The Spence School adheres to a long-standing policy of admitting students of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, and national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship or athletic and other school-administered programs.

School Profile

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
  • 2 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: 704
  • Lower School: 259
  • Middle School: 222
  • Upper School: 223
  • 17 students per class in Lower School
  • 14 students per class in Middle and Upper Schools
  • 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 40 Clubs and Activities available to Upper School students
  • 64 students live outside of Manhattan
  • 33% 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: 124
  • 74% hold advanced degrees
  • 26% are teachers of color
  • Median of 14 years of teaching experience
  • Average years at Spence: 9.3
  • 23% Male
  • 77% Female

Top College Destinations

Please see the Senior class college list and the five-year matriculation list.

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.

"Non scholae sed vitae discimus"

"Not for school but for life we learn"