Our alumni network is a vibrant extension of the Ethical Culture Fieldston School (ECFS) community. It is characterized by a profound sense of community, shared values, and a dedication to lifelong learning and engagement. Rooted in the School’s core principles of ethical responsibility, social justice, and academic excellence, this network provides alumni with opportunities to connect, collaborate, and contribute to the School’s ongoing growth. Through a commitment to belonging, mentorship, and leadership, accomplished ECFS alumni carry forward the values they cultivated here, driving meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
Meet Some of Our Notable Alumni
These alumni, and many others, are a testament to the same values that our current students embody each day and that define the Fieldston experience. As trailblazing professionals and passionate community leaders, ECFS alumni continue to make meaningful contributions worldwide, setting an example for our students and demonstrating the limitless potential that arises when ethics, purpose, and action come together.
Jeremiah Ostriker ’55, Astrophysicist at Princeton University
Jeremiah P. Ostriker, a proud ECFS alumnus, was an influential researcher in one of the most dynamic fields of modern science: theoretical astrophysics. His primary work centered on cosmology, particularly aspects best explored through large-scale numerical calculations. Over the course of his career, Ostriker made foundational contributions in many areas of research, including the structure and oscillations of rotating stars, the stability of galaxies, the evolution of globular clusters and other star systems, pulsars, X-ray binary stars, the dynamics of clusters of galaxies, gravitational lensing, astrophysical blast waves, active galactic nuclei, the cosmic web, and galaxy formation.
Most notably, Ostriker’s research has advanced our understanding of Dark Matter and Dark Energy, the Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium (WHIM), Galaxy Formation and black hole growth, as well as the interaction between Quasars and their surroundings. A dedicated mentor and collaborator, Ostriker supervised and worked closely with numerous young researchers and graduate students.
Ostriker’s success is a shining example of the lifelong impact of an ECFS education — one that is rooted in ethical inquiry, academic rigor, and intellectual freedom. Ostriker’s legacy lives on in current students who reflect the same spirit of curiosity and purpose. Jack Zirin-Hyman ’25, for example, is completing a senior project in Real Analysis, a college-level field of mathematics, as part of his preparation for a future in research.
The freedom to explore topics beyond the standard curriculum has allowed me to gain a deeper appreciation for the subject.
Jack’s senior project reflects not only advanced academic engagement but also a genuine love for mathematics nurtured by passionate teachers: “Fieldston has instilled in me a deep love for the beauty of mathematics. The freedom to explore topics beyond the standard curriculum has allowed me to gain a deeper appreciation for the subject and has better prepared me for advanced studies. This approach has not only strengthened my academic foundation but also sparked a passion that I will continue to nurture throughout my career.”
This type of well-rounded, purpose-driven learning is what makes a Fieldston education. It’s the same foundation that launched Ostriker’s remarkable career, and it continues to shape the leaders, thinkers, and innovators of tomorrow.
Ostriker recently passed in April 2025, but his legacy and contributions to science continue to thrive.
Keith Wright ’73, Politician with New York County Democrats
Keith L.T. Wright has led the New York County Democrats since 2009. After graduating from ECFS, Wright went on to earn degrees from Tufts University and Rutgers Law School. A lifelong Harlem resident, Wright has made strides in increasing workers’ rights, criminal justice reform, small business support, and affordable housing across New York.
In 2012, Wright was appointed co-chair of the New York State Democratic Party. As chair of the Labor Committee, he fought for workers’ rights, expanded unemployment coverage, and ensured fair pay statewide. Wright has advocated for criminal justice reform in the Correction Committee and the Task Force on Criminal Justice Reform. He has played a crucial role in the State’s passage of the Help America Vote Act, the most recent minimum wage and public assistance grant increases, and the creation of thousands of jobs through the Career Pathways Program and the MTA Small Business Mentoring Program.
Fieldston has taught me that political conversation matters when it’s grounded in curiosity, collaboration, and care for the world.
Wright’s leadership exemplifies the impact of ECFS’s progressive education model, which prioritizes ethical responsibility and civic engagement. Current senior and editor of the Fieldston Political Journal, Zeke T. ’25, who has attended ECFS since Pre-K, reflected on the power of this educational philosophy and the impact it has had on the development of his aspirations: “The Political Journal wouldn’t be engaging if people didn’t have creative and thought-provoking article ideas — and I wouldn’t love it as much without the incredible teachers who push us to think critically. Fieldston has taught me that political conversation matters when it’s grounded in curiosity, collaboration, and care for the world.”
Senior Nate R. ’25 also emphasizes the impact that ECFS has had on how he chooses to spend his time outside of the classroom: “Fieldston has fostered in me a passion for serving my community, for giving back, and for trying to build a more equitable society where all people have access to the resources they need to live their best lives. Volunteering as an EMT in Central Park has also been a profound means for me to explore my interest in medicine and work toward meaningful contribution.”
Whether organizing in Harlem or volunteering in Central Park, ECFS students — past and present — have a depth of dedication to public service and leading with purpose. Wright’s decades of civic stewardship epitomize this legacy, and today’s students are following in his footsteps.
Lisa Oppenheim ‘93, Photographer at Tanya Bonakdar Gallery
Lisa Oppenheim is an acclaimed photographer whose work has been featured in some of the world’s most prestigious venues. A lifelong New Yorker, Oppenheim’s career flourished after graduating from ECFS; she received her BA from Brown University in 1998 and later earned an MFA from the Milton Avery Graduate School for the Arts at Bard College in 2001.
Oppenheim’s work has been the subject of solo exhibitions at Huis Marseille in Amsterdam (2024), the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (2017), FRAC Champagne-Ardenne (2015), Kunstverein in Hamburg (2014), and more. She is recognized for her innovative approach to integrating art and research, which has earned her international acclaim and prestigious awards. Notable group exhibitions include Nineteenth-Century Photography Now at the Getty Center in Los Angeles (2024); Woven Histories: Textiles and Modern Abstraction, curated by Lynne Cooke, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (2024), traveling to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. (2024); the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa (2024); and the Museum of Modern Art in New York (2025), among others.
The freedom to explore and push boundaries of creativity is a hallmark of an ECFS student’s educational experience.
Oppenheim’s work is held in permanent collections of the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, New York, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Centre Georges Pompidou, and other leading institutions.
The freedom to explore and push boundaries of creativity is a hallmark of an ECFS student’s educational experience, and it is clear that the interdisciplinary mindset that Oppenheim developed while a student at Fieldston was key to her future success and is still impacting students today. Wesley M. ’25, whose independent study on Bertolt Brecht and German Weimar Theatre mirrors this approach, recently reflected on how his education has impacted his future aspirations: “At Fieldston, I am encouraged to think about how art can reflect and reshape history. This approach to learning allows me to merge my interests with important topics to gain a deeper understanding of the world.”
Through her photography, Oppenheim inspires the next generation of creatives, like Wesley, just as ECFS inspires its students to think critically and creatively about the world. Her work continues to challenge audiences to analyze the intersection of memory, history, and contemporary issues — a testament to the intellectual curiosity that ECFS inspires in its students each day.
Maxwell Whittington Cooper ’13, Actor
Most recently known for his role as John Lewis in the Netflix drama “Rustin,” Maxwell Whittington-Cooper is a rising actor who has begun carving a path in the entertainment industry with promising performances. Known for his dedication to the craft, he’s ventured into various acting projects, potentially spanning film, TV, or theatre.
He got his start on the stage while attending ECFS. In an interview with the school, he recently shared the following:
Ethics is the backbone of an ECFS education, and I think that wholeheartedly informs my work as an actor, a writer, and a human being. One of the reasons I became an actor was to inspire empathy in the world. That mission was born out of my existence as a young Black man, seeing inequality for my people and other minorities. Even when I was very young, I knew I never wanted to treat anyone as less than equal, and I wanted to do work that would inspire others to feel the same way. My ECFS education bolstered that even more and propelled me in terms of the tone and genre of the work I want to do.
Whittington Cooper’s path, and specifically his work in Rustin, reflects the important values of an ECFS education: a commitment to equity, social responsibility, and utilizing one’s talents to make a positive change in the world. That same spirit of ethical inquiry and artistic expression is alive in current students like Susie H. ’25, who will attend Berklee College of Music next fall to pursue a career in music and vocal performance. Susie shares, “Fieldston has helped me grow both creatively and academically. My independent study challenged me to research music theory, write original songs, and explore my artistic potential.” Engaging with her creative pursuits so deeply at the high school level has equipped Susie with the skills and confidence to thrive in the future.
Inspired by successful ECFS alumni like Whittington Cooper, current students see firsthand how they can apply themselves creatively to think beyond themselves and engage with the world on a more empathetic level.
A Legacy of Excellence and Impact
ECFS’s legacy of notable alumni stems from its unwavering commitment to academic excellence, ethical development, and social responsibility. The School nurtures intellectual curiosity and critical thinking, while empowering students to excel in diverse fields as confident leaders. By emphasizing social justice, diversity, and community engagement, ECFS instills in its alumni lifelong values that guide them in making meaningful contributions to society. The rigorous, holistic education equips students with the tools to tackle complex challenges, while a supportive and collaborative environment fosters personal growth. As a result, ECFS alumni continue to influence and shape their communities, impacting various professions and industries, including STEM, philanthropy, the arts, healthcare, education, and beyond.
