named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
College Counseling Program
Guides students through college admissions with personalized support on essays, applications, and testing; led by Director of College Counseling
Constructive Dialogue Program
Teaches students to engage in open, respectful debate on complex topics using the Socratic Method and mindfulness practices; includes workshops and partnerships with the Constructive Dialogue Institute
Service Learning Program
Integrates ethical values and responsible citizenship through community service and peer leadership initiatives across all divisions
Student Government
Student-led leadership program in Lower, Middle, and Upper School that promotes civic engagement and community responsibility
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Independent and Charter K-12 Schools 1 activity
- Deliver K–12 college-preparatory educationProvides a rigorous, structured educational program for students from kindergarten through 12th grade, emphasizing academic rigor, interdisciplinary studies, and personalized learning supported by a 4:1 student-teacher ratio. The program includes classroom instruction, standardized testing, lab work, and individual presentations to assess student progress.
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Student-Led Community Service Programs 1 activity
- Implement Constructive Dialogue and civic engagement programsOperates a K–12 Constructive Dialogue Program and offers workshops that teach students to engage thoughtfully with complex topics such as politics, identity, and ethics. Also runs peer leadership, service learning, student government, and civic engagement initiatives to promote responsible citizenship.
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Campus Construction and Renovation Projects 1 activity
- Invest in campus facilities and learning environmentsCompletes ongoing facility improvements including renovation of the Science Lab, Kindergarten, Lobby, and Russell Reading and Research Room; construction of a Fitness Center and Playroof; addition of Hydroponic and Aquaponic Farms; and purchase of new classroom furniture to enhance learning environments.
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Project-Based Learning Programs 1 activity
- Offer signature and experiential learning programsEnables students to explore academic interests through personalized, interdisciplinary experiences beyond the traditional curriculum, including the Entrepreneurship Program, the Lower School Lions Roam New York Program, and collaborations with external experts to integrate real-world learning.
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Comprehensive Student Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Operate co-curricular and extracurricular programsOffers broad co-curricular offerings including 30 student clubs, 11 interscholastic sports programs through the Independent School Association League (ISAL), and a competitive robotics program across all school divisions.
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Youth Theater Arts Education 1 activity
- Produce theater and performance programsProduces an annual fall non-musical play and spring musical performed by Upper School students, the latter staged in a professional Off-Broadway theater. Also hosts a Student Showcase where students create and present original works, and offers a fall seminar for seniors to design a creative Senior Calendar.
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Financial Aid and Scholarship Access Programs 1 activity
- Provide financial aid and promote diversityOffers financial aid to 38% of enrolled students and maintains a student body that is approximately 34% students of color, supporting access and inclusion.
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College Access and Success Support 1 activity
- Support student development through college and alumni engagementHosts alumni panels to guide middle and upper school students through the college admissions process, supporting student development and college readiness.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$25.09M
Contributions & grants$2.06M8%
Program service revenue$22.95M91%
Investment income$123K0%
Other revenue$-38K
expenses
Total expenses$26.21M
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$12.81M
Grants paid out$7.40M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$15.54M
Cash$6.25M
Investments$339K
Liabilities$17.28M
Net assets$-1.74M
Liquid reserves3.0 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +16.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 9
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WILLIAM KUHN | HEAD OF SCHOOL | 40 | $364K |
| LAURIE MURBERG | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $233K |
| RICHARD J PAN | DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY | 40 | $228K |
| PENNY ARNOLD | DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT | 40 | $208K |
| LORI A KENNEDY | ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL | 40 | $195K |
| BENJAMIN DINARDO | CO-DIRECTOR OF UPPER SCHOOL | 40 | $181K |
| ANDREW WELLER | DEAN OF ADMISSIONS AND ENROLLMENT | 40 | $161K |
| PATTI COHEN | DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING | 40 | $158K |
| GEOFFREY T FISHER | DIRECTOR OF WELLNESS | 40 | $151K |
board members · 15
- ALEXANDRA STANTON — BOARD MEMBER
- CHARLES MILLER — BOARD MEMBER
- CINDY GREBOW — BOARD MEMBER
- DENEIDA DE LOS SANTOS — BOARD MEMBER
- DIANE MCKOY — BOARD MEMBER (UNTIL 05/25)
- ELAINE ALFOND — PA PRESIDENT EX-OFFICIO
- LINDA WEINMAN — SECRETARY
- LISA HOFFER — BOARD MEMBER
- LYNELLE MAGINLEY-LIDDIE — BOARD MEMBER
- MICHAEL GOLLUB — BOARD MEMBER
- PHILIP SASSOWER — CHAIR
- STEPHANIE KOSSAR-STUART — TREASURER
- STEVE MADDEN — BOARD MEMBER
- STEVEN HOROWITZ — BOARD MEMBER
- VAL KITAY — BOARD MEMBER (AS OF 06/25)
relationships · 43
Who they work with
- Alumni Association Network — Organizes alumni panels and events in coordination with the school.
- American Jewish Committee Partner — Partner supporting educational initiatives related to civic engagement and human rights.
- Andrew T. Weller, ED.D Partner — Dean of Admissions at The Birch Wathen Lenox School
- Bay Ridge Prep Partner — Competes against Bay Ridge Prep in the Independent School Association League (ISAL).
- Bill Kuhn Partner — Head of School who articulates the institution's educational philosophy and leadership direction.
- Billion Oyster Project Partner — Environmental education partner engaging BWL students in marine restoration and STEM learning.
- Brooklyn Friends Partner — Competes against Brooklyn Friends in the Independent School Association League (ISAL).
- Central Park Conservancy Partner — Environmental stewardship partner offering place-based learning in Central Park.
- Churchill Partner — Competes against Churchill in the Independent School Association League (ISAL).
- ClassVR Partner — Technology partner providing virtual reality tools for immersive classroom learning.
- ConnectED Partner — Educational collaborator focused on project-based learning integration at BWL.
- Constance Schaefer Partner — Associate Director of Admissions at The Birch Wathen Lenox School
- Constructive Dialogue Institute Partner — Collaborates with BWL on programs that prepare students for constructive dialogue and leadership.
- Constructive Dialogue Institute Partner — Partner providing resources and training to foster civil discourse among students.
- Dwight Partner — Competes against Dwight in the Independent School Association League (ISAL).
- Emily Mitaro Partner — Assistant Director of Admissions at The Birch Wathen Lenox School
- FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression) Partner — Collaborates with BWL on programming related to free speech and individual rights education.
- French American School Partner — Competes against French American School in the Independent School Association League (ISAL).
- Garden Partner — Competes against Garden in the Independent School Association League (ISAL).
- Glamour Gals Partner — Youth-led volunteer organization partnering with BWL on intergenerational connection projects.
- Grassroots Grocery Partner — Community food access organization collaborating with BWL on service learning initiatives.
- LREI Partner — Competes against LREI in the Independent School Association League (ISAL).
- Leading With Kindness / Bear Givers Partner — Kindness and empathy-focused partner supporting character education at BWL.
- Leman Prep Partner — Competes against Leman Prep in the Independent School Association League (ISAL).
- Lenox Hill Hospital Partner — Collaborates with BWL to bring medical expertise into student learning experiences.
- Let Grow Partner — Partner promoting student independence and resilience through project-based initiatives.
- Mary McDowell Partner — Competes against Mary McDowell in the Independent School Association League (ISAL).
- Mill Institute Partner — Partner organization working with BWL on character development and leadership programs.
- MindUp: The Goldie Hawn Foundation Partner — Partner organization contributing expertise in social-emotional learning and mindfulness for students.
- NY Common Pantry Partner — Food pantry organization partnering with BWL on community service and hunger relief education.
+ 13 more
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Constructive Dialogue and Critical Thinking Pedagogymethodology: constructive_dialogueBy using the Socratic Method and Constructive Dialogue frameworks, the school cultivates critical thinking, reasoned argumentation, and respectful engagement with diverse perspectives, because independent thought and intellectual humility emerge through structured, empathetic discourse.
- Experiential and Community-Embedded Educationmethodology: experiential_educationBy using New York City as a living classroom and integrating external expert partners into instruction, the school extends learning beyond traditional walls to create academically enriching, real-world experiences that enhance interdisciplinary understanding and student engagement, because direct experience deepens intellectual and personal development.
- Human-Scale, Personalized Education Modelmethodology: human-scale_educationBy maintaining a small school size and continuous K–12 structure, the school enables deep, sustained relationships between students, faculty, and families, allowing for early identification of needs, individualized support, and access to advanced opportunities, because long-term, personalized attention accelerates development.
- Integrated Character and Academic Developmentmethodology: integrated_character_and_academic_developmentBy weaving character education into academic instruction through mentorship, shared community expectations, and daily interactions, the school fosters integrity, responsibility, and empathy alongside intellectual growth, because ethical development and academic excellence are mutually reinforcing.
- Rigorous and Supportive Learning Environmentmethodology: rigor-and-supportBy combining academic rigor with emotional support, mindfulness practices, and strong student-faculty relationships, the school creates an environment where challenge and belonging reinforce each other, because intellectual growth is optimized when students feel both safe and stretched.