Joe Algrant is resigning as head of Ethical Culture Fieldston School after a tumultuous year of conflicts within the school community.
Ethical Culture Fieldston School, one of New York’s prestigious private institutions, has recently undergone a leadership change following a tumultuous academic year marked by internal conflicts related to the war in Gaza. Joe Algrant, who served as the head of school for two years, announced his resignation to pursue other personal and professional endeavors. The Fieldston board of trustees confirmed his departure in an email to the school community, noting Algrant’s decision to step down. Despite acknowledging the school’s strong mission and values, Algrant chose not to provide further comments on the matter.
The school faced challenges during the past year, including student activism in support of Palestine that led to graffiti incidents at the high school, attracting significant public attention. Concerns were raised by parents regarding the school’s response to the divisions among students, faculty, and alumni, as well as the lack of clear guidelines on activism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia. These issues were not unique to Fieldston, as similar tensions were observed in other private schools in New York City. Algrant’s resignation follows a similar move at Collegiate School, where the head of school departed due to reported religious and cultural bias within the institution.
Established in the late 19th century with a focus on social justice, Fieldston currently educates a diverse student population of 1,700 across its campuses in Manhattan and the Bronx. The school emphasizes personal identity exploration, with students as young as fourth and fifth graders participating in group programs that reflect various cultural backgrounds and identities. Annual tuition at Fieldston exceeds $65,000, reflecting its status as a premium educational institution.
Following Algrant’s departure, Kyle Wilkie-Glass, the chief executive officer, will oversee the school’s operations, with support from lower, middle, and upper school principals and other administrators. This leadership transition aims to address the recent challenges and maintain the school’s commitment to its core values and educational mission.
Source: The NY Times
