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Quest Learning Support Program

A Personalized Approach to Learning

Dwight has proudly offered Quest learning support for more than 50 years. It evolved from Oxford University’s tutorial mentorship model and combines research-based special education pedagogy with the creativity of design thinking. Quest provides students with strength-based and innovative one-on-one academic and organizational training.

What is Quest?

Quest is far more than academic support. Our program combines the convenience and reliability of on-site support with the efficiency of teachers well-versed in the Dwight culture, curriculum, and academic expectations. While the program is designed to help students with learning differences succeed within the rigorous Dwight curriculum, we have integrated Quest support services into the School to benefit all types of learners. The goal of Quest is to provide the structure and expertise of trained educators to maximize every student’s academic potential.

Extensive Support for the Whole Child

Quest teachers help every student understand their learning needs and become self-advocates. They observe students in the classroom as needed, and coordinate with deans and the broader student support team to provide support across all facets of school life.

Academic Support and Skill Building for every track

Strategic remedial instruction is built into the existing International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum from grade 1 through grade 10. In grade 11, students may continue with courses independent of the IB — the Dwight Courses Program — or pursue the full IB Diploma Program. Throughout, Quest students build skills and refine their approach to the material, working toward their chosen academic goals.

Data-Based Progress Reporting

Annual reports chart student progress using the IB Approaches to Learning, a comprehensive framework of essential skills for independent learners. Quest teachers work with parents and students to set specific, measurable goals, monitor progress, and revise them throughout the year.

A Large Support Network

Students have access to the whole Quest team, including specialists in all curricular areas. 

Lower Quest teachers hold Master's degrees in Special Education. Upper Quest teachers receive ongoing training in special education and learning differences — including research-based strategies for language-based learning differences and attention deficits.

How to Apply to Quest

We encourage applicant families to notify the Admissions team during the admissions process if the Quest program is something that they are considering, as space is limited. To alert the Admissions Office, families can either mention their interest in Quest in the parent statement of the application or send us a separate email at upperschooladmissions@dwight.edu for high school, or k8admissions@dwight.edu for Lower and Middle School.

How Quest Teachers Work

At Dwight, Quest provides the individualized attention and comprehensive level of support that tutoring does not.

At the most basic level, Quest teachers provide direct support for students in areas of academic weakness; however, Quest is much more than tutoring and offers many unique advantages.

Quest Teachers Are:

  • Connected with a student’s teachers and administrators on a daily basis
  • Well-versed in the IB curriculum 
  • Knowledgeable of Dwight-specific assignments and expectations
  • Informed, caring, expert mentors for students
  • Experts in specific fields of study at Dwight

Quest Teachers Will:

  • Maintain active communication with families
  • Initiate ongoing communication with classroom teachers 
  • Know the expectations of each student’s individual program of study
  • Help students navigate specific situations that pose a challenge in school
Teacher and students in Quest program

What is Quest Like for Students?

One-on-One Support

Quest support is embedded into a student's schedule. Each student meets individually with their Quest teacher, during their regular school day, three times per six-day cycle. Students are paired with Quest teachers for the duration of the year and, when possible, throughout their entire middle school or high school experience at Dwight.

Through these individual sessions, and as needed in after school opportunities and Saturday study halls, Quest teachers help students find their success and confidence in our rigorous mainstream program.

Additionally, Quest teachers regularly consult with classroom teachers, working together to implement a personalized approach for each of their students. Quest teachers also frequently communicate with parents, delivering comprehensive updates on student progress.

Who are Quest Students?

In any random sample of students, their educational needs will be diverse. Quest students at Dwight are no different. They have a variety of learning styles, strengths, and backgrounds in different grades. Some begin their education at Dwight, some come from special education schools and are ready for a more inclusive education, while others have come from mainstream schools where they struggled with the curriculum. Quest students are able to succeed in a mainstream school with a rigorous curriculum from Quest.

Dwight’s Quest learning support is designed to help two types of students. The first are students whose learning issues were diagnosed early in their schooling. These students often come from a full special education setting and have received support throughout their school careers. The second type of student has progressed through Lower and Middle Schools without solidifying their basic skills set.

What Characteristics Describe a Student Who Benefits from Quest Support?

Dwight is a diverse community of scholars, who are celebrated for their passions and differences. Students who receive Quest are a key part of our vibrant community. They are:

“She and her family set out to find a school that understood both dyslexia and accommodations. This time they found it: Dwight School in New York City. They have a learning center called Quest. It is not in a closet; it’s actually a full room of teachers who work with students, one that is located pretty central, next to classrooms.They were actually very friendly about my accommodations and didn’t make me feel bad about needing them. They were understanding, which really made a difference.”

- Excerpt from Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz, a leading neuroscientist and special education expert

Leadership

Joshua Kigel, Director of Quest
Joshua Kigel, Director of Quest

212.724.6360
jkigel@dwight.edu

A portrait of Sarah Mattingly.
Sarah Mattingly, Associate Director of Upper Quest & Dwight Courses Coordinator
A portrait of Mackenzie Fraenkel on a blue background.
Mackenzie Fraenkel, Lower Quest Coordinator
A portrait of Emily Chakwin with a blue background.
Emily Chakwin, School Accommodations Coordinator

The Story of a Quest Alumnus