






school day: 250





Do the arts matter?
















MEET MASTERS





Modern dance


classical ballet

draMa

cabaret troupe

chaMber Music

dobbs 16

dohters

Glee club

Jazz band


orchestra

the naturals

rock bands

swinG band

paintinG

illustration

ceraMics

photoGraphy

Graphic desiGn

video

GOOD TO KnOW









to the challenge.

c h E l S E A 0 2













MEET MASTERS





Modern dance


classical ballet

draMa

cabaret troupe

chaMber Music

dobbs 16

dohters

Glee club

Jazz band


orchestra

the naturals

rock bands

swinG band

paintinG

illustration

ceraMics

photoGraphy

Graphic desiGn

video

GOOD TO KnOW









to the challenge.

c h E l S E A 0 2

What defines you?

Masters has given me the chance to explore.It’s given me the ability to find myself and

what I like to do. I have never felt confinedto a specific circle of people or a certain

topic of interest or activity. Masters givesthree-season athletes the opportunity to star

in plays; and art fanatics the ability to takeon a math competition—all free of judgment.

A L E x A N D R A 0 5

How do you help?

This school makes you highly aware of socialissues going on in your community and theworld at large. There are many options here for doing community service, so that students can make a positive difference.

Sy D N E y0 8

J O I N T O G E T H E R T O S E R V E

MISH stands for “Masters Interested in Sharing and Helping.” What it

really represents is a distinctive ethos of generosity, thoughtfulness, and

community involvement that pervades this place.

When Eliza Bailey Masters founded her school in 1877, she proclaimed

that she would educate each and every one of her students to be a “power

for good in the world.” And here we are today: enthusiastically hosting

the Special Olympics Junior Games and Hoops for Hope. Our students

visit nursing home residents, tutor and mentor at-risk children, help the

homeless of New York City, and participate in countless other good works,

both nearby and around the world.

MISH is led by students: four senior chairs and eight class representatives,

plus club heads, Special Olympics chairs, and middle school coordinators.

Some are boarding students; some are day students. Together, everyone

works to make a positive difference, nurturing the sense of purpose that is

central to our school.

REAChING oUT

Charitable donation required to participate in weekly

“Jeans Days”: $1

Average amount raised by students for charity each year:

$27,000

Percentage of students and faculty who perform

community service: 100

O N W A R D A N D O U T W A R D

As fulfilling as a Masters education is, it’s certainly not the end of the

educational journey. In many ways, it’s only the beginning.

Three full-time college counselors are dedicated to ensuring that Masters

students move into a bright future at the conclusion of their years here. These

counselors supervise all college testing, coordinate visits by college admission

officers, discuss higher education choices with students and their families,

and advise on application procedures. They also write a comprehensive

recommendation for each senior based on his or her academic record and

teachers’ written evaluations. Once students are accepted into colleges, our

counselors give them guidance in their decision-making process.

Not surprisingly, our graduates tend to thrive after their experience at

Masters. After college, they go on to a variety of rewarding roles. Alumnae/i

appreciate all that they’ve learned here, and tend to stay involved with the

School well after graduation. Some send their own children to Masters; some

come to work for us or serve as guest lecturers. And many join us for reunions

or to participate in special events, staying connected with the school that

helped make them who they are.

To ToMoRRoW

Grade when college counselors begin working

with students: 10

Approximate number of college acceptance letters mailed to

Masters students each year: 385

Average number of colleges that visit Masters each year: 130

Percentage of Masters graduates who attend college: 100

What does your future hold?

Having attended Masters, I feel well preparedfor college. This school has taught me so

much—from learning to express my own opinion and not be scared of people

disagreeing with me to learning to socialize with anyone and everyone. I feel like I have all

the skills necessary to pursue a good higher education and have a successful life.

S I B o 0 1

Alexandra—“Zanny”—travels an hour by train each way from

Garrison, New York, with heryounger sister, who attends the Middle School. Zanny is

co-chair of the Gold Key student ambassadors and head of

the Peer Leaders. She is an accomplished harpist and an

avid equestrian.

0 5 . A L E x A N D R A 0 4 . M I N J I

From Agoura Hills, California, Macy is a devoted dancer and the manager of the varsity boysbasketball team. She notes that in addition to Masters’ “remarkable academics,” she appreciates the way the school “teaches you about the real world and how to prepare for life outside of high school.”

Sibo comes to us from Geneva, Switzerland. He plays soccer and basketball and is a member of the Football Club and Onyx. One of his dorm parents observes, “Sibo’s outgoing personality allowed him to make a seamless transition into our residential community. His musical talents drew other students to him—he is often found freestyling in the dorms.”

0 7 . M ACy

0 1 . S I B o

A boarder from Seoul, South Korea, Min Ji is a hip-hop dancer in Urban Connection as well as a

cross-country runner. She has been named a proctor in her

dorm, and one of the dorm parents notes that Min Ji is “always behind the scenes,

looking out for the best interests of our community.”

Rory is a day student from Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. He plays baseball and ice hockey, sings in Dobbs 16, and played the lead role ofGaston in the Masters production of the musical Beauty and the Beast. He has a great sense of humor and enthusiastically welcomes new and visiting students.

1 0 . R o R y

Sydney has attended Masters since the seventh grade, and today her sister is in the MiddleSchool. They live in Greenwich, Connecticut. Sydney studies French, enjoys theater anddance, and sings in the a cappella group Dobbs 16.

0 8 . Sy D N E y

0 2 . C h E L S E A

Even though Chelsea’s family lives nearby in New Rochelle, New York, she chooses to boardat The Masters School. Since she plays three varsity sports and is a member of nearly every club on campus, boarding here was a great choice.

Christian can often be found in the dining hall entertaining the crowd

with his beautiful piano playing and singing. From North Carolina, he

enjoys running track, playing video games, spending time with friends,

and doing anything adventurous. He says, “I loved Freshman

Seminar, mainly because it gave me information about life that I

could use instantly.”

Alex has been playing cello since he was four years old, and today is the principal cello in theMasters orchestra. He’s also the pitcher on the baseball team. His favorite subject is science—particularly biology. A boarder from Atlanta, Georgia, Alex loves opera and Broadway shows.

0 6 . C h R I S T I A N

0 3 . A L E x

The Masters School: A coed day and boarding college preparatory school for grades 5–12, located in historic Dobbs Ferry, New York, 35 minutes from New York City.

mastersny.org

DESIGN:

POPKITCHEN CO.

CoPy:

SARA ROSINSKY

PhoToGRAPhy:

TOM KATES

RENÉE BENNETT

ANNE MARIE LEONE

The Masters School admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of color, national or ethnic origin, sexual preference, or gender identity in administration of its admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

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040302

06

070809

10

01

Welcome to masters. As we so often do at our school, we’ve gotten together to think hard about what something means; in this case, what it means to be a masters student. so as you read our book, please be on the lookout for our thoughts and observations. one day, perhaps you’ll join the discussion!

AROUnd OUR TAbLE ARE:

SibO

CHELSEA

ALEx

Min Ji

ALExAndRA

CHRiSTiAn

MACy

SydnEy

MR. ivES

RORy

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

the masters school | 49 Clinton Avenue, Dobbs Ferry, ny 10522 | mAstersny.org | 914.479.6420 t h e m a s t e r s s c h o o l • a r o u n d o u r t a b l e

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Documents

Masters School Brochure - Upper School