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| Motto | Grytte |
|---|---|
| Established | 1888 |
| Type | Private (All Boys) |
| Headmaster | Stephen M. Clement, III |
| Founder | John A. Browning |
| President, Board of Trustees | James Chanos |
| Students | 375 |
| Location | 52 East 62nd Street New York City 10065, New York, United States |
| Campus | Urban |
| Colors | Red and White |
| Mascot | The Panther |
| Rival | The Collegiate School |
| Yearbook | The Grytte |
| Newspaper | The Grytte |
| Website | The Browning School |
The Browning School was founded as a college preparatory school for boys in 1888 by John A. Browning. A traditional curriculum helps support boys intellectually, physically, and emotionally from Pre-Primary (Kindergarten) through Form VI (12th Grade) and is ranked as one of the top private schools in New York City.[citation needed] Located in the heart of New York City's Upper East Side, The Browning School makes use of the city’s vast resources.
The Browning School is a member of the New York Interschool, a consortium of eight private NYC schools: Brearley, Browning, Chapin, Collegiate, Dalton, Nightingale-Bamford, Spence, and Trinity. Interschool offers opportunities for academic sharing, extracurricular participation in the arts, and social activities for boys and girls. Also, Browning often undertakes special programs with schools such as Hewitt, Marymount, and Sacred Heart.
The school is under the headship of its fifth headmaster, Stephen M. Clement III.
One of the first students, John D. Rockefeller Jr., recalled Mr. Browning as a remarkable teacher who "inspired interest in learning", and that he "helped me to study and to concentrate.... I owe a great deal to him, more than to any other teacher I ever had."
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History
The Browning School was founded in 1888 by John A. Browning, a distinguished scholar and gifted teacher. Today, the Browning School still operates on the basic core principles laid down by Mr. Browning more than a century ago: a school for boys, small classes, close personal attention for each student, a wide variety of extracurricular activities, a heavy emphasis on fostering initiative, and a broad course of study that focuses less on developing a student’s memory than his capacity for understanding. Mr. Browning’s students recall that he concentrated less on grinding facts into his students than on teaching values, good study habits, perspective, and a lifelong love of learning. The school was renowned for its field trips, even going as far as Pittsburgh to visit the U.S. Steel plant.
One of the first students, John D. Rockefeller Jr., recalled Mr. Browning as a remarkable teacher who “inspired interest in learning.” He said Mr. Browning “helped me to study and to concentrate.... I owe a great deal to him, more than to any other teacher I ever had.”
Arthur Jones succeeded Mr. Browning as Headmaster in 1920 and moved the school from West 55th Street to its present location on East 62nd Street. Extracurricular activities expanded in his time. Mr. Jones retired in 1948 and Lyman B. Tobin, a Browning teacher for more than 30 years, became Browning’s third Headmaster. Mr. Tobin is remembered fondly by alumni, parents, and friends for his patience, friendliness, and deep understanding of people. As noted in a Browning newsletter in 1952, Mr. Tobin favored “encouragement and understanding as a means of teaching.”
In 1952, upon Mr. Tobin’s retirement, the school named Charles W. Cook ’38, an alumnus and teacher, as its fourth Headmaster. Under his leadership for thirty-six years, the Browning School expanded rapidly. After a lengthy fund-raising drive, the school bought the adjoining carriage house and rebuilt it. The new building opened in 1960. The school’s expansion continued in 1967, with the building of a larger gymnasium on the roof, and in the late 1970’s, with the acquisition of an interest in the building next door. In addition to serving as Headmaster, Mr. Cook also was a highly effective teacher. Among the most popular subjects during the 1960’s were his courses on American History and Sociology. Mr. Cook had that rare ability to make history come alive for his students. He taught not only history but perspective. Controversially, the textbook Mr. Cook employed during the Seventies included a chapter entitled "The Gift of the Negro", which led to a variety of parental complaints. Ultimately, the chapter was excised from the book by its publisher.
In 1988, Stephen M. Clement, III became Browning’s fifth Headmaster. Under his leadership the school has continued to expand while maintaining its focus on fostering academic excellence and integrity. Today, the school has over 370 students, more than double its size fifty years ago, but it continues its emphasis on small classes and close personal attention. Under Mr. Clement’s leadership, Browning also has completed a new library, four new science laboratories, two new art studios, and additional classrooms. In addition, Browning has increasingly taken advantage of affiliations with The Hewitt School, The Marymount School, Nightingale-Bamford and Interschool. Browning, Hewitt, Nightingale-Bamford and Marymount benefit from an informal affiliation which encourages shared opportunities for academics, the arts, and social activities for girls and boys. Interschool, a consortium of eight schools to enhance academic, extracurricular, and administrative sharing, consists of four schools for girls (Brearley, Chapin, Nightingale-Bamford, and Spence), two schools for boys (Browning and Collegiate), and two coeducational schools (Dalton and Trinity).
Although the city and the world have changed enormously since John Browning met with his first four students in 1888, The Browning School today remains committed to providing rigorous academic training for boys in a structured yet warm environment, promoting a love of learning, and nurturing the growth of the student by exposure to diverse opportunities.
Mission
Founded in 1888 as a college preparatory school for boys, The Browning School continues its commitment to the goals of John A. Browning: the pursuit of academic excellence and a lifelong love of learning, the belief in the dignity of the individual, the development of personal integrity and responsibility to the broader community. The Browning boy develops amid these values: the Browning alumnus is a good citizen, sensitive to the needs of others, respectful of divergent yet informed opinions. He is, in the best sense of the word, a gentleman
Academics
The Browning School is known for being small, structured, and focused. Classwork and assignments are framed around relatively short timelines, with clear, consistent, expectations. The atmosphere is one of adults in charge, teacher directed- child focused. The curriculum is a medley of constantly evolving research and material as well as traditional programs that have always been a part of the Browning experience. The faculty work together to create an interdisciplinary course load that reinforces and builds upon a sequential academic experience.
Athletics
Browning has soccer and cross country in the fall, basketball in the winter and baseball, track, tennis and golf in the spring. Browning is a member of the New York State Association of Independent Schools Athletic Association ans competes against schools such as Columbia Prep, Trevor Day, Trinity School, and Birch Wathen Lenox.
Admissions
Browning is known for having a very selective admissions process with only a 30% acceptance rate of students. Browning does not admit students for 11th and 12th grades and very rarely for 10th grade. Admissions for Pre-Primary usually close almost a year prior to the year entering due to high demand for spots at the school.
Structure
Each grade has approximately 30 boys, many of whom attend Browning for the full course of study, thirteen years. A financial aid program ensures that the boys remain heterogeneous; as with many of its peer NYC schools, however, many of the boys have parents who can afford the high tuition. The school is private, though it functions under a New York City non-profit statute enacted in the 1940s. Browning is controlled by a Board of Trustees, and the school is administered by a Headmaster.
Curriculum
Browning's Upper School (high school) curriculum consists of English, Math, Science, History, Modern Foreign Languages (Spanish or French), Classics (Latin or Ancient Greek), Music, Visual Art, Drama, Technology, and Physical Education.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Browning has a number of clubs, especially in the Upper School. They include:
- Chess Club
The Browning Chess Club meets after school on Thursday to introduce lower school boys to the challenges and complexities of the game. The club also meets Mondays during activities for Middle, and Upper Schoolers, Thursday Chess Club is taught by professionals. Players of all proficiency levels are encouraged to join, and beginning players are warmly welcomed. Interschool tournaments occur about once a month. At the end of the year, Lower School Browning boys participate in the national Elementary Chess Championships.
- Drama
Drama opportunities provide boys in Forms II through VI a chance to play an active role in Browning’s plays. It is not only for students who wish to act, but also for those who wish to act but also those who wish to work behind the scenes or who would like to play in the orchestra/band of a musical. Performances include the production of a small spring show as a complement to the Middle School’s fall term Shakespeare play and the Upper School’s main production in the winter. Members also occasionally represent the school by participating in various Interschool productions. Boys have historically participated in plays at Brearley, Chapin, Hewitt, Marymount, Nightingale-Bamford, and Sacred Heart.
- En Avant
Published once a year, En Avant is Browning’s award winning French language newspaper. Working on En Avant gives Upper School boys the opportunity to participate in all aspects of putting together a newspaper, including planning and writing, as well as layout and editing, proofreading, and photography. All the writing is in French, and the paper provides a forum for the exploration of French culture, politics, and ideas.
- Environmental Club
The purpose of the Environmental Club is to promote the importance of conservation and sustainability. Education of the Lower School is a goal, and the members visit classrooms and discuss environmental issues such as recycling. Members are expected to help plan and participate in school-wide fund raising events and science-related field trips. As a group, members choose issues to research and support through conservation groups and by lobbying public officials.
- Grytte (Newspaper)
Now entering its 101st year, the Grytte offers Middle and Upper School students the opportunity to participate in all aspects of newspaper production, including planning and writing, as well as layout and editing, proofreading, and photography. The paper provides school news; feature sections; editorials; surveys; and articles on alumni, faculty, parents, and students. Students are encouraged to add their creativity and special talents to this publication that documents school life. All students are welcome to participate, and membership remains open throughout the year.
- Grytte (Yearbook)
Each year the yearbook staff produces a commemorative book to illustrate the many facets of student life at The Browning School. The book includes class portraits, candid pictures, sports and club shots, and photos depicting the activities that take place at Browning throughout the year. Members of the Club are responsible for every aspect of the publication of the book, from the concept and design to the photography, page layout, and computer graphics.
- The Investment Club
The Investment Club meets once a week to learn about and discuss issues related to the world of investing. We participate in a stock market game; look at investment information, both on paper and on the Internet; visit places of interest to investors; invite guest speakers; discuss the vocabulary unique to investing; and participate in any other investment related activities the members of the club suggest.
- The Key Society
The Browning Key Society is the school’s service organization. Key Society members serve as hosts, ambassadors, and tour guides throughout the year. Assisting at special functions on and off campus and giving tours to prospective applicants and their families, boys have an opportunity to represent Browning at its best. Applications to the Society are solicited from boys in the spring of their Form IV year. Boys at the end of their Form V year who are not currently members and would like to be considered for membership may also apply. Applications are submitted to the Director of Middle and Upper School Admissions and the Head of Upper School, who select the new members of the Society. Boys are informed of decisions in the spring, and new members of the Society are formally inducted at Prize Day each year.
- The Lit
The Lit is Browning’s literary magazine. Edited by students, it is a platform for recognizing the wide range of literary styles explored by the students in the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. Recently The Lit has begun to incorporate student art work on its cover and to expand the possibilities for students’ experimentation with desk-top publishing. Through Interschool, Browning also participates in the publication of Independent Voices magazine and public performances of student poetry.
- Mock Trial
Mock Trial is a team activity that allows students to learn what it is like to be a lawyer and a witness in a real trial. During the winter trimester, the team meets regularly to prepare a case, materials (affidavits, evidence, case law) for which are put together by the New York State Bar Association. Between December and March, students learn the roles of lawyers and witnesses on both sides of the case, prosecution and defense. In the end, the Browning team competes with any of 110 other teams from New York City schools in the Federal courthouse. A professional attorney presides over the case and renders a verdict at its conclusion. This extracurricular activity is excellent for those boys who wish to learn about the law and are willing to put in the time to prepare well.
- Model United Nations
Model U.N. is a simulation of the United Nations in New York City. Its purpose is to encourage young people to gain an interest in and mastery of current affairs and international relations, to enable them to understand and empathize with the viewpoint of countries and cultures far distant, in some cases, from their own, and to promote self-confidence, esteem, and personal maturity through a mastery of the techniques of formal debate. Browning delegates prepare to represent a selected country at the Ivy League Model United Nations Conference at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. It is open to boys primarily in Forms IV to VI, although boys who show a particular aptitude in Form III may also be invited to join the Browning delegation. Model U.N. is a marvelous activity for students of high academic standing with an excellent grasp of current affairs and an active interest in politics, as well as a passionate concern about the political, economic, and social issues which face our world in the 21st century.
- The Multi-Cultural Club
According to the Webster’s New World Dictionary, “Multi” means “...consisting, affecting many... more than two... many times more than....” Therefore, the goal of the Multi-Cultural Club is to include as many cultures of the Browning community as are represented in the school, and to share our cultural backgrounds and differences in order to enrich each other’s lives and become more tolerant. Boys in Forms I through VI are encouraged to join our meetings.
- The Music Club
The Browning Music Club meets weekly to provide an opportunity for instrumentalists of all levels to gather and play in a casual group environment for enjoyment and for the improvement of musical skills. Each term a few songs are chosen for performance at school assemblies.
- La Pantera
La Pantera, Browning’s Spanish-language newspaper, is published once a year. The articles are mainly student written, although a few are produced by school faculty. The magazine allows students of all ages to share their personal insights, reporting, and short stories. Students benefit from the publication by reading other students’ works in Spanish, thus improving their reading comprehension and ability to interpret all types of commentary. The magazine is currently in its third year of publication.
- Upper and Middle School Student Councils
Each year two students from Grade Five through Form VI are elected by their classmates to serve on either the Middle or the Upper School Student Councils. The Councils meet separately with the respective faculty advisor on a regular basis to discuss service projects, social events, and matters pertaining to school policy. This is an exciting way for boys interested in both service and political action to test their leadership mettle.
- Science Club
In the science club, students have the opportunity to try their hand at numerous scientific demonstrations and experiments, as well as constructing one large project for the semester. Projects in the past have included huge model roller coasters, Rube Goldberg devices, and Thermite demolitions.
Notable alumni
- John D. Rockefeller, Jr. 1893
- Henry R. Luce, III '42
- The Honorable Whitman Knapp '27
- The Honorable Claiborne Pell '36
- Arthur Ochs Sulzberger '44
- Thomas E. Lovejoy, III, Ph.D. '59
- Jeff Moss '59
- Thomas Oliphant '63
- Linton Wells, II '63
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller '66
- Jamie Dimon '74
- Paul Dano, Jr. '02
- Barron Hilton II
- Osborn Elliott '41
Affiliated organizations
External links
Coordinates: 40°45′53.7″N 73°58′09.2″W / 40.764917°N 73.969222°W
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