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Welcome to
Dwight New York
Dwight, a New York City landmark private school, is a leader in global education recognized worldwide for igniting the spark of genius in every child. We are proud of our rich history, which dates back to 1872, and numerous advances that have distinguished Dwight as a pioneering International Baccalaureate World School. While innovation drives us ever forward, our commitment to personalizing the educational journey for every student remains at the heart of everything we do.
Early Childhood
Lower School
Students in Kindergarten through grade 4 hit the ground running with inquiry-based learning. We ensure a holistic, personalized approach to teaching the "head and heart" of every child.
Middle School
Students in grades 5-8 grow in leaps and bounds, as they assume greater independence and responsibility on their academic journey.
Upper School
Students in grades 9-12 advance exponentially both academically and personally, as they prepare to thrive beyond Dwight in college — and anywhere in the world.
Dwight Facts & Figures
Dwight stands apart from other independent schools as a leader with a long list of firsts in New York City and around the world. Discover more about our milestones and global community.
News & Events
![The graduating class of 2026 at Dwight School in New York toss their caps into the air.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1782481807/dwightnewyork/md7ltefkcxanl2g3i3h1/1BTAO_1_0087.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1782481807/dwightnewyork/md7ltefkcxanl2g3i3h1/1BTAO_1_0087.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1782481807/dwightnewyork/md7ltefkcxanl2g3i3h1/1BTAO_1_0087.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1782481807/dwightnewyork/md7ltefkcxanl2g3i3h1/1BTAO_1_0087.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1782481807/dwightnewyork/md7ltefkcxanl2g3i3h1/1BTAO_1_0087.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1782481807/dwightnewyork/md7ltefkcxanl2g3i3h1/1BTAO_1_0087.jpg","width":2200}])
The 2026 Commencement for Dwight School New York celebrated our students and memorialized every moment spent together with beautiful harmonies and heartwarming speeches.
“We are now the people we spent four years imagining.”
—Valedictorian Simone Alcalay
Gathering in the majestic Riverside Church, 83 Dwight School New York graduates, including 49 International Baccalaureate candidates and 26 award-winners, commemorated their various successes.
Dwight’s Commencement this year was especially motivating, with speeches encouraging the newly graduated to be excited for their next journey. Dianne Drew, Head of School and Global Education Director, said in her speech, “Each of you brings your own story, your own journey, and your own irreplaceable spark to this moment… So go forward with confidence and purpose. Go forward with the courage to lead, and the humanity to make your leadership matter.”
Many seniors shared their spark on the stage — with Isabella Gonzalez, Max Greenberg (winner of the Henry Crehan Music Award for Performance), Ofer Rubin (winner of the Henry Crehan Music Award for Production), and August Pallad (winner of the Fiorello H. Laguardia Excellence in Social Studies Award) singing a beautiful rendition of the nostalgic Adele’s “When We Were Young.” Similarly, Suzie Wang tugged at the heartstrings of the audience with her version of Nikolai Kapustin’s “Nocturne Op. 20.”
Talent continued to spark, with a remarkable speech from Valedictorian and winner of three awards (French, Truman Capote English Award, and Fiorello H. Laguardia Excellence in Social Studies) Simone Alcalay. With a passion for the sciences (she’ll soon be studying Astrophysics at the University of Chicago), Simone chose to use the idea of time dilation as a metaphor for her high school experience.
She said, “ I can't think of a better way to describe our last four years because somehow these years have felt both expansive and compressed… And it is that conflict between time simultaneously feeling impossibly slow and impossibly fast that best describes the surreal experience of going through these years and of being here today.”
Simone’s high school experience was one of support and comfort. Reflecting on the years past, she said, “It was just a very warm community and I felt comfortable talking to everybody and I felt very included… all the classes were just so fun and everyone got along. Every single class was very welcoming.”
Salutatorian Matthieu Furno, winner of the Cliff Boro Science Award and the Theodore R. Jones Mathematics Award, shared analogous sentiments off the podium. In the future, he hopes to continue to be open to meeting new people, a lesson that he feels Dwight taught him. “I think that's something I experienced a lot at Dwight – was how kind and open and welcoming the community was… I think it's still something that I would like to bring wherever I go,” he said.
He also shared that Dwight’s iconic mission, finding one’s Spark of Genius, is something that he will deeply miss and hopes to embrace further. He said, “Dwight especially has people who, in every subject, are genuinely interested and passionate. I think that's really important, because when you see other people who are interested and passionate, it makes you want to take part.”
The Class of 2026 leaves behind a legacy of warmth and kindness, while carrying their Sparks of Genius into the world. As the final notes echoed through Riverside Church and graduates prepared to turn their tassels, one message resonated above all: the sparks ignited at Dwight will not end at commencement. The lessons, friendships, and extraordinary accomplishments that defined these four years will continue to shine brightly in the adventures ahead.
![A teacher helps two students with crafts at an orange table filled with colorful beads and supplies, while a large tree mural adorns the wall behind them.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1782152880/drqdb4ugmheigmbfgkl2/IMG_94883.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1782152880/drqdb4ugmheigmbfgkl2/IMG_94883.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1782152880/drqdb4ugmheigmbfgkl2/IMG_94883.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1782152880/drqdb4ugmheigmbfgkl2/IMG_94883.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1782152880/drqdb4ugmheigmbfgkl2/IMG_94883.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1782152880/drqdb4ugmheigmbfgkl2/IMG_94883.png","width":2200}])
A recent partnership with the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art created a truly interdisciplinary IB experience.
Dwight’s International Baccalaureate Curriculum is academically rigorous, though not constrictive. There is room for serious transdisciplinary experimentation, and that happens across our curriculum, from PYP to MYP to the DP, and in different ways every year. One remarkable instance of that happening this year took place in the World Languages Department, as German B students polished up their language skills through the lens of the meditative and mindfulness practices of Tibetan Buddhism.
Through a partnership with the Rubin Museum internally led by German B Teacher Undine Groeger, students learned stress-reduction techniques through a series of workshops led by Jacqueline Smith, the Rubin Museum’s Senior Manager of Curriculum Development and Education. These workshops are part of the museum’s “Mandala Lab in Your Classroom" program, which utilizes Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning (SEE Learning®) methodology. SEE Learning® is an education program developed by Emory University in collaboration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama that goes beyond social emotional learning to include the development of compassion, interpersonal awareness, and the ethical discernment of the child into education.
Mandala Lab in Your Classroom aims to cultivate emotional awareness and compassion in the classroom through Himalayan art and its insights. The lessons, which are inspired by the teachings from a particular mandala from the Rubin’s collection, not only improved our students’ wellness, but their grasp of the German language, as they relearned the techniques with German vocabulary and used them on each other.
Ms. Groeger, who also specializes in mindfulness and healing through the arts, reinforced their learnings with a customized IB curriculum adapted to each grade level with a focus on health and wellbeing. She noted that this partnership was important for Dwight students, saying, "We must take into account the emotions our students are experiencing and create opportunities for them to express these feelings in ways that enhance belonging and learning.”
Students not only created art projects to synthesize what they had learned (and felt), but Ms. Groeger also incorporated breathwork, singing bowls, and the exploration of sound frequencies — along with how they connect to and symbolize our actions and their effects in our lives. For instance, students studied how a singing bowl symbolizes the effect of their actions by filling one with water and observing the water ripples when the bowl is played.
In reflections, the students took notice of how beneficial the partnership was. Marin G ’29 stated, “The Mandala Lab collaboration in the German classroom helped me express my feelings through nonverbal art and crafts. Writing my affirmations in English and German helped me practice my German in an extremely fun and creative way.”
Frank K ’29 added, “This unit helped me to understand German on a deeper level because it incorporated art, so I could express myself, and it helped me learn German [more easily] because I could correlate emotions in German to the Mandala Lab.”
In addition, the partnership allowed Chancellor Stephen H. Spahn to engage with the German B students on how the ideas from the workshop come to life through the Tibetan artwork found at the school — the very same artwork for which the Rubin Museum is known (Chancellor Spahn is also a former Rubin Museum Board member). He spoke of the mandala as the source of all energy to which every student is connected, in a way that echoed the Spark of Genius ethos.
Eight students solidified what they had learned in the workshops through a guided tour of Dwight School’s Tibetan art given by Chancellor Spahn himself, as well as a visit to the now-closed Rubin Museum galleries downtown, where they participated in hands-on activities, engaging the five senses to explore how to cool their anger, check their pride, let go of attachment, and act without envy.
Twenty-five schools are currently taking part in the Rubin Museum’s “Mandala Lab in Your Classroom” initiative, but many collaborations happen with social studies or world religion curriculum units. Dwight’s entry to the initiative through a world language unit is something that stood out to Ms. Smith. She also noted the curiosity of our Dwight students, saying, “ I really appreciated the participation of the Dwight students throughout, how curious they were, how receptive they were to learning about a culture that they may have been unfamiliar with previously. So I think because of the ethos of the school, it creates students who are very open-minded, who seek out knowledge and inspiration and a very expanded horizon.”
In the end, it was a beautiful partnership that highlighted the best of Dwight: not only creating a truly interdisciplinary IB experience that meaningfully combined German, SEE Learning®, and global perspectives, but highlighting the philosophy of its Chancellor, supported by our three pillars of Personalized Learning, Community, and Global Vision.
![Spring Season: Lions Finish the Year Strong]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1781121428/dwightnewyork/caq4ieo0dldgkiugakyl/SpringAthleticsRecap.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1781121428/dwightnewyork/caq4ieo0dldgkiugakyl/SpringAthleticsRecap.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1781121428/dwightnewyork/caq4ieo0dldgkiugakyl/SpringAthleticsRecap.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1781121428/dwightnewyork/caq4ieo0dldgkiugakyl/SpringAthleticsRecap.png","width":940}])
From individual milestones to championship victories, Dwight athletes competed with determination and represented their teams and community with pride.
The Spring Season was defined by growth, perseverance, and plenty of memorable moments. As we close out another outstanding year of Dwight Athletics, we celebrate the accomplishments of our Spring teams and the dedication they demonstrated throughout the season.
A few highlights: Varsity Rugby captured the New York Metropolitan Division 2 Championship for the first time since 2018, then went on to claim the New York State Division 2 Championship! Varsity Golf captured the ACIS Regular Season Championship and advanced to the NYSAIS State Championship playoffs, while Varsity Boys Tennis earned both the ACIS Regular Season and Playoff Championships before competing at the NYSAIS State Championships.
Varsity Boys Volleyball added to Dwight’s championship success by claiming the ACIS Regular Season and Playoff Championship. Varsity Outdoor Track & Field rounded out a strong postseason showing by qualifying athletes for the NYSAIS Championships, continuing a proud tradition of postseason success.
Across all sports, athletes embraced challenges, celebrated achievements, and supported one another along the way. We are incredibly proud of everything our teams accomplished this season and look forward to seeing what they achieve in the year ahead.
Continue reading for more on how our Lions went above and beyond in the final season of the 2025-26 school year:
Varsity Boys Volleyball | Coaches Jan Gallao and Katherine Duquiatan
Excellence defined the Varsity Boys Volleyball team's extraordinary season. Despite entering the year with just three returning players after losing a large senior class, the team rebuilt from the ground up, and the results were nothing short of remarkable.
The team finished their season with a 7-0 record, capturing both the ACIS Regular Season and ACIS Playoff Championship, and claiming the top spot in the ACIS standings. They also advanced to the NYSAIS Tournament, reaching the Quarterfinals.
A favorite memory of the season came in their match against Trevor, when the team found itself down 0-2. They dug deep, reversed the score, and won 3-2 in a thrilling comeback. It was that moment that showed the coaches just how special this group could be.
The run was even more impressive due to a young roster with no seniors and three eighth graders, who consistently competed against and defeated more experienced opponents.
“I’m incredibly proud of what this team accomplished,” said Coach Gallao.” To go undefeated with such a young group, against the competition we faced, is a tremendous achievement.”
The team looks forward to carrying this momentum into next season and returning ready to defend their title.
Varsity Boys Tennis | Coach Mark Clemente
The Varsity Boys Tennis team delivered an outstanding season, finishing undefeated and claiming first place in the ACIS standings before going on to win the League Championship. The team also competed in the ISAL standings, finishing fifth, and advanced to the NYSAIS State Championship playoffs. Martin Acosta-Stuehmke ’28 qualified for the NYSAIS tournament as the No. 5 seed, while Jaylen Chang ’29 and Martin Srpon ’27 earned the No. 1 seed in the doubles bracket.
What set this team apart wasn’t just their record — it was their resilience. Coach Clemente said, “Faced with a young roster and key injuries along the way, players stepped up and delivered when it mattered most.”
Favorite memories from the season included matches tied 2-2 that came down to a deciding fifth set, with younger players rising to the occasion and contributing at crucial moments. Capturing the championship once again was an exciting way to cap off a great season.
Off the court, the team’s chemistry was just as evident. Huddling together to strategize, bond, and prepare for each new challenge, the Lions carried a collective sense of purpose throughout the spring.
Varsity Softball | Coaches Anthony Rodriguez and Abby Buchmeyer
The Varsity Softball team closed out their season with a 3-4 record, placing 4th in the ACIS standings.
A favorite memory of the season came from Senior Captain Kathryn McMahan, who nearly sent the ball over the fence three times in a single game, a highlight that had the whole sideline on their feet. That energy was a defining feature of this team all season long.
Coach Rodriguez said, “Isabella, Kathryn, and Sophia brought enthusiasm to the bench, keeping the team loud and energized through every inning. Their leadership through chants and encouragement helped set the tone and kept the spirit high throughout the spring.”
With a young and motivated group gaining valuable experience this season, the team heads into the offseason with clear goals: to strengthen aspects of their game and make a strong push toward the ACIS Championships next year.
Varsity Baseball | Coach Jonathan Ascher
The Varsity Baseball team earned a spot in the ACIS Semifinals after finishing the regular season with a 5-4 record and 4th place finish in the ACIS standings. Throughout the spring, the team continued to develop both individually and collectively.
One of the team's greatest challenges came late in the season when a key player was sidelined just one week before playoffs. Despite the setback, the players remained focused and competed at a high level, demonstrating the perseverance and adaptability that defined this group throughout the year.
The season was also shaped by the leadership of seniors Theo Cornick, Luke Jackson, and Julian Nacht. Having coached all three athletes for four years, Coach Ascher saw firsthand the impact they made on the program. “Their leadership, experience, and dedication helped guide the team throughout the season and set a positive example for their teammates,” he said
Looking ahead, the Lions are excited about the strong core of returning players who will continue to build on this season’s success next year.
Varsity Golf | Coaches Christie Kim and Scott Rawbone
The Varsity Golf team had an incredible season, finishing undefeated with a 6-0 regular season record and capturing the ACIS Regular Season Championship. The team also advanced to the NYSAIS State Championship playoffs.
What made the season special were the memories made along the way. Highlights from the senior class included Paul Wilpon coming within inches of a hole-in-one on the fourth hole, Jackson Shell sharpening his chipping skills at a team clinic, and William Scibilia drawing laughs before the season began with the question, “How many people are going to be on the team? My mom would like to know.”
Captain Paul Wilpon ’26 captured the team’s spirit well, saying, “This season’s team was filled with animated players, all with great passion for the game. We had great team chemistry and the collective goal of winning every time we stepped on the course.”
Off the course, the team worked just as hard, navigating academic demands alongside their athletics commitments. With another season of experience behind them, the Lions are eager to return next season and build on this year's success.
Varsity Rugby | Coaches Heidi Rubenstein and Arnold Chavis
Dwight Varsity Rugby delivered a historic spring season, finishing first in the Rugby NY Division II standings with an outstanding 6-1 record before capturing the first state championship in program history. The team set winning the Division II State Championship as their goal from day one and approached it one game at a time. They stayed committed, supported one another, and worked hard to reach their goal.
What made this team special wasn't just the outcome but the journey that led to it. Many of the seniors have been playing together since grade 8 or 9, helping build the program from the ground up. Captains Ilan Rivera ’26 and Vicente Ribeiro ’26 led with intensity and a passion for the game. Ilan earned All-Star honors and the Trust Award from his teammates, a reflection of his role as the vocal leader who brought people together and held the squad together over the years. Vicente brought a calm, composed presence that grounded the team in critical moments and earned him the Heart of the Lion Award. Lorenzo Capra ’26 combined natural athleticism with a relentless work ethic, earning him All-Star honors and Most Valuable Player of the State Championship match. Peter Ullman ’26 finished as the team’s leading scorer. Alberto Garcia Haddad ’26 and Hugo Newman ’26, both with the program since grade 8, were dependable presences throughout their careers, while Alessandro de Rossi ’26 was among the first to join as a ninth grader. Seniors Riccardo Toigo, Hunter Newman, and Daniel Born de Andres joined this year and fit in immediately, playing key roles in the team’s success.
Coach Rubenstein reflected on the season, saying, “Seeing these young men develop not only as rugby players, but also as leaders and teammates, made the journey every bit as rewarding as the title.”
Eight of the twelve seniors are committed or interested in playing rugby in college, and the team looks ahead with excitement to the challenge of a rebuilding season next year.
Varsity Track & Field | Coaches Rachel Soyk and Jamal Sharpe
Perseverance and personal achievement defined the Varsity Track program’s Spring Season, with standout results at both the team and individual levels. The Women’s team earned a 2nd place finish at the ISAL Championships meet, while the Men’s team placed 7th.
Five athletes further distinguished themselves by earning invitations to compete at the NYSAIS Meet: Chloe Norrington ’30 (1500m & 3000m), Clyde Riffaterre ’28 (800m & 1600m), Camilo DeGeest ’28 (100m & 400m), Astrid Brinzer ’28 (800m & Long Jump), and Leo Meier ’29 (100m).
Balancing rigorous academics with the demands of Track wasn’t easy, but athletes continued to compete, support one another, and carry themselves with pride. Coach Soyk’s favorite memory of the season was watching the team step up at meets and deliver personal bests: proof that dedication pays off. Her message to the team said it best: “It never gets easier, you only get stronger.”
Looking ahead, the program is excited to keep building on this foundation. With many experienced returners coming back, the team aims to foster a positive culture, push for more personal bests, and translate this year’s growth into even greater success next season.
MS Tennis | Coaches Erik Kanzer and Marcus
The Middle School Tennis team had a great season built on teamwork, good attitudes, and a love for the game. Though the season was shorter than hoped, the team rose to the challenge by staying positive, supporting one another, and making the most of every opportunity.
The highlight of the season was a trip to New Jersey to compete against other schools. For many players, the chance to travel together, compete, and spend time as a team outside of the normal school day made it a truly memorable experience.
Coach Erik noted that "this season was marked by fantastic coaching," pointing to Coach Marcus as a steady presence who kept players motivated and helped them grow both on and off the court.
Looking ahead to next season, the team has its sights set on sharpening their skills with a particular focus on developing stronger serves. If this season is any indication, they will carry the same energy and enthusiasm into next year.
MS Track & Field | Coaches Rachel Soyk and Alex Hurtado
Determination and team spirit defined the Middle School Track program’s Spring Season. Despite facing challenges with practice attendance during an especially busy stretch of the academic year, the athletes showed up when it counted and delivered strong performances at the MS Medal Meet, with the Girls’ team placing 2nd and the Boys’ team placing 3rd.
What made this season memorable wasn’t just the results, but the growth that happened along the way. Coach Soyk enjoyed watching athletes step up at meets and achieve personal bests, a testament to the fact that hard work and perseverance pay off, even during a demanding season. “The middle schoolers competed hard, supported one another, and represented the team with pride throughout the spring, showing resilience and camaraderie all season long,” she said.
Looking ahead, the team is excited to continue building the program and helping athletes develop both their skills and confidence. The focus for next season will be on fostering a positive team culture, and seeing even more athletes reach new personal bests.
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Why the IB?
Dwight’s inspiring faculty encourage students to believe in their own talents, pursue their passions, and take intellectual risks through the IB. No other curriculum fits better with our mission of igniting the spark of genius in every child — and vision of educating critical thinkers and innovative global leaders. The academic breadth and depth of the IB are simply unparalleled, which is why it is recognized worldwide as the “gold standard” in college preparation.