Founded by Clara B. Spence in 1892, The Spence School is an independent, college- preparatory, day school for girls in kindergarten through Grade 12, with separate campuses for the Upper and Lower Schools. Spence has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence and admits approximately one in ten applicants. Students are drawn from the five boroughs of New York City as well as New Jersey, some commuting as long as three hours a day. Spence is committed to high academic standards, integrity, a diverse student body and a purpose larger than oneself.
General Information
- Founded in 1892
- Head of School Bodie Brizendine
- All-girls K-12, independent college preparatory school
- Accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS)
Location
- 22 East 91st Street, housing Grades 5-12 (opened 1929)
- 56 East 93rd Street, housing Grades K-4 (opened 2003)
- 133,165 square feet of space
- 40 Classrooms
- 6 Science Labs
- 6 Art Studios and an Art History Room
- 2 Music Rooms
- Computer Lab
- Photography Darkroom
- 3 Gymnasiums and a Fitness Room
- 2 Performance Spaces
- 2 Dance Studios
- 2 Libraries, nearly 25,000 volumes and subscriber access to online resources
Students
- Total Enrollment: 684
- Lower School: 259
- Middle School: 215
- Upper School: 210
- 17 students per class in Lower School
- Grades K-2 have two teachers for each class
- Middle and Upper School classes range from one-on-one tutorials, to seminars, to full classrooms
- Over 30 Clubs and Activities available to Upper School students
- 68 students live outside of Manhattan
- 30% are students of color
- Student/Faculty ratio is 7:1
- 19% of students receive Financial Aid
- 100% of the graduating seniors attend college
Faculty
- Total number of teachers: 123
- 73% hold advanced degrees
- 22% are teachers of color
- Median of 13 years of teaching experience
- Average years at Spence: 9.3
- 22% Male
- 78% Female
Top ten college destinations for Spence graduates from 2005 to 2009
Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, Princeton University, Columbia University, Harvard University, New York University, Duke University, Brown University, Wesleyan University
Athletics
League: Athletic Association of Independent Schools of New York City (AAIS)
League Opponents: Brearley, Chapin, Sacred Heart, Friends Seminary, Hewitt, Marymount, Nightingale-Bamford, Packer-Collegiate, St. Ann’s, Trevor Day, and Trinity.