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Allen-Stevenson School

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Allen-Stevenson School
Location
Map
132 East 78th Street

New York City
,
New York
10075

United States

40°46′27.4″N 73°57′35.4″W / 40.774278°N 73.959833°W / 40.774278; -73.959833
Information
TypePrivate Elementary for Boys
MottoFortiter et Recte (Strongly and Rightly)
Established1883
Head of school
Duncan Lyon
GradesKindergarten to 8th grade
Enrollment410 (2020)
CampusUrban
Colors   Blue and Gold
MascotThe Unicorn
RivalBuckley
WebsiteAllen-Stevenson.org

The Allen-Stevenson School is a private boys school for kindergarten through 8th grade located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. It opened in 1883 and has been as its present location since 1924. The school has two divisions: Lower Division (K-4) and Upper Division (5–8) with a student body of approximately 389 pupils.[1] The head of school is Duncan Lyon, the fifth head to be appointed since the school's founding.

History

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The Allen School was founded in 1883 by Francis Bellows Allen at a home on Fifth Avenue and 57th Street. Its first class enrolled only three boys. In 1885, the school moved to rented rooms at Madison Avenue and 44th Street with an enrollment of 20 boys. In 1904, Mr. Allen met Robert Alston Stevenson, a tutor, who by chance had taken a room at 509 Fifth Avenue, where the School was then located. In 1904, Mr. Allen and Mr. Stevenson joined forces and then moved to 50 East 57th Street with 100 students. By 1918 enrollment exceeded 200. The School published its first newspaper, The Spotlight, and introduced an exercise program and team sports.

The school building on East 78th Street

In 1924, the School purchased two brownstones for a new schoolhouse and moved to its present location on the Upper East Side. In 1939, Mr. Allen retired at the age of 80, after 56 years of service. In 1947, Mr. Stevenson retired after 43 years of service. His son, Robert "Huck" Alston Stevenson Jr., who had taught at the School, succeeded him as Headmaster.

In 1950, Joseph C. Rennard became Headmaster of Allen-Stevenson and served for nine years. The School introduced team sports at Randall's Island and required boys to wear navy blue blazers and gray flannel pants. In 1959, Henry Dyer Tiffany Jr. became Headmaster until 1974. Under his leadership, a modern science lab and a paneled library, a gift from the Bell family, were added.

Allen-Stevenson's school song was composed by Rolande Maxwell Young in 1968, the year she joined the A-S faculty as a lower-school music teacher.[2]

In 1974, Desmond Cole (previously the head of UNIS) became Headmaster and served in that capacity for 16 years.[3] During his tenure, he created the Middle School division.

In 1983, The Allen-Stevenson School celebrated its first 100 years and published The Allen-Stevenson Centennial Album. Around that time an East 77th Street addition, designed by A-S parent Alfredo De Vido, was built onto the school.

In 1990, the Board of Trustees appointed David Trower as Allen-Stevenson's seventh Headmaster. In 2001, Allen-Stevenson launched its first website to improve communication about the School.

In 2007, a total renovation-expansion of the school interior was completed, which preserved the school's Classical Revival brick and Victorian brownstone facades according to New York Landmarks Preservation Commission guidelines for the Upper East Side Historic District.

In 2008, the school completed a year-long celebration of its 125th anniversary. The Board of Trustees approved Allen-Stevenson and Its Community, a policy statement about inclusion and community life.

In 2009, Allen-Stevenson was twice recognized for its work on energy and the environment, first with a coveted Energy Star rating by the U.S. Department of Energy, and then by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for LEED Gold Certification for Existing Buildings (EB). This made Allen-Stevenson the very first elementary school in the United States to achieve LEED-EB Gold status.[4]

In 2015, Allen-Stevenson filed an application to New York City's Board of Standards and Appeals to build two new buildings behind the facades of existing brownstones for expansion of classroom, arts and athletics space, and cap them with an 18-foot rooftop greenhouse.[5]

Admissions

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Allen-Stevenson has a highly selective admissions process. A financial aid program ensures that the boys remain heterogeneous; as with many of its peer NYC schools.[6] The school is private, functioning under a New York City non-profit statute.[7] The school is governed by a board of trustees and administered by a head of school.

Academics

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The school is divided into two schools that serve boys from TK (transitional kindergarten) through 8th grade. It has a rigorous academic curriculum and Allen-Stevenson boys attend top-rated high schools including: Collegiate School, Dwight-Englewood School, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Hackley School, Horace Mann School, Regis High School, Riverdale Country School, Trinity School, and boarding schools Choate Rosemary Hall, Kent School, The Taft School, The Lawrenceville School, The Putney School, Phillips Academy Andover, Phillips Exeter Academy, and Deerfield Academy.[8]

Lower Division

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The Lower School consists of TK (transitional kindergarten) through fourth grades. Curriculum includes:

  • Language Arts (Reading, Writing)
  • Social Studies (Geography, Humanities, History)
  • Mathematics (Arithmetic)
  • Science (Physical Science and Biology)
  • Language (Spanish)

Specialty classes include:

  • Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Woodshop)
  • Music (Rhythm, Music Theory, Singing and Instruments, Chorus, Ensemble)
  • Library (Literacy and Research Skills)
  • Science and Engineering
  • Technology and Digital Fluency
  • Physical Education and Athletics

Upper Division

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The Upper school consists of fifth through 8th grades. Upper school curriculum:[9] expands upon the foundations from the Lower School:

  • English (Literature, Reading, Writing)
  • History (Ancient World, Atlantic World, American History)
  • Mathematics (Arithmetic, Algebra I)
  • Science and Engineering (Earth Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry)
  • World Languages (Spanish)

Specialty classes

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  • Fine Arts (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Film and Media)
  • Visual Arts (Computer Art, Visual Literacy, Design)
  • Music/Performing Arts (Chorus, Orchestra, String Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Theater, Technical Theater Crew)
  • Computer Science and Engineering (Robotics, Design, Engineering)
  • Physical Education and Athletics

Education Technology

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Allen-Stevenson's EdTech team, including Sarah Kresberg, Director of Library Services, and Ainsley Messina, Technology Integrator, has been at the forefront of exploring positive uses of AI in schools. The team recently presented, "Making the Machine Less Scary - Introducing AI to your School Community," at ISTE. Messina was also included in Dan Fitzpatrick's book, "Back-To-School AI Guide 2024/25: 46 Steps & Tools For Educators Exploring Artificial Intelligence."[10]

Athletics

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Programs

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Allen-Stevenson has a competitive sports program for boys with eight interscholastic sports: cross country, soccer, flag football, basketball, wrestling, track, lacrosse, and baseball. The school includes both a varsity program for seasoned athletes and no-cut junior varsity teams.[11] Allen-Stevenson offers a basketball summer camp for grades 4–8.

Accolades

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Allen-Stevenson's basketball teams have achieved championship status, with the Varsity team winning the Manhattan Private Middle School League (MPMSL) Championship in the 2022–2023 season. In 2024, both the Varsity and Junior Varsity teams were league champions in the 2024–2025 season. The school's athletics program has a lengthy history, with 42 total league championships across all sports.[12]

Headmasters

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  1. Francis Bellows Allen (1859–1952) - 1883–1939, joins with Mr. Stevenson in 1904
  2. Robert Alston Stevenson Sr. - 1904–1947, becomes full-time Headmaster after Mr. Allen retires
  3. Robert "Huck" Alston Stevenson Jr. - 1947–1949, takes over when his father retires after 43 years.
  4. Cesidio Ruel Simboli Ph.D. - Acting Headmaster 1949–1950
  5. Joseph C. Rennard - 1950–1959, introduces navy blazers and gray flannel pants.
  6. Henry Dyer Tiffany Jr. (1910–1994) - 1959–1974, adds modern science lab and the paneled Bell Library to the school.[13]
  7. Desmond Francis Patrick Cole (1924–2008) - 1974–1990, expands the science program, introduces micro-computers, and creates the Middle School division.[14][15]
  8. David Ross Trower (1946–2023) - 1990–2022, greatly expanded the school's physical plant while incorporating technological education.[16]
  9. Duncan Lyon - 2022–2027, Announced his resignation to become Head of his alma mater.[17]

Notable alumni

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Notable faculty

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  • Stanley D. Gauger (1925–2012), director of the music department and orchestra, 1948–1986.[18]
  • Josh Harris (born 1964), vice president and treasurer in the early 2010s, co-founder of Apollo Global Management and owner of several sports teams.[19]
  • Donald Judd (1928–1994), Minimalist artist, taught art at Allen-Stevenson from 1957 to 1961.[20]
  • Paul Kellogg, Assistant Headmaster and Head of the Lower School, 1967–1975; General and artistic director of the New York City Opera, 1996–2006.[21]
  • Julia Kunin, art teacher.[22]
  • Robelyn Schrade-James (1954–2014), music teacher, pianist, performed at the 1964 New York World's Fair representing Steinway & Sons at age 10, also performed at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.
  • Rolande Schrade (1927–2015), music teacher, 1958–1989, composer and pianist.[23]
  • David Kersey h'98 (1943–2023), At various points taught English, Math, History, and Drama from 1968 to 2023.[24]

Allen-Stevenson in the news

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  • Allen-Stevenson Gymnastics - May 1911[25]
  • Allen-Stevenson Boxing Matches - March 1912[26]
  • Mr. Stevenson's Obit - April 1948[27]
  • Mr. Allen's Obit - November 1952[28]
  • Mr. Cole refuses to close Allen-Stevenson during the Blizzard of 1978 - February 1978[29]
  • Tradition Bound Allen Stevenson School Marks Centennial - May 1983[30]
  • Eighty members of the Allen-Stevenson School Orchestra, including then-Vice President George H. W. Bush's nephew Jonathan Bush Jr., perform at the White House on an unexpectedly rainy day in 1984, to kick off the White House Visitors Concert Series - May 1984[31]
  • A story in The New Yorker about Allen-Stevenson and dances - March 2002[32]
  • A legal battle being waged that could have a major impact on how community facilities - schools, churches and doctors' offices - are built in New York City's residential neighborhoods - March 1987[33]
  • Parents Protesting the End of Standardized Testing at Private Schools - May 2004[34]
  • An article about private school tuition - March 2004[35]
  • An article speaking on their “play street” - January 2023[36]

Affiliated organizations

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Sources:[37][38][39][40]

References

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  1. ↑ "The Allen-Stevenson School," US News, 2025.
  2. ↑ Noble, Clifton Jr. "Remembering Rolande and Robelyn Schrade," The Republican, February 2, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Desmond Cole: Obituary." The New York Times, January 13, 2008.
  4. ↑ Stein, Harris, and William Jose Higgins. "The Allen-Stevenson School is the First Elementary School in the U.S. to Receive LEED Gold Award for Existing Buildings." Building Energy Performance Assessment News, January 2010.
  5. ↑ Chen, Jackson. "Private School's Proposed Rooftop Greenhouse Lightning Rod for UES Critics." Manhattan Express, December 3, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Admissions". Niche. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Allen Stevenson School". ProPublica. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Where Our Graduates Go". Allen Steveson. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Middle School for Boys". The Browning School. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  10. ↑ "ISTELive 25: Strategies to Disarm Fears Over Implementing AI". Gov Tech. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Athletics Overview". The Allen-Stevenson School. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  12. ↑ "25th Athletics Overview". Allen-Stevenson. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
  13. ↑ Henry Dyer Tiffany Jr., Headmaster, 84 - New York Times
  14. ↑ LifeQuarters.com: Websites for Any Occasion
  15. ↑ Deaths - COLE, DESMOND !-- Bot generated title -->
  16. ↑ "DAVID TROWER Obituary (2023) - New York, NY - New York Times". Legacy.com. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  17. ↑ https://episcopalnewsservice.org/pressreleases/cathedral-school-for-boys-names-alumnus-duncan-lyon-83-as-next-head-of-school/
  18. ↑ Obituary for Stanley D. Gauger, ObitTree
  19. ↑ "Allen-Stevenson School". ProPublica. May 9, 2013. Archived from the original on July 16, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Donald Judd." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Farmington Hills, Mich.: The Gale Group, 2004.
  21. ↑ "Paul Kellogg to retire as New York City Opera's General and Artistic Director at the end of the 2006-07 Season," Opera Today, September 15, 2005.
  22. ↑ "Julia Kunin," Seven Sisters,
  23. ↑ Noble, Clifton Jr. "Remembering Rolande and Robelyn Schrade," The Republican, February 2, 2015.
  24. ↑ "DAVID KERSEY Obituary (1943 - 2023) - New York, NY - New York Times". Legacy.com. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  25. ↑ GYMNASTICS BY SCHOOLBOYS - Lads of Allen-Stevenson School Show Proficiency - Talk by Dr. Anderson. - View Article
  26. ↑ BOYS, 8 TO 15, BOX IN SCHOOL BOUTS - Youngsters of Allen-Stevenson "Prep" Decide Honors at Irish-American Club. - View Article
  27. ↑ "ROBERT A. STEVENSON". The New York Times. April 24, 1948. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  28. ↑ "FRANCIS BELLOWS ALLEN". The New York Times. November 4, 1952. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  29. ↑ Keep a Stiff Upper Lip, Chaps - Article
  30. ↑ Maeroff, Gene I. (May 15, 1983). "TRADITION BOUND ALLEN-STEVENSON SCHOOL MARKS CENTENNIAL". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  31. ↑ Rimer, Sara. "An 80-boy New York Symphony Makes a Rainy Washington Debut," The New York Times, May 30, 1984
  32. ↑ First Night Out: Kinds of Kids : The New Yorker
  33. ↑ Dunlap, David W. "School's Plan for an Annex Stirs a Dispute on East Side." The New York Times, April 20, 1987.
  34. ↑ Parents Protest End of Standardized Testing at Private School – New York Times
  35. ↑ Tuition Hits $26,000, and in Private School New York, That's Just for Kindergarten - New York Times
  36. ↑ Worrell, Georgia (January 15, 2023). "NYC doctors and elite Allen-Stevenson School battle over 'Open Streets'". Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  37. ↑ Allen-Stevenson School, NAIS
  38. ↑ More Member School Stories, IBSC
  39. ↑ Boys Schools, NAIS
  40. ↑ Directory, ISAAGNY
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