Who We Are

At Calhoun, we believe true intellectual authenticity begins with curiosity. Students are given the freedom to make choices, allowing their natural inquisitiveness to guide their learning journey. This autonomy, combined with meaningful challenges and an inclusive community, enables young people to grow into their fullest, truest selves.

Our educators embody empathy and promote deep levels of engagement, encouraging students to ask profound questions and pursue their passions with genuine enthusiasm. Our two campuses-intentionally designed with open learning areas-foster collaboration, interdisciplinary thinking, and exploration in developmentally appropriate ways.

Together, the Calhoun community – both in its physical spaces and through the educators, students, and administrators who fill its hallways – cultivates a love of learning that goes beyond rote memorization. From a kindergartner's "Expert Book" project to the complex, student-driven questions guiding an eleventh grader's Junior Workshop, curiosity is sparked, nurtured, and celebrated every day.

Curiosity thrives when it is rooted in kindness, the essential partner that creates the foundation for a truly inclusive community. In a setting where kindness is paramount, students feel safe to take risks, be vulnerable, ask questions, and collaborate, knowing they are supported.

Our commitment to fostering meaningful relationships among peers is central to this belief and reflects the values of the city we call home. As the independent school most reflective of New York City, Calhoun teaches students to engage the world with empathy and respect, understanding that their success is intertwined with the well-being of those around them.

We believe curiosity and kindness are not just pathways to excellence – they are excellent in their own right. At Calhoun, we prepare students to succeed at the highest levels without sacrificing the joy of childhood. In an age of Al, we cultivate what cannot be replicated: intellectual authenticity.

Our graduates leave Calhoun not only academically prepared for higher education and beyond, but also as compassionate, collaborative, and intellectually authentic individuals. They know how to listen deeply, value diverse perspectives, and lead with empathy. They celebrate the diversity of the Calhoun community as a reflection of New York City itself, understanding that difference is both a strength and an asset. From our Montessori roots to our modern progressive approach, the Calhoun experience graduates students who are not only ready for the world, but who are equipped to make it a better place.