News

It came as a surprise to Pamela Hart Rago ’71, P’04 when her son Will ’04 decided to enlist in the United States Army at the age of 23.

Students in Shelly Kaye’s 12th grade English seminar were treated to a fascinating presentation from filmmaker, musician and entrepreneur Andrew Jarecki.

A drop in temperature didn’t cool the excitement during last Friday’s middle school soccer tournament fundraiser.

A group of Masters School students and one member of the faculty headed into New York City on Saturday, November 9, to attend the Young Men of Color Symposium, a leadership conference for young self-identified men of color in grades 6 through 12 in the New York City area and beyond.

A mere 45 minutes north of Dobbs Ferry sits the historic United States Military Academy at West Point, one of the five United States service academies. 

Paint-dipped cotton balls flew across the quad and landed on canvases, creating colorful images that were reminiscent of famed abstract expressionist Jackson Pollack’s work.

Nearly 200 students, faculty and administrators from 12 peer schools gathered on The Masters School campus for the 3rd Annual Saturday Summit on Social Justice (SSSJ) on Saturday, November 2.

On Friday, October 25, Cheryl Hajjar’s AP Art History class headed to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan to study a number of the museum’s collections.

In June 2020, a group of upper school students will immerse themselves in the culture of Senegal on our Immersion Senegal! Summer International Trip. 

As part of their study of the United States Constitution, eighth grade students traveled to historic Philadelphia on Tuesday, October 29.

Halloween is one of the most anticipated days of the year at Masters, and as one walked the halls of the School on Thursday, October 31, it was clear why.

A cast of 16 upper school students performed a rousing rendition of Shakespeare's romantic comedy "Twelfth Night" on Friday, October 25, and Saturday, October 26.

The varsity girls tennis squad capped off a great season in style at this past Monday's Senior Day match against visiting Kennedy Catholic.

As part of their yearlong study of opera, fifth grade students attended a final dress rehearsal of Puccini's time-honored classic “La Bohème” at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City on Tuesday, October 22.

The Masters School welcomed hundreds of prospective families to campus on Saturday, October 19, during Open House.

Seventh graders were in character as immigrants entering the United States through Ellis Island on Thursday, October 24.

The year’s first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Assembly took place on Tuesday, October 15, and included a presentation by diversity ambassadors and a panel discussion with faculty, staff and administrators.

For one festive night each year, a passel of parent volunteers transforms the second floor of the Fonseca Center — normally a somewhat staid environment — into a gigantic game room, replete with a magician, photo booth, arts and crafts stations, and more.

The School’s newest international students visited one of the oldest cities in the country last weekend.

Members of the Class of 2020 flaunted their green thumbs on Wednesday, October 16.

The School is delighted to offer students the opportunity to visit Peru during spring break 2020, from March 14 - 21. 

The total area of Russia is 6,612,073 square miles. The endangered snow leopard is native to Mongolia. Italians have been creating pasta dishes as far back as the 4th century.

The Masters School's Athletic Department recently teamed up with an animated children's series that focuses on social issues and inclusivity to bring awareness to National Coming Out Day on Friday, October 11.

What do marshmallows have to do with managing money? According to comedic speaker and author Colin Ryan, the answer is: a lot.

The School’s annual celebration of founder Eliza Bailey Masters on Friday, October 4, was filled with school spirit, friendly competitions, and a whole lot of red and blue gear.

Cheers rang from the crowd of students, faculty and administrators as Head of School Laura Danforth announced the five teachers who received faculty awards during the All School Meeting on Friday, October 4.

“To be a power for good in the world” is an important concept within The Masters School’s mission that is deeply ingrained in the School's culture and community. 

It was a successful week for Masters' varsity athletic squads, as girls tennis, girls volleyball and boys soccer all recorded victories.

Upper school faculty members welcomed parents and guardians into their classrooms on Saturday, September 20, to give families a taste of their children’s education around the Harkness table.

A rare fruit may eventually be a common sight on The Masters School campus thanks to upper school history teacher Eric Shapiro.

Seventh grade students were spotted on a scavenger hunt, creating maps, and building primitive shelters around campus this week.

Colorful ribbons hung from a handful of trees on the campus quad, the culmination of an activity called The Climate Ribbon that the Middle School participated in on Friday, September 27.

The varsity girls volleyball team lost a hard-fought battle against visiting Convent of the Sacred Heart, 3-1, on Wednesday, September 18, at the Fonseca Center.

Adding their voices to the demands of participants in the global climate strikes that took place in cities across the U.S. and the world on Friday, September 20, Masters School students participated in educational activities on campus that focused on the environment.

This summer, George Chang ’22 was visiting a salt field in China with a photography tour when he snapped a picture of three individuals working to extract salt from the sea.

The Upper School held its first annual DoPA (Department of Performing Arts) Day during the Masters Hour on Tuesday, September 18.

Middle school parents and guardians went back to the classroom as they followed a sample schedule and met their children’s teachers during Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 12. 

Upper school students enjoyed an exciting round of class trips last weekend.

Upper school English teacher Miriam Emery walked down to the Dobbs Ferry Public Library with her Untold American Stories junior seminar class on Monday, September 9.

Masters School students, faculty and staff observed moments of silence and commemorated the 18th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, during each division’s Morning Meeting on Wednesday, September 11.

Excitement, energy and enthusiasm filled The Masters School campus over the past two weeks as students returned to kick off a new year.

Athletes and dancers at The Masters School have been grinding away at their respective crafts since the start of preseason training on Monday, August 26.

Middle School students took the stage in the Claudia Boettcher Theatre one final time this year to perform at the annual Spring Showcase on Thursday, June 6.

Congratulations to the members of the Class of 2019!

On a sunny Saturday in June, the 116 members of the Class of 2019 walked across Graduation Terrace, accepted their diplomas, and became alumnae/i of The Masters School.

The Annual Senior Awards Ceremony saw 31 awards presented to members of the Class of 2019.

The fifth grade’s yearlong, interdisciplinary study of ancient Egypt and opera culminated in two impressive puppet opera performances on Thursday, May 30, in Doc Wilson Hall.

One could be forgiven for thinking that U2 was performing at The Masters School on Wednesday, June 5, since, after all, an impressive version of their song “Vertigo” was emanating out of the Claudia Boettcher Theatre.

As co-coordinator of residential life with the School’s environmental group, EFFECT, Casey Li ’19 has been involved with environmental initiatives on campus for the past three years.

Nora Fellas ’20 has some advice for the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates.

Middle School students separated into six teams by colors — red, orange, blue, white, yellow and green — and competed in a series of games during Field Day on Friday, May 24.

Local elderly residents donned leis and enjoyed an evening of dinner, conversation and dancing with Masters students during the Hawaiian-themed Seniors 4 Seniors Prom on Tuesday, May 28, in the Doc Wilson Hall.

Over the course of the school year, the sixth grade has explored the Hudson River from various angles, from seining in it to canoeing on it.

An enthusiastic audience of more than 60 students and teachers packed into the Library Conference Room on Thursday, May 30, to watch as Alex Bentzien ’19 and Elliott Feder ’19 debuted their two original music videos — “Stars In My Eyes” and “Ingenue” — for their senior project.

Numerous plaques and certificates were handed out during the 2018-19 Upper School Athletic Awards Night on Wednesday, May 29 in the Claudia Boettcher Theatre.

There are two words that can aptly describe the seventh grade experience: a journey.

On Saturday, May 18, Colleen Roche, Upper School history teacher, became the 18th Masters School teacher in the School’s history to receive the Anna Howe Faculty Award.

Pass by the Middle School and you will see a new addition nearby: an outdoor classroom.

A delegation of students and faculty from Cours Sainte Marie de Hann, Masters’ sister school in Dakar, Senegal, visited from Thursday, April 18, through Thursday, May 2.

The eighth grade’s yearlong exploration of American identity and study of American rock music culminated in a rousing Arts Expo on Wednesday, May 15, in Doc Wilson Hall. 

Ms. Hajjar's Studio Art class recently toured the International Print Center, as well as the Center for Book Arts, in New York City.

Julia Mathas ’19 has spent much of her senior year focusing on the past — from 1914 until 1920, to be exact.

With a victory over visiting Horace Mann on Wednesday, May 8, the boys' varsity volleyball squad punched its ticket back to the New York City Athletic League (NYCAL) championship.

Sixth grade students hopped into canoes and paddled through Constitution Marsh in Garrison, NY, on Thursday, May 2.

Four seventh grade students stood before their peers and delivered original, persuasive speeches in Doc Wilson Hall on Thursday, May 9.

Upper School students took the stage in the Experimental Theater for the annual Spring Shorts performance on Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4.

Student models donning traditional cultural attire stepped out onto the stage in the Claudia Boettcher Theatre on Monday, May 6, during morning meeting.

Young scientists eager to share their findings filled the Doc Wilson Hall on Friday, April 26, during the annual Celebration of Science.

As the recipient of an honorable mention from the National YoungArts Foundation, Vincent Alban ’19 was invited to attend YoungArts New York, an intensive week of interdisciplinary workshops, seminars and master classes with leaders in the field.

One day every year, the faculty rooms in Masters Hall and the Middle School are filled to the brim with delicious treats and Estherwood Mansion is transformed into a spa, replete with manicures and massages.

Led Zeppelin may have had its heyday in the 1970s, but its music was back in the spotlight during Great Gig in the Sky’s performance of the British rock band’s album Houses of the Holy on Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27.

Masters hosted the Fairchester Athletic Association track and field championships at Greene Family Field from Tuesday, April 30, to Wednesday, May 1.

This year's Spirit Week, which took place from Monday, April 29, through Friday, May 3, included sports games, performances, dress-up days and fun activities for all. 

It’s as predictable as the seasons: when the weather gets warm, the quad fills up with students who are eager to enjoy the sun.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) club has held a host of activities designed to help students understand the impact of alcohol use.

The third annual TEDxTheMastersSchool will take place on Friday, May 17, at 4:30 PM in the Experimental Theater of the Fonseca Center.

Artistic exploration was the theme of the day for Ms. Langosch's Photo Major and Photo III classes and Ms. Hajjar's Studio Art class as the group headed into Brooklyn on Wednesday, April 24, to visit the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Botanical Garden.

Next week is Spirit Week in the Upper School! We hope to see you at many of these events.

The mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Friday, March 15, has prompted action and education in the Masters community.

The entire ninth grade headed into New York City on Friday, April 12, for their annual City Project. 

The Middle School baseball squad played its home opener against Rye Country Day School on Wednesday, April 17 at Clarke Field.

Freshman Andrew Han traveled across the Atlantic to perform at Royal Albert Hall in London on Monday, April 15.

In celebration of Earth Day on Monday, April 22, EFFECT will be hosting an entire week of environmental initiatives and events. 

Several Masters students stood up in front of a captive audience and shared their original poetry during the 9th Annual Westchester Poetry Festival on Saturday, April 6.

Thanks to a student-led initiative, the Fonseca Center gym was transformed into a blood drive center on Wednesday, April 10, with students, parents and faculty members lining up to donate.

In honor of Earth Day on Monday, April 22, fifth graders are doing their part to spread awareness about the importance of recycling.

Four students from Japan traveled across the globe to spend two weeks with the Masters community, learning about American culture and sharing their culture with Masters students.

The Middle School softball squad opened the season against visiting Rippowam Cisqua on Wednesday, April 10 at Evans Field. 

On Thursday, April 11 at 6:30 PM, the Department of Performing Arts will present its 2019 Prism Concert, subtitled "Transitions," in Estherwood.

As Dakota Daniello ’23 stood at center court during a break in Monday’s New York Knicks game against the Chicago Bulls, the gravity of the moment kicked in.

The Masters School is proud to host a blood drive on Wednesday, April 10, from 12:30-6:30 PM in the Fonseca Center Gym.

Estherwood became the setting for resolutions, parliamentary procedures, and a global crisis Monday, April 1, as the entire 10th grade participated in the annual Model UN day. 

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion leadership group treated Middle School students to a movie night on Friday, March 29, replete with popcorn, soft drinks and other movie theater fare. 

On Saturday, March 9, 2019, Upper School students and faculty members traveled across the globe to Chengdu, China, for a 10-day cultural immersion trip.

Students and faculty returned from spring break to a sweet surprise in the Cameron Mann Dining Hall: a brand-new frozen dessert machine.

Matthew Pollack ’20 has been interested in World War II history for many years, and so when he had the opportunity to meet retired U.S. Senator Bob Dole, who is a World War II veteran, he jumped at the opportunity.

Six Upper School students and two faculty members traveled to the American South over the spring break to participate in community service and learn about life in that region of the United States.

Please save the date for these upcoming events for parents and guardians.

The varsity winter sports season came to a close over the last few weeks and there were a number of standout postseason performances by our talented fencing, indoor track and swimming athletes.

The Middle School presented a clever, whimsical and impressive production of the musical Seussical yesterday evening, Thursday, March 7, and today, Friday, March 8.

Jennyfer "JJ" Marquez '19 celebrated her college commitment before a large group of friends, family, teammates, teachers, coaches and administrators during a ceremony held on Wednesday, March 6, in the Sharon Room.

The audience at the Winter Evening of Jazz concert, which took place on Thursday, February 28, in the Fonseca Center’s Morris Recital Hall, was treated to both modern and classic jazz tunes performed by Upper School musicians. 

The seniors in Masters Thesis class worked for months researching topics of their interest and writing a 25-page paper exploring each issue.

The crowd in the Claudia Boettcher Theatre leaped to its feet at the conclusion of the Upper School’s moving performance of Fiddler on the Roof to offer a standing ovation.

As the buzzer sounded at the conclusion of the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) girls’ basketball championship game on Monday, February 25, time seemed to stand still.

The Middle School's Literary Month ended this week with a three-day book fair and an event on Wednesday, February 27, with author, literary agent and Masters parent Tanya McKinnon P'24 on "Talking About Hard History."

The normally quiet third floor of the Fonseca Center was filled with decorations and buzzing with conversations on Wednesday, February 27, as dozens of students gathered to participate in a speed dating psychology experiment.

MISH’s annual “Share the Love” fundraiser to benefit Jonestown, Mississippi, raised $1,110 this year through the sale of 1,091 carnations that were distributed on Valentine's Day.

The Middle School girls’ basketball squad squared off against visiting Convent of the Sacred Heart School on Tuesday, February 19.

The Middle School Winter Talent Show on Friday, February 15, lived up to its name, with more than a dozen students taking the stage in the Claudia Boettcher Theatre to showcase their talents during performances that included singing, magic tricks, playing guitar and solving Rubik’s Cube puzzle.

Sophomore Carolyn Hohl has received two Scholastic Award Silver Keys, one each for “Still White” and “Lines on the Sidewalk,” two poems that she submitted to the competition.

172 colorful pop art portraits have filled the Wenberg Art Gallery on the third floor of the Fonseca Center.

Dobbs 16 took the stage this past weekend at the International Championship of High School A Cappella quarterfinals in Wakefield, Massachusetts, performing three well-crafted songs at the annual competition.

Steve Sheinkin thinks history is exciting, and he made a good case for this belief during a presentation to Middle School students on Monday, February 11.

A big topic — climate change — was on the table during the seventh-grade life science class on Monday, February 4, as Dr. Radley Horton P’24 from Columbia University’s Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory visited with the students to share pertinent information and ways to make a positive impact. 

The Masters School was delighted to welcome 12 students and two faculty from Chengdu School Number 7 International Division in Chengdu, China, for a successful and memorable exchange from Sunday, January 27, through Saturday, February 9.

Eighth-grade vocalist Alisa Beck '23 will be adding another performance to her already impressive repertoire, as she joins the Random Farms Kids’ Theater production of Rent at the Tarrytown Music Hall on Saturday, February 9, and Sunday, February 10.

The varsity boys' basketball team celebrated Senior Night in style on Wednesday, February 6, defeating visiting King School, 69-50, in front of a spirited crowd at the Fonseca Center.

Brooke Tatarian ’21 cracked 1,000 career points at the Say Yes to Success Elite Prep Showcase on Monday, January 21.

A photo of an impromptu gymnastic stunt — a handstand, to be specific — has resulted in a fresh accolade for Vincent Alban ’19.

On Friday, February 1, students in the fifth and sixth grades began Literary Month with a World Read Aloud Day celebration.

The stands were full of roaring fans on Tuesday, January 29, as parents and students packed the den for the girls' varsity basketball game against St. Luke’s.

This week, The Masters School community welcomed 12 students and two teachers from our partner school, Chengdu School Number 7, in Chengdu, China.

February may be the shortest month, but it is packed full of great literary events. 

It was both a celebration of progress and a conversation about current issues that powered the Middle School's Martin Luther King Jr. Day events on Tuesday, January 22. Students and faculty gathered in Doc Wilson Hall on to commemorate the iconic leader of the American Civil Rights Movement and his legacy. 

The streets and people of New York City provided inspiration for Upper School students in Ms. Langosch’s digital photography and photo major classes, as the group headed to the city last week for a day of experiential learning.

Months of preparation paid off, as Middle School students took to the stage in the Claudia Boettcher Theatre on Friday, January 11, for the annual winter concert.