Calhoun School

The 9th grade students applied their knowledge of kinematics and energy on various rides at Luna Park including calculating the gravitational potential energy of the Cyclone on the first hill, timing the drop, then calculating its maximum velocity at the bottom of the hill. They were also able to calculate the speeds of other rides using kinematic equations and the distances and times the rides traveled. Students had a great time experiencing the physics of rides; Luna Park was the perfect place to apply the physics concepts they have been learning about all year!

The 5th Annual Evening of Celebration and Recognition, hosted by the Alumni of Color Network, was an inspiring evening of community, reflection, and celebration. We were proud to honor Upper School Coordinator Caroline Garcia-Then, this year’s recipient of the Lavern McDonald Award for Advocacy and Mentorship in Diversity, recognizing her meaningful contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Belonging efforts and the Calhoun community.

The evening also celebrated graduating students of color and members of the Diversity and Accountability Board, featured a powerful alumni keynote address by Odetty Tineo ’08, and showcased memorable student performances. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special celebration!

The 4th grade’s overnight trip to Clearpool gave students the opportunity to step outside the classroom and learn through shared experiences in nature. From canoeing on Lake Clearpool to hiking through the trails, our 4th graders embraced each activity with enthusiasm and curiosity while building stronger connections with each other as we approach the end of the school year. It was a special few days filled with new experiences that brought the class even closer together!

Our Athletics Banquet brought together athletes, families, coaches, and Calhoun community members to celebrate the teams across our fall, winter, and spring seasons. We were proud to recognize all of our teams, senior athletes, and All-NYCAL players on their teamwork and commitment this year. Congratulations to our Calhoun student-athletes & coaches on another incredible year of Upper School athletics!

The Parents Association’s annual Faculty Tea was a wonderful way to celebrate and thank our incredible faculty and staff for another wonderful school year at Calhoun.

We were especially proud to recognize members of our community celebrating milestone tenure years from 5 to 30 years, honoring their dedication and lasting impact on generations of Calhoun students. Thank you for all that you do each and every day!

Calhoun’s 7th and 8th grade students recently embarked on memorable overnight trips to Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia! Our seventh graders visited Washington, D.C., where they visited iconic landmarks and museums throughout the nation’s capital. Eighth graders traveled to Philadelphia, immersing themselves in the city’s rich history and vibrant culture with stops at the Liberty Bell, and the Franklin Institute, and the Museum of the American Revolution. Each year these trips offer Calhoun students meaningful opportunities to deepen their learning, strengthen friendships, and create lasting memories beyond the classroom.

From the labs of MIT to the pages of academic journals, Chatrina N. ’26 is proving that the future of science is already here.

Chatrina’s fascination with chemistry has taken her far beyond the classroom. This past summer, she spent three weeks in Boston interning at Emerald, an MIT startup revolutionizing healthcare. Working alongside computer scientist and professor Dina Katabi, Chatrina spent her days analyzing data from a wall-mounted device that can actually perform nightly brain scans remotely.

But she didn’t stop there. Chatrina is also the co-author of a recent paper exploring the deep connection between the gut and the brain, examining how diet can impact mental health—specifically how digital companions can help patients build lasting habits when transitioning off medications like Ozempic.

For Chatrina, it’s all about the intersection of neuroscience and psychology. And she’s doing it all while staying true to her roots; she still listens to her favorite science podcasts in German!

“Calhoun taught me English and to love chemistry,” she says. We can’t wait to see what she discovers next! 🔬

Inspired by this year’s theme, “Community: Built Different,” 5th and 6th graders spent May Days discovering all the ways a community can be created through creativity, collaboration, curiosity, and shared experiences. Students worked together on large-scale art installations inspired by artists they studied and explored special courses ranging from protest movements and potato-powered electricity to knitting, chess, anime, song composition, and baking. Across every project and classroom, students built connections with peers, faculty, and staff in the Calhoun community.

From coding original video games to building sustainable cities and programming mini robots, Lower School students are turning curiosity into creativity. Through hands-on projects in our STEAM Lab, Calhoun students build skills in science, technology, engineering, art, and math while learning to collaborate and problem-solve. Every project in the STEAM lab encourages our students to see themselves as the innovators of tomorrow. Learn more about our STEAM curriculum at the link in our bio!