The Calhoun School

The Calhoun School is an independent day school on Manhattan's Upper West Side, serving about 600 students from pre-K through grade 12. The school has no religious affiliation and draws faculty and families from across New York City's five boroughs. Its progressive curriculum emphasizes intellectual pursuit, creativity, and real-world problem-solving rather than rote content delivery.

Teaching at The Calhoun School means designing flexible units and working across grade levels. Faculty blend subjects through integrated projects that respond to student questions and current events. This approach requires educators who enjoy curriculum experimentation and can shift lessons on the fly when a teachable moment appears. It is not rigid, standardized instruction.

The school maintains active language programs in Mandarin Chinese, French, and Spanish, creating consistent hiring for world language teachers. Elementary and middle school roles combine traditional subject teaching with interdisciplinary work. Upper school positions in English, math, sciences, and humanities operate on the same project-based model. Administrative and support staff positions open periodically across all divisions.

Day school teaching in Manhattan offers distinct lifestyle advantages. Unlike boarding school faculty, Calhoun teachers commute from home and maintain separation between work and personal life. The school's urban location puts museums, theaters, and cultural institutions steps away, enriching field trips and guest speakers. Urban diversity also means your classroom reflects New York itself.

For educators drawn to progressive methods and teaching in a diverse city, The Calhoun School offers real influence over curriculum design and the chance to shape how a Manhattan institution educates its students.