This Is Masters

The Masters School is a leading college preparatory school distinguished by its transformative approach to teaching and learning: the Harkness method. 

Around the Harkness table — the centerpiece of most classrooms on campus — students are active participants in the learning process. Through seminar-style conversations, they hone their ability to think critically about complex topics, to listen deeply, to speak with clarity and nuance, and to welcome diverse perspectives. 

Conversations around the Harkness table – whether in computer science, European history or Latin class – challenge students to actively participate, solve problems collaboratively, engage with new ideas and perspectives and lead meaningful discussions. 

Students in our five-day boarding program pair the benefits of boarding during the week — full-time access to faculty and school resources, and a global community of boarders from across the country and world — with the convenience of going home on the weekends. 

Students in our seven-day boarding program have a fully immersive experience that capitalizes on our close proximity to New York City and prime location in the heart of the scenic Hudson Valley. Whether it’s heading into Manhattan for a Broadway show or professional sports game, hiking nearby high peaks, or spending the day in the charming village of Dobbs Ferry just down the hill from campus, weekends at Masters are an invitation to explore, connect and, most importantly, have fun. 

Masters students come from 21 countries and 9 states, bringing a wide range of perspectives to every part of campus — from the Harkness table and dining hall to the athletic fields and dorms. These daily interactions foster intercultural fluency, expand global awareness and develop into lifelong friendships. 

 

By learning alongside peers from across the country and globe, every student — whether day, five-day boarding or seven-day boarding — grows in their understanding of the world and their place in it.

Masters also engages in cultural exchanges with schools in China, the Dominican Republic, Japan and Senegal. These exchanges, where delegations of students from international schools visit Masters and vice versa, allow our students to celebrate differences and forge global relationships. 

Masters graduates matriculate at a broad range of schools, including the most selective institutions in the nation and abroad.

 

The College Counseling Office takes a highly personalized approach to supporting students through the college process. Our goal is to ensure all students receive admission offers from colleges or universities that best align with their academic goals and professional aspirations. 

 

To achieve this goal, our counselors work closely with each student to identify institutions where they will thrive academically, personally and socially. 

 

Your college journey starts here.

The Innovation, Engineering and Computer Science program empowers students from grades 5–12 to bring ideas to life through hands-on, project-based learning. Housed in the new Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center — a 21,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility equipped with cutting-edge technology — students explore design thinking, social entrepreneurship, engineering and computer science. They tackle real-world challenges, nurture in-demand talents, and develop creativity, innovative thinking and an entrepreneurial mindset — skills necessary to succeed in an ever-evolving world. 

Science Research is a three-year, college-level program in which students pursue independent projects under expert mentors in fields from biology to computer science. Through coursework, summer internships and ongoing faculty guidance they dive deep into their chosen topic all while sharpening critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills while preparing to present at major competitions. Masters students regularly excel and receive top honors at prestigious regional and international fairs including the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the GENIUS Olympiad, Regeneron Westchester Science & Engineering Fair (WESEF) and the New York State Science & Engineering Fair (NYSSEF). 

The Journalism Collaborative immerses students in the full spectrum of journalistic practice: interviewing, fact-checking, media literacy and narrative crafting across web, print, video, podcast and social media. Students tap into their curiosity by asking questions about and exploring the world around them, and, ultimately, crafting factual, balanced narratives. Equipped with industry-standard tools such as Adobe InDesign and Final Cut Pro, student journalists produce work that regularly earns awards and accolades from prestigious organizations including the National Scholastic Press Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the New York Press Association. 

The Global Studies program immerses students in transformative cultural experiences — both at home and abroad — to help them understand and navigate a complex, interconnected world with empathy and cultural fluency. Students participate in exchanges with and trips to Italy, Japan, Senegal and the Dominican Republic. During trips abroad, students learn through cultural immersion and discover countries’ rich histories by visiting important cultural sites. This deep, hands-on learning helps students gain perspective, foster empathy and confidently connect across cultures. 

All students participate in WinterMission, a mini-term during which they encounter new subjects, skills and ideas that challenge them to explore the School's mission in unexpected ways. WinterMission ignites students' curiosity and expands our understanding of where and how we learn — and what it means to be a power for good in the world.

Just 12 miles away, New York City serves as an extension of our campus, offering extraordinary academic and cultural opportunities.

Students delve deeper into their academic studies through unparalleled opportunities in one of the world’s greatest cultural and business capitals. They meet with industry leaders, hone their research skills with guidance from scientists at top medical labs and universities, attend performances at the Metropolitan Opera, explore world-renowned museums and study iconic architecture. 

For boarding students, weekends often include trips to the city. Whether they’re cheering for the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, sampling dim sum in Chinatown or enjoying a Broadway play, students find visits to the Big Apple broaden their perspectives and provide meaningful moments to connect.