Dalton School, University-preparatory school in Manhattan, United States.
Dalton School is a university-preparatory institution on Manhattan's Upper East Side that teaches students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Classrooms spread across several floors with spaces dedicated to science, arts, and physical movement under one roof.
Helen Parkhurst founded the school in 1919 with a teaching method that let students work at their own pace through assignments and regular check-ins. This approach influenced progressive education movements across the country in the decades that followed.
The First Program encourages younger students to explore learning through hands-on projects and group activities that build independence. Older students often gather in subject-specific labs where collaborative work shapes their daily routines.
Visitors need to arrange appointments ahead of time because the buildings remain closed during school hours. Tours typically take place on select weekdays when staff can guide guests through common areas and explain the teaching model.
Each student receives a weekly conference period where they sit down with teachers to review progress and set goals for upcoming work. This face-to-face time replaces traditional homework monitoring and builds accountability through conversation.
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