The Brearley School

Focus

Confidence and wisdom

Day fees 2024/25

$64,100

Pupils

772

Ages

4–18

Spear’s Review

The Brearley School is a day school for girls, located on New York’s Upper East Side. Empowered by community and creativity, Brearley girls are encouraged to ‘act with courage and integrity’. 

Girls are consistently challenged academically, with a curriculum that includes a range of core subjects. Students, particularly at upper levels, also have opportunities to pursue interests such as photography, sculpture, ceramics, dramatic productions, orchestra and chorus.

Alongside their studies, Brearley girls have an excellent range of activities, clubs, societies and sports to choose from – all aimed at enhancing their development and nurturing their interests. Girls may take up Brearley’s creative writing club, Middle Eastern culture club, robotics class or science club. Similarly, sports on offer are abundant, and girls may take up any sport including basketball, dance, hockey, lacrosse, soccer and softball. 

Academics

In 2024, the average SAT score was 1510.

In 2024, the average ACT score was 34.

University and college destinations

Brearley girls go on to matriculate at many of the world’s leading universities, including all eight Ivy League schools. Between 2020 and 2024, 124 students were accepted to Ivy League schools.

Head teacher

Jane Foley Fried, who has nearly 40 years of experience in independent schools, became head of Brearley School in 2012. Fried previously served as dean of admission and assistant head for enrolment, research and planning at Phillips Academy.  In addition to her role at Brearley, Fried is a past president and current trustee of the New York State Association of Independent Schools. She studied history and philosophy at Bowdoin College before earning a master’s degree from Tufts University.

Admissions

The application process varies according to age. Those joining kindergarten have the opportunity to visit the school and engage in some activities in class; admission to the middle and upper schools includes a written application and an in-person interview with the applicant and their family. All applicants are also required to sit Brearley’s mathematics and English assessments; girls are also required to submit answers to questions about themselves as well as examples of work and transcripts where necessary.

Accessibility

JFK Airport: 45 minutes

Location

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