Ethical Culture Fieldston School

What Ethical Culture Fieldston School does

Ethical Culture Fieldston School (ECFS) is a private, non-profit, coeducational progressive day school serving approximately 1,600 students from Pre-K through 12th grade across two historic campuses in New York City — the Ethical Culture campus in Manhattan (Pre-K through 5th) and the Fieldston campus in the Bronx (Fieldston Lower, Middle, and Upper). The institution was formed in 1974 through the merger of the Ethical Culture School (founded 1878 as part of the Ethical Culture movement) and the Fieldston School (founded 1940 in Riverdale). The school is led by CEO Kyle Wilkie-Glass (promoted from COO, where he served since 2016) and operates four educational divisions with a unified mission centered on ethics, progressive pedagogy, and character development.

ECFS's product surface spans college-preparatory academics across humanities, sciences, arts, and physical education, augmented by distinctive programmatic offerings including the City Semester (an interdisciplinary 11th-grade program with two+ days weekly of community-based research), the Engineering Program (design-based curriculum from Middle through Upper School, anchored in a Design Studio maker-space), a Digital Citizenship Curriculum starting in 4th grade, three libraries (including the 2018-renovated Tate Library), and student publications. Experiential learning is differentiated by partnerships with NYC community organizations, the Hudson River and Van Cortlandt Park, and MIT Edgerton Center faculty involvement.

ECFS generates revenue primarily through recurring tuition and fees billed annually by division, supplemented by philanthropic contributions via the Orange Fund and P+T (Parent and Teacher Organization), and ancillary after-school and summer program fees. The school distributes exclusively through a direct-to-family admissions process targeting NYC-metro households, with marketing driven by brand reputation, parent/alumni referrals, the school website, Instagram (@ecfs1878), YouTube, and admissions events. Financial aid supports socioeconomic diversity, though specific tuition amounts are not publicly disclosed. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, ECFS is governed by its own board and funded through tuition, charitable contributions, and endowment rather than institutional equity investment.

Name

Ethical Culture Fieldston School

Legal name

Ethical Culture Fieldston School

Website

https://ecfs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1878

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a private, non-profit, coeducational Pre-K-12 progressive day school in New York City, serving approximately 1,600 students across two campuses in Manhattan and the Bronx with a mission centered on ethics, progressive pedagogy, and college-preparatory academics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent K-12 Private Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Alternative/Pedagogical Model Private Schools (Project-Based, Democratic, etc.) (EDAJABAJ)

Keywords

• Private progressive education
• K-12 independent school
• College preparatory curriculum
• Experiential learning programs
• Ethical character education

Headquarters

HQ city

Bronx

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue stream from tuition payments by families. The school also generates revenue from after-school and summer programs, with tuition varying by grade level and program. Financial aid is offered to support diverse enrollment.
2. Philanthropy and Fundraising: The Orange Fund and other fundraising initiatives supported by parents, alumni, and community members. Volunteer-driven fundraising through the P+T organization.
3. After School and Summer Programs: Revenue from extended day programs, summer camps, and enrichment activities available to students and potentially community members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a coeducational progressive private school operating across two New York City campuses that delivers Pre-K through 12th-grade college-preparatory education organized into four divisions (Ethical Culture Lower, Fieldston Lower, Fieldston Middle, Fieldston Upper). Its program integrates academic coursework in the humanities, sciences, arts, and physical education with a school-wide ethics curriculum, experiential learning (notably City Semester), engineering and design studios, student publications, and an extensive three-library system. Tuition is the primary offering, with financial aid, after-school enrichment, and summer programs extending the core enrollment product.

Product overview

Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a coeducational Pre-K through 12th grade progressive private school in New York City with two historic campuses in Manhattan and the Bronx. The school operates four educational divisions (Ethical Culture Lower, Fieldston Lower, Fieldston Middle, and Fieldston Upper) unified by an ethics-driven mission. Core offerings include college-preparatory academics, engineering and STEM programs, arts and athletics, experiential learning through the City Semester program, and extensive student publications. The institution's educational program centers on ethics and character development, with three library facilities supporting research and literacy across divisions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ethical Culture Lower Division Progressive Pre-K through 5th-grade program in Manhattan offering foundational academics, ethics instruction, Spanish language, Central Park exploration, and bird study curriculum for young learners.
• Fieldston Lower Lower school program (Pre-K through 5th grade) on the Bronx campus featuring outdoor classroom gardens, Hudson River experiential learning, 5th-grade innovation projects, and the Fall Carnival.
• Fieldston Middle Middle school program (6th-8th grade) featuring engineering education with Shark Tank-style invention projects, science instruction at Van Cortlandt Park, and a green roof learning facility.
• Fieldston Upper College-preparatory program (9th-12th grade) offering Spanish Heritage Speakers curriculum, engineering programs, City Semester experiential learning, and Commencement preparation.
• City Semester Program Selective interdisciplinary program for 11th graders spending two or more days per week outside school conducting research, exploring neighborhoods, interviewing residents, and working with community organizations and policymakers throughout New York City.
• ECFS Libraries Three libraries across two campuses (Ethical Culture Library, Fieldston Lower Library, and Tate Library) providing e-books, audiobooks, periodicals, databases, and curated reading collections including underrepresented voices.
• Engineering Program Design-based engineering curriculum for Fieldston Middle and Upper students featuring student-led inventions, design thinking skills, and real-world applications including math, public speaking, and business valuation.
• Ethics and Service Learning Core curriculum integrating ethical reasoning, community engagement, and service projects across all four divisions, including Community Curriculum assemblies and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programming.
• Student Publications Program Student-run publications including Fieldston News (digital and print), Fieldglass yearbook, Inklings literary magazine, Fieldston Middle Literary Magazine, Fieldston Sports Bulletin, and Fieldston LP music coverage.
• After School and Summer Programs Extracurricular activities, clubs, sports, arts programs, and summer enrichment opportunities available to students across all four divisions.
• Global Learning Programs enabling students to engage with international perspectives, including spring break travel experiences and cultural exchange opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Alumni named to Forbes 30 Under 30 list demonstrating successful outcomes
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Community Organizations (City Semester)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFieldston Upper's City Semester program partners with community organizations throughout New York City. Students spend two+ days per week outside school conducting research, exploring neighborhoods, interviewing residents, and working with community organizations and policymakers. This experiential learning partnership is integral to the selective interdisciplinary program.
• MIT Edgerton CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFieldston Middle/Upper Engineering and Science Teacher John Baglio participated as a visiting instructor at MIT Edgerton Center, which specializes in training educators on maker, science, and engineering lessons. Baglio taught two summer sessions there, supervising maker skills and project-based learning workshops for educators nationwide.
• P+T (Parent and Teacher Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe P+T organization coordinates volunteer efforts, events, and fundraising including the Orange Fund. P+T liaisons and committee members help organize community events, support classrooms, and facilitate parent engagement across all divisions.
• Fieldston Alumni NetworkcoreOthersActive alumni community maintaining connection through the school. Alumni volunteer, mentor current students, attend reunions, and contribute to school community through various programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Dalton School: Coeducational, progressive K-12 independent day school on Manhattan's Upper East Side. One of ECFS's closest direct peers, serving a similar NYC family demographic with progressive pedagogy and college-preparatory academics.
• Horace Mann School: Coeducational independent day school serving Nursery through 12th grade in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. Shares ECFS's Fieldston campus neighborhood and serves a directly overlapping NYC progressive-education family demographic.
• Riverdale Country School: Coeducational independent day school (Pre-K-12) on two campuses in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx. Directly comparable to ECFS in location, structure, and progressive college-preparatory mission.
• Trinity School: Coeducational Episcopal day school (K-12) on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Premier NYC independent school competing with ECFS for the same high-achieving, progressive-oriented family demographic.
• Friends Seminary: Coeducational K-12 Quaker day school in downtown Manhattan. Directly comparable to ECFS in progressive pedagogy, ethics-driven curriculum, small class sizes, and commitment to social justice.
• The Brearley School: Independent girls' day school (K-12) on Manhattan's Upper East Side. One of NYC's most selective and prestigious K-12 institutions, competing with ECFS for the same top-tier NYC families seeking progressive college-preparatory education.
• Bank Street School for Children: Progressive independent school (N-8) on Manhattan's Upper West Side affiliated with Bank Street College of Education. Shares ECFS's commitment to progressive, child-centered pedagogy in NYC.
• The Spence School: Independent girls' day school (K-12) on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Premier NYC independent school with progressive ethos, directly competing with ECFS for high-achieving NYC families.
• Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School: Coeducational independent day school (Pre-K-12) on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Comparable to ECFS in size, structure, progressive college-preparatory mission, and NYC family demographic.
• The Town School: Coeducational independent day school (N-8) on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Progressive NYC school sharing ECFS's mission of educating ethical, intellectually curious students in a supportive community.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ecfs
• Instagraminstagram.com/ecfs1878
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ethical-culture-fieldston-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ethical Culture Fieldston School