Signature Programs

The IDEAL School of Manhattan is proud to introduce By Design, a dynamic new program embedded in our academic structure for students that offers advanced instruction and additional academic challenges to enhance their knowledge and skills in the classroom. Rooted in IDEAL’s commitment to personalized, inclusive education, By Design offers a pathway for students to engage in rigorous, hands-on learning that emphasizes critical thinking, problem solving, and innovation.

Students in the By Design program explore interdisciplinary projects that blend advanced STEM concepts with real-world applications. By Design consists of two components: additional course offerings and individual academic plans. The curriculum can include more advanced work within students' traditional classwork, such as extensive writing assignments and projects.

We created a robust STEM course for all students in Grades 2-8 that focuses on LEGO robotics (including FIRST LEGO League competitions) and hydroponics, where students grow and harvest a variety of herbs and vegetables. Two additional arts electives were added: Vocal Technique for Middle and High School students, and additional visual art classes for High School students – printmaking in fall and painting in spring. Both new arts classes can be taken in addition to regular enrollment in our standard drama, visual art, and music classes. High School students also have the opportunity to add a course through One Schoolhouse, an online program that allows them to take classes not offered at IDEAL, such as neuroscience, business and economics, psychology, or additional language courses. 

With a focus on cultivating curiosity, resilience, and leadership, By Design empowers students to push boundaries, pursue passions, and grow into confident, capable thinkers – by design. This program is designed and can be further adapted to benefit all learners.

In the Lower School, leadership is built into classroom projects and events. Students dive into topics they care about, like animal research in kindergarten or memoir writing in third grade, and share their work with others. Each class helps plan and lead a school assembly. During Community Time and in discussions of the Words of the Month, students talk about current events and social justice, building critical thinking and global awareness.

Arts events like the Peace and Light Ceremony and ArtBeat give students a chance to showcase their creativity. Fifth graders can also join Middle School APEX sports teams to develop their skills and apply teamwork concepts learned in Lower School. All students help create service projects that connect what they’re learning to real-world impact.

Service Learning

Lower School service learning focuses on building community awareness. As they grow, teachers guide them toward meaningful ways to give back. Class projects often connect to what students are learning. Past efforts have included food drives (and an annual November event led by first grade), book donations with student-made reviews for children in shelters, and delivering personal care packages to and elder care facility.

In Middle and High School, students build leadership skills by working together to support their community. They show leadership by collaborating, advocating for each other, and contributing to group projects. Programs like advisory and student-led Community Time help students build confidence and find their voice.

High Schoolers can take advanced courses, explore personal interests, or create independent studies with teachers. Events like the Peace and Light Ceremony, ArtBeat, and the Upper School play and musical give students a chance to create and showcase their work. Students also lead as team captains, club presidents, and student government representatives.

Advisory

At IDEAL, advisory is the heartbeat of student life in both Middle and Upper School, providing essential touchpoints for academic support, personal growth, and community connection. Each day begins and ends in small advisory groups where students are welcomed by trusted co-advisors who serve as their advocates and guides throughout the school year. These groups are intentionally small and grade-level based, fostering close relationships among peers and nurturing meaningful mentorship between students and teachers.

In Middle School, daily mid-day advisories are structured around weekly themes – Mindful Mondays, Tolerance Tuesdays, World Wide Wednesdays, Tech Thursdays, and Free Expression Fridays. These sessions explore a range of topics, including executive functioning, social justice, current events, and creative expression. Lessons are engaging, age-appropriate, and responsive to the world students live in, with topics such as digital safety, the war in Ukraine, and LGBTQ+ identity, as well as hands-on projects like designing a personal fashion portfolio.

In High School, advisory continues to anchor the student experience. High School advisory meets every morning for brief daily check-ins and each afternoon for a similar days-end wrap up. High School students also convene by advisory daily before lunch for a 30 minute block. Health, Life Skills, and Community Time activities run during advisory in this 30-minute block on a different day each week. 

Through intentional programming, strong adult relationships, and meaningful dialogue, IDEAL’s advisory program empowers students to grow as learners, leaders, and compassionate members of a diverse world.

Service Learning

Middle School service learning helps students look beyond themselves, connect with their community, and grow their empathy and sense of purpose. Each year, they take part in projects like Giving Tuesday, where they collected donations and packed care boxes for Hearts to Homes after learning about the organization and how it aligns with IDEAL’s values. Each grade focuses on a different issue such as housing, job placement, and mental health, then researches local organizations, and creates brochures and flyers to share with the community.

The High School Service Learning Program builds on what students learn in earlier years, with each grade-level advisory working on community service projects. Students choose organizations that matter to both the school and the wider community. High School students have committed to supporting two groups over the next few years: Hearts to Homes in partnership with Middle School, and NAMI, supporting teen mental health for their MLK Day of Service.

At IDEAL, leadership is a core value, and students are actively encouraged to take on leadership roles throughout their time at the school. Whether it’s standing up for a cause, supporting a friend, or advocating for broader change, students are empowered to make a difference. One of the key opportunities for leadership is through Student Council, a vibrant group of Middle and High School students who help shape school life and culture. In addition to the main committee, two subcommittees allow for participation on a smaller scale. The Student Council president and vice president meet bi-weekly with the Head of School to ensure the student body’s voice is heard, while the full council meets weekly with the Director of Diversity and Dean of Students to plan events and address concerns. From organizing High School dances and Pioneer Period assemblies to leading major events like the Lunar New Year and Latinx celebrations, Student Council plays a central role in school life. Notably, Student Council guides the direction of Black Heritage Month projects and its final assembly, partnering with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator to deliver presentations on Black culture in all High School advisories. 

The senior class takes a Civil Rights Journey to deepen students' understanding of what they’ve studied. For many, it’s their first trip away from home and a chance to practice independence – managing their own money, meals, and routines.

IDEAL partners with WorldStrides to ensure the trip is inclusive and accessible, with a dedicated tour guide for a personalized experience. Past trips have included visits to Birmingham, Montgomery, Atlanta, and Washington, DC, where students explored historic sites, colleges, museums, and even toured the Pentagon.

IDEAL’s social justice curriculum has been framed by Concepts of the Month since our school was founded in 2006. Each month, IDEAL students at all grade levels focus on the definition and various applications of key words. By engaging with these concepts at developmentally appropriate levels throughout their time at IDEAL, students acquire the tools to think critically and reflectively about social justice topics throughout history as well as those affecting our community and the world today.