The Browning School is a college preparatory school for boys located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Founded in 1888 by John A. Browning, the school is a member of the New York Interschool.

The Browning School
Address
Map
52 East 62nd Street New York City 10065

,
Information
TypePrivate
MottoGrytte
Established1888
FounderJohn A. Browning
President, Board of TrusteesValda Witt
HeadmastersJohn A. Browning (1888–1920)
Arthur Jones (1920–1948)
Lyman B. Tobin (1948–1952)
Charles W. Cook (1952–1988)
Stephen M. Clement, III (1988–2016)
John M. Botti ( 2016 - Present)
Faculty110
GradesK — 12
GenderMale
Enrollment431
Student to teacher ratio6:1
CampusUrban
Color(s)Red and Black
SportsNYCAL, NYSAIS
MascotThe Panther
AccreditationNew York Interschool, New York State Association of Independent Schools
NewspaperThe Grytte
YearbookThe Grytte
WebsiteThe Browning School

History

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The school was founded in 1888 by John A. Browning to instruct the Rockefeller brothers, including Percy and John D. Rockefeller.[1][2] Arthur Jones succeeded Browning as headmaster, in 1920, moved the school from West 55th Street to its present location on East 62nd Street, and expanded extracurricular activities. Jones retired in 1948; Lyman B. Tobin, a Browning teacher for more than 30 years, became the school's third headmaster.

In 1952, upon Tobin's retirement, the school named teacher Charles W. Cook (class of 1938), as its fourth headmaster. Under his 36-year leadership, the Browning School expanded rapidly. After a lengthy fundraising drive, the school bought the adjoining carriage house and rebuilt it, and the new building opened in 1960. The school's expansion continued in 1967, with the building of a larger gymnasium on the roof and, in the late 1970s, with the acquisition of an interest in the building next door.

In 1988, Stephen M. Clement, III became Browning's fifth headmaster and served a tenure of 28 years. John M. Botti was appointed Head of School in 2016.

Serving over 400 students, the school has more than doubled its size 50 years. A new library, four new science laboratories, two new art studios, and additional classrooms were built in 2013.[3] In 2022, the school announced renovation plans to expand its upper school, renovating a former parking garage to house its new high school grades at 337 East 64th Street, a few blocks northeast from the main campus building.[4]

In 2021 Browning published Buzzwords, a new digital magazine, designed to tells the School's story in a fresh and compelling way. Browning is a part of the Interschool. Per tradition, the school year commences and closes with an assembly in Christ Church United Methodist.[5][6]

Admissions

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Browning has a highly selective admissions process. There are approximately 25-34 boys per grade at the school, averaging about 32 per grade with a student-teacher ratio of 6:1.[7] A financial aid program ensures that the boys remain heterogeneous; as with many of its peer NYC schools. The school is private, functioning under a New York City non-profit statute enacted in the 1940s. 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 three schools that serve boys from kindergarten through 12th grade. It has a rigorous academic curriculum, with the majority of graduates going onto enroll in college.[8]

Lower School

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The Lower School consists of kindergarten through fourth grades and is located at the 52 E 62nd Street location. Curriculum includes:

  • Language Arts (Reading, Writing)
  • Social Studies (Geography, Humanities, History)
  • Mathematics (Arithmetic, Math in Focus, Singapore Math)[9]
  • Science (Physical Science, Biology, Planetary Science)
  • Modern languages (French, Spanish)

Specialty classes include:

  • Visual Arts (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Media)
  • Music (Rhythm, Music Theory, Singing and Instruments)
  • Library (Literacy and Research Skills)
  • Computer Science and Engineering (Robotics, Coding, Digital Safety)
  • Health and Wellness
  • Physical Education
  • Chess

Middle School

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The Middle school consists of fifth through 8th grades and is located at the 52 E 62nd Street location along with the Lower School. Middle school curriculum[10] expands upon the foundations from the Lower School:

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

Specialty classes include:

  • Fine Arts (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Media)
  • Computer Science and Engineering (Robotics, Design, Engineering)
  • Physical Education
  • Health and Wellness
  • Modern Masculinities, which is also a part of The Browning School's Speaker Series.[11]

Upper School

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The Upper School consists of high school 9th - 12th grades.[12] It is ranked as one of the top ten high schools for boys in the United States.[13] The Upper School will open a newly constructed facility at 337 E 64th Street.[4] The campus expansion houses 13 new classrooms, four stories of offices, a library, cafeteria, gymnasium, and green roof and rear yard.[14]

Upper-level curriculum consists of:

  • English (Creative Writing, World Literature, American Literature)
  • History (European, United States, World History)
  • Mathematics (Geometry, Algebra, Calculus, Data Science)
  • Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
  • World Languages (Latin, French, Mandarin, Spanish, Greek).

Curriculum also includes specialty classes:

  • Fine Arts (Music, Studio art, Drama, Public Speaking),
  • Computer Science and Engineering (Computer Engineering, Data Science)
  • Health and Wellness (Health, Modern Masculinities)
  • Peer Leadership (12th grade students advising 9th grade students)
  • Social Impact (Community Involvement)
    • Browning Senior Class partners with Grassroots Grocery[15]
    • The Browning School partners with Daniel's Music Foundation[16][17]
  • Physical Education (either in-school PE classes or interscholastic team athletics).
  • Seniors also participate in a Senior Project.

The Upper School also offers a signature program called Certificates of Distinction[18] to students who pursue specific independent projects in one of four disciplines: engineering, data science, humanities, and fine arts. In April 2024, A Browning high school student created an AI algorithm that improved EMS accuracy in predicting what assistance 911 callers need.[19]

Graduates of the school often consider or enroll at various Ivy League and higher ed institutions.[20][21]

Athletics

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Browning teams compete in interscholastic soccer, cross country, basketball, squash, baseball, tennis, table tennis, golf, and track.[22] Interscholastic team sports are open to students in Grades Five through Grade Twelve in good academic standing. Interscholastic competition in basketball begins at Grade Five. There are also intramural opportunities at Browning in the fall, winter, and spring.

In anticipation of the fall and spring seasons, coaches provide preseason training to support boys in the honing of their game skills. Fall preseason camp takes place in the Berkshires at the end of August, and the spring camp is over break in Florida. The athletic department makes use of both facilities at school and those of New York City. The soccer and baseball teams practice at fields on Randall's Island. The track team makes use of Randall's Island and Central Park. In addition to the Upper and Lower gyms at school, the basketball teams take advantage of the gymnasium facilities at Equinox, Basketball City, and Chelsea Piers for practices and games. The tennis team practices and plays a number of its matches at the National Tennis Center, home of the U.S. Open, in Flushing, Queens as well as The West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills. Golf team practices are held at the driving ranges on Randall's Island and Chelsea Piers; matches are held at Mosholu.

Notable alumni

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Affiliated organizations

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References

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  1. ^ Gardner, Ralph (2013-10-03). "Still Buzzing About New York's Browning School". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  2. ^ "J.A. BROWNING DIES; RETIRED EDUCATOR; Founder, and for Forty Years Headmaster of School Bearing His Name. NOTABLES AMONG ALUMNI John D. Rockefeller Jr. and the Late V. Everit Macy Studied at the School". timesmachine.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2022-12-03.
  3. ^ Gardner, Ralph (2013-10-03). "Still Buzzing About New York's Browning". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  4. ^ a b "Upper East Side Private School Plots Major Expansion After A Century". Upper East Side, NY Patch. 2022-07-14. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  5. ^ "Browning's 130th Year Begins with Opening Assembly".
  6. ^ "Lower School Concludes Year with "Sing a Song" Assembly".
  7. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". The Browning School. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  8. ^ "The Browning School Test Scores and Academics". Niche. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  9. ^ "Private Elementary School for Boys". The Browning School. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  10. ^ "Middle School for Boys". The Browning School. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  11. ^ "Positive Masculinities for the Modern World | Positive Masculinity". positivemasculinity.org.au. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  12. ^ "Private High School for Boys". The Browning School. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  13. ^ "2025 Best All-Boys High Schools in America". Niche. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  14. ^ "The Browning School's Expansion Tops Out at 337 East 64th Street on Manhattan's Upper East Side". New York YIMBY. 2024-07-30. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  15. ^ "Sat., 6/8 - Browning Seniors Produce Party!". Grassroots Grocery. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  16. ^ "Disability Awareness". Daniel’s Music Foundation. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  17. ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  18. ^ "Certificates of Distinction". The Browning School. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  19. ^ Janoski, Steve (2024-04-17). "Exclusive | Manhattan high schooler creates astoundingly accurate AI algorithm that predicts resources needed for 911 calls". Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  20. ^ "The Browning School". Homes.com. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  21. ^ "Offers of Admission". The Browning School. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  22. ^ "Sports by Grade". The Browning School. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  23. ^ "John D. Rockefeller, 3rd, 1906-1978". Rockefeller Archive Center. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  24. ^ Currey, Josiah Seymour (April 27, 2017). "Harold Fowler McCormick". Chicago: Its History and its Builders. Vol. 4. Jazzybee Verlag. ISBN 9783849648978. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  25. ^ "Biographies of the Secretaries of State: Christian Archibald Herter (1895–1966)". Department of State Office of the Historian. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  26. ^ "COUDERT, Frederic René, Jr". Biographical Directory of the United State Congress. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  27. ^ "queerplaces - Thomas Quinn Curtiss". www.elisarolle.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  28. ^ "BARBOUR, William Warren". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  29. ^ "Paid Notice: Deaths SHRIVER, R". query.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  30. ^ "Claiborne Pell Obituary (2009) - New York, NY - New York Times". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  31. ^ "Obituary of Thomas Hedley Reynolds | Riposta Funeral Home". ripostafh.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  32. ^ Kaufman, Michael (September 28, 2008). "Osborn Elliott, Father of Newsweek's Rebirth, Dies at 83". NY Times. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  33. ^ Santos, Fernanda (2005-10-31). "Advertising Executive John Elliott Jr. Is Dead at 84". New York Times. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  34. ^ "#12: Jeffrey Moss '63 | Princeton Alumni Weekly". paw.princeton.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  35. ^ Grant, Richard (2013-06-07). "Richard Ballantine obituary". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  36. ^ "News Without End - Bostonia Summer 2011". www.bu.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  37. ^ "Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean '66 Speaks at Browning — The Browning School". browning.edu. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  38. ^ "A Crosstown Walk Down Memory Lane With Howard Dean | Observer". observer.com. 28 July 2003. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  39. ^ "Winthrop P. Rockefeller to Wed Deborah Sage". The New York Times. January 17, 1971. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  40. ^ "Scion of the Times". The New Yorker. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  41. ^ Lopez, Linette. "How Jamie Dimon Got To Be The Most Admired Banker In The World". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  42. ^ "Sam Morril biography". Last.fm. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  43. ^ "IBSC Founding Members - International Boys' Schools Coalition". www.theibsc.org. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  44. ^ "Directory - Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York". www.isaagny.org. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
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40°45′53.7″N 73°58′09.2″W / 40.764917°N 73.969222°W / 40.764917; -73.969222