Ready to explore a unique educational institution? The Birch Wathen Lenox School stands as a testament to the power of unity and academic excellence.
Birch Wathen Lenox School is a college preparatory school. It serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the school is home to approximately 500 students. They come from all over New York City. Birch Wathen Lenox is one of 322 independent schools in the city.
The story of Birch Wathen Lenox School is rooted in the merger of two esteemed institutions. In 1991, the Birch Wathen School and The Lenox School joined forces. The Birch Wathen School was founded in 1921 by Louise Birch and Edith Wathen. The Lenox School was established in 1916 by Jessica Garretson Finch.
Interestingly, The Lenox School was originally an all-girls school. It transitioned to co-education in 1974. Before the merger, from 1962 to 1989, Birch Wathen was located in the Herbert N. Straus House. This ornate French-style building was situated at 9 East 71st Street, across from the Frick Collection.
Birch Wathen Lenox School offers a wide array of sports. These include soccer, volleyball, swimming, basketball, baseball, cross country, track and field, golf, tennis and hockey. The school’s athletic teams compete in the Independent Schools Athletic League or the Girls Independent School Athletic League. These leagues are part of the New York State Association of Independent Schools Athletic Association. The school also has a robotics team. It participates in the FIRST Robotics Competition, commonly known as FRC.
Many notable individuals have walked the halls of Birch Wathen Lenox School. Kathy Acker was a writer. Hope Cooke became the last Queen of Sikkim. Barbara Costikyan made her name as a food writer. Joel Crothers found success as an actor. Viola Essen excelled as a dancer. Robert Gottlieb became president of Knopf Publishing. John Katzman is the CEO of Noodle. Alfred A Knopf, Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps as a publisher. Judith Krantz gained fame as a novelist. Wendy Mogel is a psychologist and author. Murray Rothbard was the founder of anarcho-capitalism. Edwin Schlossberg works as a designer. Mary Stolz was a novelist. Gardiner L. Tucker served as a director at IBM Research and held positions in the State Department and NATO. Barbara Walters became a renowned journalist, writer and media personality.
Today, Birch Wathen Lenox School continues its commitment. It fosters growth and celebrates the individual differences of every student. The school is housed in an unassuming brownstone building. It is home to a supportive community of experienced educators and devoted families. The school’s motto is “Integrity, Civility, Loyalty.” It reflects the values instilled in its students. As you stand before Birch Wathen Lenox School, consider the legacy of this institution. Think about its dedication to shaping future leaders and innovators.