The Masters School

49 Clinton Avenue

Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

8 Reviews

School District
Grade

5-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 22, 2024

When a student did something foolish, as many teenagers do, my son was called to the dean of students’ office and he was interrogated by him and another faculty for over three hours, during academic time.They wanted him to tell what actually happened. My son did not know the entire story and he did not want to denounced the other student. He was grilled with questions for over three hours. “We understand that you might not know what happened, but if we find out that you knew and you did not tell us, there will be great consequences”. Those were the type of questions he was faced with, for over three hours. In my opinion this is abuse of power. They were actually teaching him to be a snitch. This is how are we are building characters? Such interaction could leave permanent negative scars to a young student.A great accent is placed now in all schools on diversity and inclusion, but Masters was way above other schools on this topic; they were having classes/ seminars about this topic every week. Be sure students were not treated based on meritocracy, equity prevailed. Quite of few students had to leave the school from different reasons; I was astounded at lack of empathy from administration towards the future of those students.The administrators’ opinions are influenced by certain parents, as the students were not treated equitably, but based on who their parents were.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2020

It was better under the previous head of school. Now it seems less so. I've heard of kids losing their scholarship before they graduate from the HS. Imagine sending your kids there and they tell you and your child you cant attend if you don't come up with the money $$? After making friends for 2 or more years there? I've heard they did that to a junior for only $5,000 when the school has a $50 million fund. Does that seem fair? Or ridiculous. The student had to drop out and go to a bad public school near her home because of the late notice and her parents couldn't come up with the money. If you cant afford this school at full tuition, do not go there b/c there is a chance you may be asked to come up with a lot more money and get your kids dropped. This school is mainly for the rich. Not the poor or working middle class. I heard they expect you to pay about 30 percent of your gross income, regardless of how much you make. Does this make any sense? A 4 year attendance guarantee should be based on average income, not a year by year review with a possibility of getting kicked out after the parents and child investment into the school of 1-2+ years. Its ridiculous and not fair to the student being tossed out like trash. Not rich, stay away.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2014

Intellectual rigor in a school is hugely important to our family. In our searches, we learned fairly quickly that there were several schools where we could find it. What stood out about Masters, to us, was that along with true intellectual rigor, we could count on ethical and moral education as well, along with rich cultural opportunities and plenty of athletic options. Many schools will tell you that they re dedicated to the whole child Masters will deliver. This fall we ll attend our tenth Curriculum Night (akin to a back-to-school night) and I m confident I ll leave with the same feeling I ve had at the past nine: I wish I could turn back the clock and attend Masters myself.
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2014

The Masters school has been an extraordinary experience for both of my kids. While it provides rigorous academic challenges, it maintains a strong ethical core. The school uses the Harkness Method, a method that encourages each student to express his/her point of view. Because it is the only day/boarding school in the nyc area, the diversity of the student population is unmatched.
Submitted by other on May 21, 2014

As a student at the masters school since 5th grade and a current upper school student I feel I know this school well enough to write a review. I came to this school originally to avoid the stereotypical blond white rich kid type that dominated my last school. Masters is very diverse and if that's something your looking for in a school it won't disappoint. However except for the nice students, I have very few nice things to say about the rest of the school. The teachers vary extremely in skill and experience, and there is mixture of older teachers and younger teachers with very few in betweens, which I feel furthers the dissonnect between the teachers. Also in the past few years there have been a lot of teachers leaving and a lot of new inexperienced teachers coming in. As an introvert my grades are reduced by up to 20% if I do not talk in class, and students who don't talk are given much worst scores than students who blather on about nonsense for the entire class. Unless your child is a Chatty Cathy who doesn't mind taking a gamble on their teachers, or is willing to teach themselves, I don't recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2012

i have found Masters to be an excellent choice for my child. she strives tom be a success and so far she is on the right path. the classes are challenging and engaging. the teachers are wonderful. as a boarder the last two years she has matured, and will be ready for college when the time comes. i am ever so glad for the opportunity for my child to attend Masters
Submitted by parent on December 22, 2010

What a relief when my child transferred to The Masters School! Unlike her previous school (Horace Mann), Masters provided my daughter with a ton of individual attention and recognition of outstanding academic achievements, a rigorous education, and some truly outstanding teachers. The school administration creates a great deal of community spirit and most of the students actually have good manners! The extracurricular activities are varied and on a high level, especially the theater program and singing groups. The school is well equipped and the grounds are lovely. The dining hall food is actually palatable! The college admission process was very helpful, accomplished without undue anxiety, and my daughter was accepted, early decision, at a top college. Will my grandchild attend Masters? She should be so fortunate!
Submitted by parent on December 19, 2010

This is a school for verbal students who communicate easily with teachers and peers in classroom discussion. The quiet child is subtly ostracized by the community, especially the teachers, and we found this to be a very costly experience in terms of lost confidence and tuition. The faculty is extraordinarily unresponsive to parent concerns and promote an atmosphere of elitism. I found no accommodation for thoughtful, nonverbal students. There is a strong emphasis on fundraising and attracting new applicants. In my experience the old values of encouraging the individual on his or her own terms have vastly changed. The atmosphere is now pressured and striving, with a troubling absence of overall philosophic direction.