by Elizabeth Gariti
In the land of competitive private school admissions, and academic and financial pressure, the Philosophy Day School is a very different place. According to Headmaster William Fox, it is a “rare gem” of the Upper East Side.
Housed in a historic mansion on 79th Street, between 5th and Madison, the Philosophy Day School is an extension of The School of Practical Philosophy. Its curriculum is based on the primary tenet of philosophy: the love of wisdom. It is a curriculum driven by the development of a child’s character, spiritual growth and the belief that every child has a deep potential for learning. During their time at the school, students are encouraged to develop confidence, consideration of others, an awareness of principles, an appreciation of the spiritual nature of life, and a life-long commitment to learning.
Pretty heady stuff for people under the age of 10. But the influence is obvious. During my visit, I saw children who are happy, energetic, outgoing, polite and eager to share their knowledge. And they exhibited true childish innocence, which can be so easily lost in the trappings of today’s society.
According to Bill Fox, “Our emphasis is on character – whether the child is a good person. Even though they are young, we instill in them a sense of service and draw from the teachings of Eastern and Western philosophies to encourage spiritual growth.”
The Philosophy Day School is part of an international network of schools that for over thirty years has been providing and refining a similar education. It was founded in 1994 by parents who wanted their children to have the finest education possible combined with the benefits they themselves were experiencing as students of The School of Practical Philosophy, (www.practicalphilosophy.org). Its genesis was in the Ark Nursery and Kindergarten established in 1975. It expanded into the Abraham Lincoln School in 1994. In September 2005, it became the Philosophy Day School, a name which more clearly acknowledges the principles and origins of the school.
Admissions
There are many aspects about PDS that make it stand out from other private schools. Their admission process is one. While the academic criteria are standard to other private schools, Mr. Fox says, “Our recruitment process isn’t ‘stuffy’. We encourage a relaxed and pressure-free process. The best way to begin is with a visit to the school.” There are open houses in the Autumn every Weds from 8:30-9:30 and other events throughout the year where prospective parents can visit the school and speak with other parents, faculty and staff.
Also, the PDS presents the Calliope Playhouse for Children, a continuing series of exceptional entertainment for children aged 4-10 and their families. It’s open to the public and is a fun, relaxed way for parents and children alike to experience the atmosphere of the Philosophy Day School.
Student Body
There are currently 70 students in five grades, nursery through second. (A third grade will be added for the 2006-2007 school year and a fourth grade the following year.) There are 16-20 students in each class.
Most of the Nursery is populated by Upper East Side children, but the Lower School students come from Manhattan as well as the outer boroughs and New Jersey. The students are a mix of many cultures, religions, nationalities and backgrounds. International families are especially drawn to PDS because of its international flavor.
PDS graduates have been accepted at Browning, Columbia Grammar and Prep, and Sacred Heart among many others.
A Week in the Life
Every day begins with Assembly, where the Lower School children gather to hear stories told by Mr. Fox. The stories are chosen from Eastern and Western civilization and range from Sanskrit, to Christian and Hebrew prayers and stories to Aesop’s Fables.
From Assembly, the children go on to a day that encompasses all aspects of a child’s development: the spiritual, academic, social, emotional and athletic. There is a strong emphasis on a classical education and academics with a focus on reading. Sound reading skills are the key to a sound education according to Mr. Fox. (Judging from the second-grade vocabulary list, this appears to be true – there are words on the list I had to look up!)
Social skills are emphasized by a focus on service. The second-grade class will read to the Pre-Kindergarteners as well as help prepare lunch for the rest of the school. There is also a convention, “caught being good,” where a child is rewarded for acts of kindness and good behavior. This inspires caring for others and de-emphasizes materialism.
Emotional development is encouraged by an immersion in the Arts. The students have music lessons and sing in a choir. They are encouraged to participate in dance and drama and perform Shakespeare. They performed in A Midsummer Night’s Dream last year and are preparing to do scenes from The Tempest this term.
Every Monday, there is swimming, on Wednesdays team sports and every other Friday, the children participate in gymnastics. On alternate Fridays, the school uses New York City as a classroom with trips to Central Park, the Museums and the Botanical Gardens.
This well-balanced curriculum inspires the confidence in students to take risks and reach for their best.
The Teachers
Teachers at PDS have an impressive array of credentials and lengthy experience. “I look for teachers for whom teaching is a life calling, who consider it their service in life,“ says Mr. Fox. It is also required that they embody the qualities to be instilled in the children: honesty, integrity, character and the life-long pursuit of wisdom.
Tuition
“The Philosophy Day School is a bargain,” comments Mr. Fox. With an annual tuition of approximately $15,000, the PDS is half the cost of other private schools. There is also need-based financial aid available. This makes it affordable for a diverse group of students whose parents might not be able to otherwise afford to send their child to a private school.
However, the actual cost of educating a child is approximately $20,000. The deficit is made up through an active fundraising program, including an annual giving campaign and fundraising events. Parents also serve on committees as an investment in the school.
Future Plans
The plan is to eventually move to a new building to house a full 12-grade school, including the pre-school grades of Nursery, Pre-K and Kindergarten. In the meantime, the school will grow along with its current enrollment. The Third Grade will be added next year and the Fourth Grade the year after.
For More Information
If you would like to find out more or schedule a visit, please call 212-744-7300. Or go to the website, www.philosophyday.org.