Tom Sturtevant, Head of Ross School

Ross was founded on the belief that education should prepare students not just for the world as it exists today, but for a world that will continue to change. That requires more than mastering a set of facts. Students need to be curious, adaptable, creative, collaborative and confident enough to tackle problems they have never encountered before.

That philosophy continues to drive Ross. We give students a strong academic foundation while creating meaningful opportunities to apply what they are learning, through experiential and project-based learning, STEAM and STEM, global experiences, the arts, athletics and interdisciplinary studies. Just as importantly, students are known as individuals. They have the support and freedom to explore their interests, take intellectual risks and develop a path that is genuinely their own.

We believe that combination of rigor, relevance and individual attention is what families increasingly value and what has allowed Ross to grow while remaining true to its founding vision.

Ross combines a rigorous academic program with extensive opportunities for students to learn by doing. Our students don’t simply study concepts in isolation; they are encouraged to make connections across disciplines and apply what they know to real questions and challenges.

Through STEAM and STEM, students move from ideas to action, combining science, technology, engineering, mathematics, creativity and design to solve problems and create tangible outcomes.

Experiential learning is central to the Ross experience, and Field Academy takes that approach beyond the classroom. Students travel to and learn in different environments and communities, encountering the cultures, ecosystems, economies and challenges they are studying firsthand.

And throughout the Upper School, students have opportunities to pursue increasingly independent work. The Senior Project is a particularly important example: students identify a question or idea that matters to them, conduct research, work with outside experts and resources, develop new skills and ultimately create an original piece of work. It brings together curiosity, independence, creativity, persistence and communication, while often helping students discover what they want to pursue next.

The biggest difference is that Ross doesn’t define excellence as following one prescribed path. We believe students do their best work when they are known well, supported as individuals and given room to discover what genuinely interests them.

That means two Ross students can have very different academic experiences and both be successful. One might pursue visual art at a high level; another might become deeply engaged in how the climate is impacting local ecosystems; another might discover a passion through Field Academy or athletics. Students have the opportunity to go deep rather than simply check boxes.

That individualized approach also changes the role of the teacher. Teachers are not just delivering a curriculum; they are helping students understand how they learn, what challenges them, what excites them, and where they can go next. The result is students who are not only academically prepared, but increasingly confident in who they are and what they want to contribute.

Ross has become so much more than a school to our family – it has truly become an extension of our family. There is a level of care here that feels incredibly special and rare. Teachers know and care for my children whether they’ve taught them directly or not, and because of that, my kids feel deeply seen, known, and safe. As a parent, there is nothing more meaningful.

– From Parent Shirley Roseman. Her kids are in Grade 3 and Grade 6.

Ross serves a diverse community of day and boarding students from across the United States and from 25 different countries around the world. Our international and domestic boarding programs are designed to create a strong sense of belonging while giving students meaningful independence.

Rather than a traditional large dormitory model, Ross boarding students live in smaller, family-style houses with other students and faculty. That creates close relationships and a community that feels more like home, while giving students access to the academic, cultural and recreational opportunities of the Hamptons and proximity to New York City.

Ross School is an independent Early Childhood–Grade 12 school located in the Hamptons, approximately two hours east of New York City.

For families, it starts with something very simple: we know our students. Individual attention allows teachers and coaches to understand not only what a student is learning, but how they learn best, what motivates them and where they need support. That gives students the confidence to take risks, make mistakes and try things that may be outside their comfort zone.

That philosophy extends across the school. Students find community through academics, athletics, the arts, clubs and residential life. They develop relationships with teachers and coaches who know them well and can help them grow over time.

For younger students, even the physical environment is designed around this philosophy. The Lower School campus gives children space to explore, build, create, move and connect with nature, because we believe the environment in which children grow is itself part of their education.

Our priority is to keep asking what students will need to thrive in a world we cannot fully predict.

The answer is not simply more technology or more courses. It is helping young people become lifelong learners who can adapt, think critically and creatively, work across disciplines, collaborate with others and turn ideas into action.

We will continue evolving the curriculum and expanding opportunities for experiential learning, global education and independent work, while preserving the things that make Ross distinctive: individual attention, strong relationships and the freedom for students to develop their own interests and sense of purpose.

Ultimately, we want students to leave Ross prepared for college and careers, but also prepared for a much bigger challenge: navigating a changing world with curiosity, confidence and a clear sense of who they are.