Our History
"The ideal of the school is not the adaptation of the individual to the existing social environment; it is to develop individuals who are competent to change their environment in greater conformity with moral ideals." - ECFS founder, Felix Adler.
- Video: History
- Learn More about:
- The History of ECFS
- Felix Adler
Meet Our Students
ECFS is a close-knit and vibrant community, where dedicated faculty members challenge and engage students though experiential and hands-on learning. Through a curriculum rooted in the tenets of progressive education, our students become independent learners and thinkers and active citizens in the world.
Academics
For over 135 years, Ethical Cultural Fieldston has been committed to academic excellence, offering a challenging curriculum aimed at maximizing the potential of every student.
- Video: Academics
- Learn More about Each Division:
- Ethical Culture
- Fieldston Lower
- Fieldston Middle
- Fieldston Upper
Meet Our Faculty
Whether it's in classrooms and science labs, on the athletic fields or on the stage, ECFS faculty encourage and inspire our students. They are experts in their fields, committed to creating an atmosphere of learning and discovery. Of the 268 faculty members currently teaching at the school, 107 of them have been at the school for 10 years or longer.
Arts
The arts programs at ECFS are designed to inspire creativity and an appreciation of theater, music, dance, and art. Festivals, productions, and performances provide a vehicle to develop new skills and encourage students to pursue their passions.
- Video: Arts
- Learn More about Each Division:
- Ethical Culture
- Fieldston Lower
- Fieldston Middle
- Fieldston Upper
Campus Tour
Located on Manhattan's Upper West Side, Ethical Culture, housed in a landmark six-story building, enjoys its proximity to Central Park. Fieldston Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools share an 18-acre campus in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. Enjoy Our Gallery of Campus Photos
Athletics
Our athletics program has a tradition of excellence and achievement, designed to enrich the academic experience. Supported by outstanding coaches and facilities, our student-athletes participate in myriad sports and interscholastic competitions. Students at Ethical Culture often capitalize on the resources of Central Park for physical education classes.
- Video: Athletics
- Learn More about Each Division:
- Ethical Culture
- Fieldston Lower
- Fieldston Middle
- Fieldston Upper
Multicultural and Progressive Education
"All people are taken to have inherent worth, not dependent on the value of what they do. They are deserving of respect and dignity, and their unique gifts are to be encouraged and celebrated." Felix Adler, ECFS Founder
Learn more about multiculturalism at ECFS by reading our Diversity Statement
Admissions
The Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a dynamic community of students, faculty, staff, parents and alumni all of whom are dedicated to our mission. With an enduring commitment to excellence in progressive education, we inspire a diverse and joyful community of passionate learners, critical thinkers, and ethical individuals who aim to make the world more humane and just.
Interested in learning more? Welcome to Admissions at ECFS
Strategic Planning 2013-2018
The ECFS Strategic Plan is about making manifest the school's founding mission. With this plan, we set goals that will enable our school to epitomize an innovative and inspirational 21st-century model of progressive education.
Read about our Strategic Plan
