By Jenna Lebovits
On just about any given day at Dwight-Englewood School, you might find curious students exploring the 45-acre campus, tending to the local apiary and gardens, or participating in scavenger hunts, learning how to read maps and compasses. Only one exit away from the George Washington Bridge, the coeducational independent school located in Englewood, New Jersey, guides each of its young thought leaders—from preschool through 12th grade—in finding answers to meaningful questions like: What will you discover next?
The school’s roughly 1,000 students are divided into three academic divisions—Lower, Middle and Upper School—each with its own developmentally appropriate curriculum, and a student-to-teacher ratio of 8:1. The college prep school is the most ethnically diverse in Bergen County, representing over 80 communities and 119 zip codes in New Jersey and New York. “It’s about learning to take different perspectives and learn from each other,” says director of Lower School admissions Jennifer Celiberti. “We come from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, races, religions, and locations, bringing together unique perspectives that strengthen our community.” A warm and dynamic learning environment that’s easily felt is central to the D-E experience.
This fall, prospective students and their families are invited to attend a variety of admissions events, both virtual and on-campus—including open houses, tours, interactive curriculum nights and informational sessions—to witness firsthand the power of experiential learning and creative thinking.
The faculty and staff—whose skills are constantly fine-tuned by robust year-round professional development programming—strike a perfect balance between the arts, athletics, academics and personal growth for students. The school’s motto, “Through hard work, we arrive at the truth,” is a driving force. “Students learn how to develop a strong work ethic and executive functioning skills,” says Celiberti. “Our program provides students with the opportunity to become well-rounded individuals, offering them the chance to explore diverse subjects and activities, try new things, and grow as they discover what inspires them—whether in academics, arts, wellness, or co-curricular clubs.”
In a world where there is often pressure for perfection, DE students are encouraged to strive for excellence instead, allowing them to learn and grow more deeply. “It’s part of our pedagogy,” shares Celiberti. ““We prioritize creating a sense of belonging, joy, and engagement in our students, which helps them learn more efficiently. “We really want the children to be curious, and we nurture that curiosity so they ask questions and think critically and deeply about things.” While its program is academically rich and renowned, D-E is “not a pressure cooker school,” says Celiberti.
Concepts such as “wellness” and “growth mindset” aren’t simply buzzwords at Dwight-Englewood School; they’re foundational concepts that are put into practice and seamlessly integrated into the curricula across all three divisions every day. Peer mentoring, caring guidance from our faculty, life skills courses, yoga, meditation, and more are available to help students maintain balance and thrive in our challenging academic environment.
“We believe in nurturing the intellect and heart,” says Celiberti. Through a holistic, multidimensional approach to education, students are empowered to discover their authentic selves and feel safe trying new things, supporting a deeper, more efficient kind of learning. How differently the world might look if all children were given this space to learn and grow. To schedule a visit, call 201.227.3102 or visit Dwight-Englewood School’s admissions page. d-e.org