Update from Campus
With the first semester of the 2024-2025 academic year well underway, there are very few quiet moments at Horace Mann School! Detailed below is a representative sampling of recent activities on campus.
2024-2025 Middle and Upper Division Performing Arts
The current year’s performing arts calendar offers a scintillating collection of shows. The Upper Division’s fall play was held in the Black Box Theater on November 7, 8, and 9. The show -- “Marian (or the True Tale of Robin Hood)” by Adam Szymkowicz and directed by Jonathan Nye -- is described as "a gender-bending, patriarchy-smashing, hilarious new take on the classic tale.” It was terrific fun for all.
The Middle Division will put on, “Seussical the Musical” (book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, book and music by Stephen Flaherty) in December. The show will be directed by Middle and Upper Division theater and dance teacher Haila VanHentrnryck, with musical direction by Carmen Keels (Middle Division music faculty) and choreography by Shuwanda Gardner, Lower Division library assistant. Performances will be held December 4, 6, and 7.
The Middle and Upper Divisions will perform together in a winter dance concert on January 24th, directed and choreographed by Angela Patmon, a faculty member in the Middle and Upper Division theater and dance department.
In the spring, the Upper Division will perform, “Chicago” (book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb). The show will be directed by Benjamin Posner (chair of the Middle and Upper Division theater and dance department and holder of the Susan and Peter Schweitzer Chair in Theater) and choreographed by Angela Patmon.
HM Athletics Launches Instagram Account
Physical Education faculty member Andrea Garcia has spearheaded the launch of our Athletics Department’s Instagram account. Follow horacemannlions and stay up to date on our athletics programming, enjoy interviews with student athletes, receive game updates, and view photos, among other topics.
Girls Varsity Tennis Captures Ivy Prep School League Championship – HM Doubles Team Wins NYSAIS Tournament
The HM girls varsity tennis team defeated Hackley 4-1 on October 23rd to become the 2024 Ivy Prep League Tournament Champions. In the finals of the NYSAIS girls tennis tournament, HM doubles team Gabrielle Hayden (12) and Emmy Odell (11) defeated their HM teammates Maya Rangarajan (10) and Emma Chang (12) to capture the state championship 6-3, 7-6(7).
Varsity Water Polo Secures 16th Consecutive Ivy Prep School League Championship
For the 16th year in a row, varsity water polo decisively defeated their peer schools to once again claim the Ivy Prep League Championship.
HM Senior Recruited for Dominican Republic National Water Polo Team
Noah Castillo ’24
Varsity water polo Noah Castillo ’25 has been recruited to play for the Dominican Republic at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games. The competitions will be held in Santo Domingo from July 24 to August 8, 2026.
HM Employment News
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Jahmire Cassanova of the Class of 2017 has joined HM as an admissions fellow.
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Horace Mann School is seeking a full-time leave replacement (not permanent) for an Upper Division history teacher, with an anticipated start date of mid-January. This is a great opportunity for someone who is embarking on a teaching career or seeks more teaching experience. Here is a link to the job posting: https://www.horacemann.org/our-school/employment
College Counseling Office to Relocate
In the coming months, construction will wrap up on 4456 Tibbett Avenue, the new home of HM’s CoCo, as the Office of College Counseling is affectionately called. CoCo, currently located in a house at the Lower Division campus, is looking forward to being closer to the students on the Upper Division campus.
Campus Visits
With the safety of our students being HM’s number one priority, our Office of Public Safety has revised the visitor policy. Visitors to any of our campuses during the school day must have an appointment and must check in with a public safety officer. Arriving on campus without an appointment, unless it’s an emergency, does not automatically translate into a same-day visit being granted. If you would like to pay us a visit, please contact the Alumni Office in advance at (718) 432-3450.
The Anxious Generation
Students in HM’s Upper Division Studies in Psychology class held a presentation and discussion about cell phones and other hand-held devices. Parents, alumni, and employees were invited to a reception, poster session, and talkback focusing on Jonathan Haidt’s new book, The Anxious Generation. Student posters were shared as a cross-sampling of the research in the book was discussed and/or referenced.