Message from the Head of School

Dear Friends,

Welcome to New City School! Founded in 1969, New City is built upon progressive ideals and for over 50 years has helped children discover a love of learning, leading to success not only in school, but success in life as well. Academic development is of paramount importance at New City School—our curriculum is challenging and our secondary school placement is strong. Equally important to us is the social and emotional development of children, and we work very hard to ensure that students understand themselves as learners and individuals. Our students understand how to approach and solve problems, how to work with others, and they grow up with a strong sense of the world around them. 

Community is another hallmark of the New City School experience. We have intentionally created a community that is exceptionally diverse, and we embrace the joys and challenges that come with learning and living in a diverse environment. We define diversity very broadly and view children’s understanding of identity, diversity, and issues of social justice as key to achievement in life. 

With an accomplished and skilled faculty, we have built and continue to sustain a school with a local and international reputation for excellence in education. New City is an amazing school; I invite you to discover that for yourself. I look forward to your visit and to welcoming you as your family gets to know our community.

Sincerely,

Alexis S. Wright
Head of School
awright@newcityschool.org

About Alexis

After a nation-wide search in 2016, Alexis was unanimously selected by New City School’s Board of Trustees to serve as New City’s 5th Head of School, succeeding Tom Hoerr who previously led New City for 34 years. Prior to New City School, Alexis served as Dean of Children’s Programs at Bank Street College of Education in New York City. Bank Street College is an internationally recognized institution devoted to early childhood education and teacher preparation and development.

 

Alexis began his career in education as a 5th and 6th grade science teacher at Rye Country Day School, in Rye, NY, where he also coached middle school baseball and football. He then moved into a leadership role as Middle School Principal before moving to Chicago to become Principal of the Middle School at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. After three years in that position, Alexis was recruited back to Rye Country Day, where he served as the Assistant Head of School and Director of Financial Aid before moving to Bank Street College.

 

Alexis is a trustee on the board of ERB (Educational Records Bureau), a member organization that provides admissions and achievement assessments and instructional services for schools and students. Alexis is also a member of the boards of trustees of the St. Louis Association of Independent Schools (ISSL) and the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), the regional association that provides professional development and accreditation services for member schools. Alexis has presented on topics such as leadership and diversity at annual conferences of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and he is a contributing author to the recent NAIS publication Diversity Work in Independent Schools.

 

Originally from New York City, Alexis earned his MA in Marine Affairs and Policy from the University of Miami (FL) and earned a BS in Human Ecology from Rutgers University (NJ). Alexis and his wife have two daughters, one of whom is a graduate of New City School (the other still has a few more years until graduation!).