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Poly Prep Country Day School (commonly known as Poly Prep) is an independent, co-educational day school with two campuses in Brooklyn, New York, United States. The Middle School (5th to 8th grades) and Upper School (9th to 12th grades) are located in the Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn, while the Lower School (nursery to 4th grade) is located in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood. Initially founded as part of the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute (predecessor of the NYU Tandon School of Engineering), Poly Prep now offers classes from nursery school through 12th grade.

Key Information

History

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Poly Prep was established 171 years ago in 1854 as the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute in Downtown Brooklyn. It was one of the first private boys' schools in the city of Brooklyn. The initial aim of the school was to offer an academic program similar to that of boarding schools of the time while striving to maintain a strong community feel among students and faculty alike.

After 45 years, the future of the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute was re-evaluated in 1889, when the preparatory school and the collegiate division were finally separated. In 1891, the construction of a new building next door to the school's original building provided a home for the college, which became known as the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. Both divisions still exist, although the collegiate division, after many changes of name, was eventually acquired by New York University (NYU) in 2008 and, as of 2014, is now known as the New York University Tandon School of Engineering.[1]

After its initial separation from the collegiate division, the Polytechnic Preparatory Institute remained an all-boys collegiate preparatory program at 99 Livingston Street and, by the mid-1890s, had already become one of the largest prep schools in the country, with over 600 students.

Going co-educational

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During the tenure of headmaster William M. Williams, the school began the transition to co-education in 1977 when it first admitted girls, graduating its first co-ed class in 1979.

Major primary school expansion

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In the 2006–2007 school year, a modern expansion was added onto the Park Slope building. In April 2009, Poly Prep's Lower School won the Lucy B. Moses Award from the New York Landmarks Conservancy as an outstanding example of historic preservation and renovation.

Child abuse claims

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The school was the subject of a federal lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn in 2009 centering on the sexual assault of students by Philip Foglietta, the head football coach from 1966 to 1991.

The allegations surfaced during Foglietta's first year at the school, during the tenure of Headmaster J. Folwell Scull, who was the head of Poly Prep from 1949 to 1970. They persisted during the tenure of William M. Williams, who was the headmaster from 1970 to 2000. Despite ongoing accusations of rape and molestation, no action was taken for 25 years, until Foglietta's contract was not renewed in 1991. However, even then, the school announced that Foglietta had decided to retire and made no mention of the abuse.

Alumni continued to press the matter, and eventually Williams's successor, David Harman, wrote to alumni in 2002 that the school had "recently [emphasis added] received credible allegations" of abuse—36 years after the first report of molestation.[2]

Two years later 12 victims filed suit in state court, but the suit was dismissed due to New York State's statute of limitations. However, U.S. District Court Judge Frederic Block subsequently ruled that portions of the suit could proceed in federal court. The suit was settled for $10 million in December 2012. On February 21, 2014, the school issued what the Wall Street Journal called "a sweeping apology" for the abuse and the school's failure over the decades to respond appropriately when victims revealed their abuse.[3] Headmaster Harman and the chairman of the board of trustees, Scott Smith, subsequently resigned. A permanent memorial to the victims of the abuse was placed in a prominent location of the campus.

Institution

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Divisions

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Poly Prep consists of three divisions, beginning with the Lower School located at 50 Prospect Park West in Brooklyn.[4] Lower School education commences with the nursery school program, which consists of early childhood learning up until the pre-kindergarten level, and continues on through fourth grade. The middle school program begins at grade 5, at which point Poly students enroll at Poly Prep's Middle and Upper School campus located at 9216 Seventh Avenue in Brooklyn,[4] where they continue their education through 8th grade and then into high school.

Athletics

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The tennis courts at Poly

Interscholastic Leagues

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Poly Prep is part of the Ivy Preparatory School League, a division of the greater New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS), which comprises all the private schools in the state. The school has a number of award-winning programs, most notably football, basketball, and baseball. Hockey was introduced in 2010.[citation needed]

Athletic teams

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Fall teams Winter teams Spring teams
Boys' soccer Girls' basketball Softball
Girls' soccer Boys' basketball Baseball
Cross country Girls' swimming Girls' lacrosse
Girls' tennis Boys' swimming Boys' lacrosse
Girls' volleyball Boys' squash Golf
Football Girls' squash Ultimate frisbee
Wrestling Outdoor track and field
Hockey Boys' tennis
Indoor track and field Crew

Headmasters of the Country Day School

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In the 108 years since the opening of the Dyker Heights campus in 1917, Poly has had six headmasters (currently known as Head of School): Joseph Dana Allen (1917–1949), J. Folwell Scull (1949–1970), William M. Williams (1970–2000), David Harman (2000–2016), Audrius Barzdukas (2016–2023), John Rankin - interim (2023-2025), and Noni Thomas López (2025 - TBD)

Notable alumni and attendees

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Notable faculty

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  • William Cary Duncan (1874–1945), American playwright who taught English and public speaking at Poly Prep (then known as Brooklyn Polytechnic Preparatory School) from 1897 through 1917.[21]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Poly Prep

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Poly Prep Country Day School is an independent, co-educational, college-preparatory day school in , New York, serving approximately 1,100 students from nursery through across two campuses. Founded in 1854 as the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute—the first school for boys in the City of —at 99 Livingston Street in , it evolved into a modern institution emphasizing rigorous academics, , and athletics. The school maintains a 1:7 teacher-to-student ratio and a tuition of about $68,000, fostering high achievement with students earning top SAT and ACT scores among New York private schools. Poly Prep's athletic programs have secured numerous championships, including in wrestling, basketball, baseball, softball, and track & field through the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) and Ivy League competitions. Despite these accomplishments, Poly Prep has faced significant scrutiny over decades of alleged by staff, most notably football coach Philip Foglietta, who is accused of molesting dozens of male students from the to the while administrators ignored complaints. The institution has settled multiple lawsuits, faced court sanctions for evidence withholding, and continues to litigate claims as of 2024, with appellate courts upholding liability findings against the school. Additional allegations involve other educators, such as teacher Robert Rusch, accused of abusing female students.

History

Founding and early development (1854–1900s)

Poly Prep Country Day School traces its origins to 1854, when it was established as the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute, the first independent school for boys in the City of . Located at 99 Livingston Street in , the institution offered a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum alongside technical education, reflecting the era's emphasis on classical studies and emerging scientific disciplines. Founded amid 's rapid urbanization and industrial growth, it aimed to prepare young men for higher education and professional careers, drawing initial enrollment from local families seeking alternatives to public schooling. During its early decades, the school expanded steadily, emphasizing a structured program that included Latin, Greek, mathematics, and practical sciences tied to the affiliated polytechnic institute's engineering focus. By the mid-1890s, enrollment exceeded 600 students, attracting pupils from across due to its reputation for and preparation for elite colleges such as Harvard and Yale. The institution operated as an integrated entity with both preparatory and collegiate divisions, fostering a culture of intellectual rigor and character development suited to the sons of Brooklyn's burgeoning merchant and professional class. A pivotal development occurred in 1891, when the collegiate division separated from the preparatory program to form the independent Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in a newly constructed adjacent building, allowing each to specialize—the former in advanced and the latter in . The preparatory school was subsequently renamed the Polytechnic Preparatory Institute, maintaining its all-boys enrollment and focus on foundational academics while benefiting from the separation's administrative clarity. This restructuring enabled targeted growth in facilities and curriculum, setting the stage for further evolution into the . In the early , the school began addressing space constraints and the need for extracurricular facilities by acquiring land in 1905 between Ocean Parkway and Gravesend Avenue for athletic fields, accessible via the Culver Line Elevated railway. This move underscored an emerging commitment to and holistic student development, complementing its academic core amid Brooklyn's continued expansion. Enrollment and programmatic stability during this period solidified its status as a leading preparatory institution.

Growth as an all-boys institution (1900s–1960s)

In 1905, under Headmaster Dr. Francis Lane, the school acquired land between Ocean Parkway and Gravesend Avenue for athletic fields, supporting expanded physical education and leadership development programs. By 1916, seeking greater space amid Brooklyn's urbanization, trustees purchased a 25-acre parcel in Dyker Heights, previously the Dyker Meadow Golf Course, and incorporated the institution as Polytechnic Preparatory Country Day School on July 1. This marked its full separation from the affiliated Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, establishing it as an independent all-boys country day school emphasizing rigorous academics alongside character formation. Construction proceeded amid ongoing classes when 350 students relocated to the Dyker Heights campus on September 18, 1917, initiating a phase of infrastructural and programmatic expansion suited to a suburban setting. Dr. Joseph Dana Allen assumed leadership as headmaster from 1917 to 1948, the longest tenure in the school's history, during which the institution solidified its reputation for preparing boys for colleges through a balanced of sciences, , and athletics. The campus's scale enabled additions like playing fields and laboratories, fostering enrollment stability and institutional maturation as an all-boys enclave amid New York's preparatory schools. Under J. Folwell Scull, headmaster from 1949 to 1970, the school continued its all-boys focus, prioritizing scholarship and moral development, as evidenced by the enduring Joseph Dana Allen Award for academic excellence and character. Facility enhancements culminated in the 1969 completion of the Joseph Dana Allen Library, central to the Dyker Heights campus and enhancing resources for middle and upper school students. Throughout the period, Poly Prep maintained its commitment to boys-only education, avoiding coeducational trends until the following decade, while cultivating a tradition of in , , and .

Transition to co-education and physical expansions (1970s–1990s)

Under the leadership of Headmaster William M. Williams, Poly Prep initiated discussions on transitioning from an all-boys institution to co-education in , prompted by the broader women's rights movement and the passage of in 1972, which prohibited sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs. A Curriculum Committee report evaluated the potential benefits and challenges, with the Board of Trustees and school heads concluding in May 1973 that while not an immediate priority, the shift warranted ongoing consideration. Faculty deliberations in December 1974 revealed divided opinions, with half favoring co-education and half calling for further study, while surveys indicated majority support among alumni (392 of 636), faculty (27 of 49), and parents (124 of 246). The decision to admit female students was finalized in 1975, with an announcement distributed via a flier titled "An Historic Announcement." The first junior girls enrolled in September 1977, marking the practical start of co-education at the upper school level. This phased approach allowed for gradual integration, culminating in the graduation of Poly Prep's inaugural co-educational class in 1979, which included female students such as Beth Bonina. Physical expansions during this era focused on accommodating growth in enrollment and program diversification. In the mid-1970s, the school pursued enhancements to support younger grades, aligning with strategic goals to extend offerings from nursery through higher levels, though specific building projects remained limited until later in the period. The most significant development occurred in 1995, when Poly Prep acquired the historic Woodward Park School site—known locally as "The Mansion"—on Prospect Park West in Park Slope, establishing a dedicated second campus for the Lower School serving nursery through grade 4. This acquisition, formalized in 1995 and operationalized by 1997, dramatically expanded the school's footprint and capacity, enabling separation of lower and upper divisions across Brooklyn campuses.

Modern institutional changes and leadership shifts (2000s–present)

David Harman served as Head of School from 2000 to 2016, succeeding William M. Williams and overseeing continued growth in enrollment and facilities following the co-educational transition. Under Harman's , the school maintained its focus on academic rigor while navigating early challenges, including the implementation of standardized testing alignments and extracurricular expansions. Institutional stability characterized this period, with minimal structural overhauls reported, though preparatory steps for enhanced administrative roles laid groundwork for later reforms. Audrius Barzdukas assumed the role of Head of School in 2016 as the 10th leader since the school's founding, bringing prior experience from international institutions. Barzdukas introduced the modern dean around 2017, shifting from grade-level deans to a broader structure incorporating and college counseling to address student support needs amid growing enrollment. This era saw policy evolutions, including relaxed dress codes from formal requirements to more flexible guidelines, expanded bus services to outer boroughs and to boost socioeconomic diversity, and heightened emphasis on inclusion initiatives, such as diversity programming and a 2022 DEIB climate survey that faced parental backlash and subsequent retraction due to concerns over its scope and implications. The dean experienced significant turnover, with multiple departures leaving only one original member by 2024. Barzdukas departed in June 2023 after seven years, transitioning to an advisory role amid a nationwide search for a successor. John Rankin, a longtime faculty member since 1985 and former Academic Dean, served as the first interim Head of School from 2023 to 2025, ensuring continuity during the transition. In January 2024, the Board of Trustees announced Dr. Noni Thomas López as the 12th Head of School, effective July 1, 2025; she is the first woman and of color in the role, with prior experience as Head at the Gordon School in . López's appointment reflects ongoing commitments to transformative education and inclusivity, though specific policy shifts under her tenure remain nascent as of late 2025. Recent years have also seen retirements of veteran staff, including several with over 30 years of service, signaling generational turnover in faculty leadership.

Academic Programs

School divisions and enrollment structure

Poly Prep Country Day School structures its enrollment into three distinct divisions: the Lower School, , and Upper School, spanning from Nursery (age 3) through grade 12. The Lower School accommodates students from Nursery through fourth grade at its campus, a landmark building situated near Prospect Park, emphasizing foundational skills in a nurturing environment. The serves fifth through eighth grades, bridging elementary and with a focus on academic transition and extracurricular engagement. The Upper School covers ninth through twelfth grades at the Dyker Heights campus, preparing students for college through rigorous coursework and advisory support. Both the and Upper Schools operate from the school's 25-acre Dyker Heights facility. The overall enrollment totals 1,162 students for the 2024–2025 academic year, reflecting a co-educational model with no boarding options. Primary admission occurs in Nursery, with approximately 30 new students enrolled annually in this entry point; additional entries are available in , , and , while grades 10 through 12 are non-entry years with admissions limited to attrition. The student-teacher ratio stands at 8:1, supporting individualized instruction across divisions. This divisional structure allows for age-appropriate programming while maintaining institutional cohesion under unified leadership.

Curriculum standards and pedagogical approach

Poly Prep Country Day School maintains a college-preparatory across its Lower, Middle, and Upper School divisions, independent of public education standards such as , with a focus on fostering , problem-solving, and interdisciplinary connections tailored to developmental stages. The pedagogical approach prioritizes nurturing students' innate curiosity through collaborative teacher planning and engaging, hands-on lessons that integrate core academics with arts, , and world languages, aiming to develop resilient, empathetic thinkers capable of real-world application. In the Lower School (Nursery through Grade 4), instruction emphasizes a whole-child derived from diversity of experiences to generate intellectual and moral excellence, with core subjects in , (recently incorporating elements), , and supplemented by specialties like , dance, music, Spanish, , and . Teaching methods encourage inquisitiveness and empathy via problem-solving challenges, without formal grades in early years to support discovery-based learning. In the Middle School (Grades 5–8), the curriculum builds intellectual, emotional, and physical growth through core disciplines including computer science, English, history, mathematics, science, and world languages or classics, alongside electives in performing arts, visual arts, health, and physical education. Pedagogically, it promotes risk-taking, ethical leadership, and connections between classroom content and global events, with no grades assigned in Grade 5 to prioritize executive function skills and broad exploration; faculty support habits of mind for purposeful analysis, reading, writing, and quantification. The Upper School (Grades 9–12) requires 22 academic credits for graduation—1.0 for full-year courses and 0.5 for semesters—encompassing departments such as English, history, interdisciplinary studies, mathematics, science, world languages, and computer science, with personalized advising for electives and independent studies. Since the 2022–23 academic year, the school has discontinued College Board Advanced Placement courses in favor of in-house advanced curricula aligned with faculty expertise and institutional priorities, culminating in a mandatory Senior Plan capstone involving independent research, writing, and public presentation. This approach integrates diverse perspectives and social justice themes to challenge assumptions and prepare students as innovators, though it reflects the school's self-described commitment to anti-racism without external validation of pedagogical efficacy.

Academic performance metrics and college outcomes

Poly Prep upper school students demonstrate competitive academic performance on standardized tests amid the test-optional policies adopted by many colleges. For the Class of 2024, the average SAT composite superscore for recorded submissions was 1364, while the ACT composite superscore averaged 31. Earlier classes reported slightly higher averages, such as 1381 SAT and 32 ACT for submitters from the Class of 2020. The school's reported unweighted GPA for grades 9-11 averages 3.54 for the Class of 2025, with the highest at 4.18 and nine students above 4.0 out of 140. Poly Prep phased out courses after the 2021-22 school year, replacing them with an internal advanced curriculum that does not culminate in external exams. All graduates proceed to four-year colleges. For the Classes of 2021-2025, graduates matriculated to 126 institutions, with common destinations including (24 total), (21), (20), (20), and University of Wisconsin-Madison (20). Selective university placements over these classes include (14), (14), (9), (8), (8), and (8), alongside smaller numbers to Harvard (3), Stanford (2), and MIT (2). A substantial portion of seniors pursue binding early options, with 81% of the Class of 2025 applying via or Restricted Early Action, yielding admission rates exceeding 50% in those rounds and 79% of seniors securing at least one offer by mid-year. The Class of 2025, comprising 139 students, dispersed to 64 colleges, while the Class of 2024 (138 students) attended 75.

Facilities and Campuses

Dyker Heights campus and historical sites

The Dyker Heights campus, located at 1 Poly Prep Drive in , New York, serves as the primary site for the school's middle and upper school divisions, encompassing grades 5 through 12. Spanning 25 acres in the Dyker Heights neighborhood, the verdant, college-like grounds feature athletic fields, academic buildings, and views of the , providing an expansive environment distinct from the urban density of earlier school locations. The campus has operated continuously since its establishment in , marking a significant relocation from the original site to accommodate growth in enrollment and facilities for an all-boys institution at the time. This move reflected the school's adaptation to suburban expansion in , with initial construction focused on core academic and dormitory structures to support boarding students. Key historical elements on the campus include the main academic building and its prominent , visible from 92nd Street and Seventh Avenue, which anchor the site's early 20th-century architecture. The , constructed around 1922 beneath the clock tower, served early religious and communal functions, while the back fields—documented in 1919 photographs—originally supported outdoor activities amid undeveloped surroundings that later urbanized. These structures embody the campus's evolution from a semi-rural outpost to a modern educational hub, with student-led historical accounts tracing infrastructural changes, such as field expansions and building additions, tied to enrollment surges post-World War I. No designated landmarks beyond the campus core are formally tied to Poly Prep in Dyker Heights, though the site's longevity underscores its role in preserving institutional continuity amid Brooklyn's demographic shifts.

Infrastructure expansions and modern amenities

Poly Prep Country Day School has undertaken significant infrastructure expansions on its 25-acre Dyker Heights campus, including the construction of the Poly Arts Center, which broke ground in October 2022 and added 10,000 square feet of space for rehearsal, exhibition, and teaching in music, , drama, and . This facility links the north and south campuses, incorporating new studios with mirrored walls and acoustic sound systems, as well as practice rooms adjacent to the existing theater. The center welcomed students for classes in February 2024, enhancing the school's programming. In athletics, the Novogratz Center for Athletics opened in 2016 as the first new building on the Dyker Heights campus in nearly two decades, spanning 27,900 square feet with flexible multipurpose spaces for training and events. The school maintains two fitness centers, including the High Performance Lab equipped for strength and conditioning, alongside redeveloped outdoor fields through the Take the Field partnership, featuring NCAA-regulation surfaces for soccer, , football, track, and / on an 11-acre site. Additional amenities include six courts, world-class squash courts, three heated swimming pools, and two indoor gyms, supporting interscholastic and recreational activities. Recent acquisitions support further growth, such as the purchase of 53 Prospect Park West in in January 2024, expanding infrastructure beyond the main campus. Ongoing renovations, managed by firms like Titan Construction Management since 2016, continue to modernize facilities, including a new glass-clad stair tower and landscaped playground at the Lower School. These developments align with the school's master plan to accommodate its enrollment and programmatic needs while preserving historical elements.

Athletics and Extracurriculars

Interscholastic leagues and team offerings

Poly Prep Country Day School's upper school interscholastic teams compete primarily in the , a conference comprising independent preparatory schools in the area, with opportunities to advance to New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) championships. The program emphasizes competitive play at varsity, junior varsity, and freshman levels across multiple sports, fostering skill development and team discipline. Teams are organized by season, offering opportunities for both boys and girls in a range of traditional and specialized sports: Fall Sports:
  • Boys: Cross country, football, soccer
  • Girls: Cross country, soccer, ,
Winter Sports: Spring Sports:
  • Boys: Baseball, golf, lacrosse, tennis, outdoor track and field
  • Girls: Lacrosse, softball, outdoor track and field
Select coed or modified offerings, such as hockey and ultimate frisbee, supplement the core lineup, with participation varying by year and enrollment. The athletics department supports over 70 NYSAIS championships historically, reflecting sustained league dominance in sports like baseball and softball.

Athletic achievements and traditions

Poly Prep's athletic programs compete in the , of which the school is a founding member, and have amassed over 275 league championships alongside more than 70 New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) titles. Since 2017, 31 student-athletes have earned All-American recognition across various sports. Football holds a prominent place in the school's traditions, with the varsity team capturing the 2022 Metropolitan Independent Football League championship after defeating in the Ivy Prep League finals, finishing the season 9-3. The program sustains longstanding rivalries, including annual games against Collegiate School, characterized by consistently elite competition that has seen the teams alternate as New York City's top performers in recent years. Another historic matchup is with St. Paul's School, regarded as the second-oldest interscholastic football rivalry in the United States. In basketball, the boys' varsity team completed an undefeated season en route to the Ivy Prep League title and the New York State Federation Class B championship. The girls' varsity squad has also claimed Ivy Prep honors, contributing to the sport's status as a cornerstone of school athletics. Baseball under coach Harlow Parker, hired in 1947 and later promoted to director of athletics, secured 19 Ivy League Prep School championships. More recently, the varsity baseball team won the 2023 NYSAIS title. Softball achieved an undefeated Ivy Prep League campaign in the same period. Wrestling programs have produced undefeated Ivy Prep seasons and the 2023 NYSAIS championship. Track and field successes include NYSAIS indoor titles for both boys' and girls' teams in 2024, with the boys also taking the 2023 outdoor crown. Girls' volleyball earned state championship status in 2023 by defeating Avenues at Fieldston. The girls' tennis team holds 10 Ivy Prep League titles. These accomplishments underscore a culture emphasizing competitive excellence and character development through sports.

Scandals and reforms in athletic programs

In the late through 1991, Poly Prep's football program was marred by serial perpetrated by Philip Foglietta, who targeted numerous male student-athletes, primarily in locker rooms, showers, and off-campus settings. Foglietta, who also served as and teacher, abused boys as young as 10, with allegations surfacing in lawsuits claiming the school administration received complaints as early as 1966 but failed to act, prioritizing the program's reputation over student safety. A 2009 federal lawsuit by multiple accused Poly Prep of a decades-long , estimating dozens to hundreds of victims; it settled confidentially in December 2012 after discovery revealed internal knowledge of the abuse. Additional abuse claims extended to other athletic staff, including coach William Martire, sued in 2019 under New York's Child Victims Act for allegedly assaulting a student in the 1980s during team activities. Non-sexual misconduct scandals included a 2017 incident where coaches were dismissed after over a dozen varsity players were caught consuming alcohol during a team trip to Disney World, highlighting supervisory lapses. In November 2021, varsity football head coach Kevin Fountaine was fired for fostering a "toxic culture" that made players uncomfortable, as determined by an internal investigation prompted by complaints about his . Following the Foglietta revelations and settlements, Poly Prep implemented reforms to athletic oversight, including a 2014 public apology from then-headmaster David Levin acknowledging the "horrible misconduct" and expressing regret for institutional failures. Under headmaster Audrius Barzdukas, appointed in 2016, the school introduced mandatory harm-prevention curricula and staff trainings focused on recognizing and reporting , aimed at rebuilding trust in athletic programs. These measures, alongside ongoing lawsuits under extended statutes of limitations, reflect efforts to address cultural issues, though critics argue early cover-ups eroded program integrity for generations.

Leadership and Administration

Historical heads of school

Poly Prep Country Day School traces its leadership to its origins as Adelphi Academy in 1854, evolving into the Polytechnic Preparatory Country Day School in 1916 under the guidance of early headmasters who emphasized a balanced of academics, , and athletics. Dr. Francis Lane, serving in the early 1900s, played a pivotal role in advocating for the country day model, securing land for athletic fields in 1905 and overseeing the school's incorporation on July 1, 1916, on a 25-acre former site, with classes commencing in 1917. Subsequent leadership included Folwell Scull, who headed the school from 1949 to 1970, followed by William M. Williams, who served from 1970 to 2000 and oversaw the transition to coeducation in the mid-1970s, with the first coed graduating class in 1979. Williams enforced a formal and focused on building a diverse student body reflective of broader society. David B. Harman succeeded Williams, leading from approximately 2000 to 2016 over 16 years, during which the school navigated growth amid emerging scrutiny over past athletic program issues. Audrius Barzdukas then served as head of school for seven years, from around 2016 to the end of the 2022-2023 school year, introducing structural changes such as a revamped dean system for student support modeled after and expansions to the bus system to enhance socioeconomic diversity. Following Barzdukas's departure, John Rankin, a long-time faculty member since 1985, acted as interim head of school for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 academic years, prioritizing community cohesion during the transition to the subsequent permanent head. These leaders collectively advanced Poly Prep's development from a boys' preparatory to a coeducational serving nursery through grade 12 across two campuses.
Head of SchoolTenureKey Developments
Dr. Francis LaneEarly 1900s–1916Incorporation as country day school; campus establishment.
Folwell Scull1949–1970Pre-coeducation stability.
William M. Williams1970–2000Coeducation transition (1977); first coed class (1979).
David B. Harmanca. 2000–2016Institutional growth amid accountability challenges.
Audrius Barzdukasca. 2016–2023Dean system overhaul; diversity initiatives.
John Rankin (interim)2023–2025Transitional leadership.

Current governance and recent appointments

Poly Prep Country Day School is governed by a Board of Trustees, which oversees strategic direction, financial stewardship, and policy implementation, while day-to-day operations are managed by the Head of School in collaboration with division heads for the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. The board's officers include Chair Laurie T. Rosenblatt (parent of graduates from classes of 2023 and 2026), Vice Chair Jennifer Powers (parent of 2026 and 2028), Treasurer Kareem Raymond (parent of 2031 and 2033), and Secretary John D. (specific surname not detailed in public listings). Dr. Noni Thomas López serves as the current Head of School, the 12th in the institution's history and the first woman and first person of color in the role; she assumed the position on July 1, 2025, following an announcement by the board on January 24, 2024, after a search process initiated amid prior leadership transitions. Prior to Poly Prep, López led the Gordon School in , where she announced her departure at the end of the 2024-2025 academic year to take this role. Recent appointments include Olivia Baumgartner as Chief Advancement Officer, effective July 2, 2025, bringing 15 years of experience in educational philanthropy from roles including at Harbor Day School, where she significantly increased fundraising. Monique Lopez was appointed Chief Financial and Operations Officer, starting July 1, 2025, with nearly 20 years in nonprofit finance. These hires align with the new Head of School's arrival and follow the board's prior chairmanship under Andrew Foote, who held the position through at least early 2024 before the transition to Rosenblatt.

Notable Individuals

Prominent alumni achievements

(class of 2003) played basketball at Poly Prep during his junior year, averaging 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocks per game, contributing to two league titles. He later starred at the , winning the 2006 NCAA championship and earning All-American honors before being drafted ninth overall by the in 2007. In the NBA, Noah became a two-time (2013, 2014), won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2014, and helped the Bulls reach the Eastern Conference Finals in 2015. Dan Fogler (class of 1994) is an actor and comedian who won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical in 2005 for his role in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. His film credits include voicing Kuzco in The Emperor's New Groove (2000 video game) and roles in Fantastic Beasts films, while television appearances feature The Walking Dead and The Goldbergs. Liz Feldman (class of 1995) is a television writer and producer known for creating the Netflix series Dead to Me (2019–2022), which received multiple Emmy nominations including Outstanding Comedy Series, and No Good Deed (2024). She has also written for shows like 2 Broke Girls and One Big Happy, earning recognition for her work in comedy and drama. Angela Yee (class of 1993) rose to prominence as co-host of The Breakfast Club radio show from 2010 to 2022, interviewing high-profile figures in hip-hop and culture, and later launched Way Up with Angela Yee on iHeartRadio and syndication in 2023. She authored Read This First (2022), a wellness guide, and expanded into television with her own SiriusXM channel. Bruce Cutler graduated from Poly Prep, where he captained the football team and wrestled. As a defense attorney, he represented John Gotti in three trials during the 1980s and 1990s, gaining notoriety for aggressive courtroom tactics, and later defended clients in high-profile cases including the Gambino crime family associates. Cutler served as a Brooklyn Assistant District Attorney before entering private practice. , an actress and singer who attended Poly Prep, appeared in recurring roles on , Friends, and Code Black, and starred in films like (2006) remake. She began performing in high school plays at the school and pursued musical theater training afterward.

Influential faculty contributions

William Cary Duncan, who taught English and public speaking at Poly Prep (then Brooklyn Polytechnic Preparatory School) from 1897 to 1917, integrated dramatic arts into language instruction, drawing from his career as a to emphasize oratory and performance skills among students. José Oliveras, a World Languages teacher, has advanced interdisciplinary by founding Teatro Círculo and directing productions that blend with theater, earning multiple Association of Independent Theaters (ATI) awards, including Best Classical Production, Best Director, and for works such as El burlador de Sevilla in 2019 and portrayals of historical figures like in 2015. His efforts extend to co-coordinating international exchange programs, such as the Argentina trip focused on cultural immersion through and language, fostering global competencies in students. Michal Hershkovitz, Assistant Head of School for Academics, has driven reforms to prioritize robust intellectual discourse and resilience in learning, implementing updates that encourage open exchange of ideas amid evolving educational challenges like AI integration since 2022. Faculty under her guidance have pursued in adaptive teaching strategies, contributing to Poly Prep's emphasis on and ethical technology use in classrooms. Juliet Moretti, Director of Student Support, contributed to educational innovation by securing a National AI Innovation Fellowship from in 2025, applying insights to enhance support services and faculty training on AI tools for personalized student outcomes.

Controversies

Philip Foglietta abuse allegations and timeline

Foglietta served as head football coach, teacher, and coach for and at Poly Prep Country Day School from 1966 to 1991. During this period, he faced allegations of sexually abusing numerous students, primarily football players, through acts including , molestation, and occurring in locations such as school showers, the gymnasium, squash courts, his apartment, and off-campus sites. Plaintiffs estimated the number of victims at dozens to hundreds, with abuse spanning the entirety of his tenure. 1966–1991: Alleged Abuse Period
Foglietta was hired in 1966, and allegations claim the abuse began that year, with an early report from a student of molestation that school administrators allegedly ignored. The misconduct reportedly continued openly for 25 years, enabled by Foglietta's revered status for building a successful football program, during which complaints from parents and students were dismissed or not investigated by headmasters and staff to avoid disrupting team achievements. Foglietta retired in 1991 amid honors from the school, which later claimed in legal defenses to have first become aware of rumors that year, a assertion contradicted by findings and victim testimonies citing earlier ignored warnings. 1998: Foglietta's Death
Foglietta died in 1998, precluding criminal charges, though no formal police investigation had occurred during his lifetime despite persistent rumors. Early 2000s–2009: Initial Legal Actions
Public allegations emerged in the early 2000s, leading to a 2004 lawsuit dismissed on New York's ; a 2005 by victim John Paggioli met the same fate. On October 27, 2009, seven former students filed a federal (RICO) lawsuit in , expanded to 12 plaintiffs including James Zimmerman and Culhane, accusing Foglietta of abusing "dozens, if not hundreds" over four decades and the school of systematic cover-up by successive headmasters who prioritized athletic success and tuition revenue. 2012: Settlement
The 2009 suit settled confidentially in December without admission of liability by Poly Prep, though the agreement included a three-year on details; the school had faced sanctions for mishandling an internal investigation, including lost notes. Subsequent reporting highlighted ongoing victim trauma and institutional failures, with no criminal accountability due to expired statutes and Foglietta's death.

Additional abuse claims against staff

In November 2019, a former student identifying as John Doe filed a lawsuit in Brooklyn Supreme Court alleging sexual abuse by John Miller, a longtime Latin teacher and Episcopal priest at Poly Prep Country Day School during the mid-1970s. The plaintiff claimed that Miller, while serving as his teacher, forcibly kissed him, pressed against his genitals, and licked his tears after shoving him against a wall; additionally, Miller allegedly invited the student to his Park Avenue apartment and the Yale Club, where he attempted oral sex. Miller, who died prior to the lawsuit, was not criminally charged during his tenure, and Poly Prep did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the allegations. On the same date, another former student from the class of 1976, also identifying as John Doe, sued the school alleging abuse by an unnamed deceased Episcopal priest who taught Bible studies in the early 1970s. The suit detailed incidents during Bible study sessions where the priest allegedly kissed, groped, and rubbed the 15-year-old plaintiff, later inviting him to a Manhattan apartment under the pretense of spiritual guidance and attempting oral sex. The plaintiff, a former high school football player, attributed long-term psychological effects including anxiety and suicidal ideation to the abuse, enabled by the school's alleged failure to supervise staff; the lawsuit invoked New York's Child Victims Act, which temporarily extended the statute of limitations for such claims. In December 2019, a female former student identifying as Jane Roe filed suit under the Child Victims Act against tennis coach William Martire, alleging repeated sexual assaults from the late 1980s to early 1990s when she was aged 14 to 16. The complaint specified that Martire groped her on and off campus and compelled her to perform over two years, contributing to over two decades of required . At the time of filing, Martire remained employed by Poly Prep, prompting legal obligations for the school to report to authorities, though neither the school nor Martire responded to comment requests. These cases, distinct from prior allegations centered on football coach Foglietta, highlighted patterns of institutional negligence in multiple departments, with no public settlements reported as of the filings. In 2009, former students filed a federal lawsuit against Poly Prep Country Day School in the for the Eastern District of New York, alleging under the RICO statute for the institution's alleged of by football coach Philip Foglietta spanning from 1966 to 1991. The suit claimed administrators received multiple complaints about Foglietta but failed to act, allowing the abuse to continue. During discovery, U.S. District Judge Cheryl L. Pollak sanctioned the school, its board of trustees, former headmaster William M. Williams, and then-headmaster David B. Harman in an 80-page ruling for in handling evidence, including the withholding or destruction of notes from an internal investigation and anonymous letters detailing Foglietta's misconduct. The judge ordered the defendants to pay the plaintiffs' reasonable attorney's fees and costs but rejected claims of intentional or due to insufficient proof. The case settled in December 2012 with 12 plaintiffs—10 former students and 2 former day campers—for an undisclosed amount, with no admission of liability by the school. Poly Prep's headmaster David B. Harman stated the settlement aimed to provide closure and reaffirmed the school's commitment to safeguarding measures, though specific reforms were not detailed publicly. The New York Child Victims Act of 2019 revived the , leading to additional suits, including Christopher Forbes's 2020 negligence claim against the school for Foglietta's , which progressed through appeals as of 2023. Other cases, such as Rubin v. Poly Prep in 2024, alleged institutional in failing to protect students from staff . At least one plaintiff reached a $9 million settlement with Poly Prep in , prompting a subsequent federal suit against insurers Chubb for coverage refusal, with a ruling in 2025 that the insurers owed the amount. Aggregate settlement figures remain undisclosed across cases. Institutional accountability has centered on civil resolutions rather than admissions of or criminal probes, with critics from attorneys highlighting persistent patterns despite settlements. The school has not publicly detailed comprehensive internal reforms beyond general safeguarding pledges, and no trustees or administrators faced personal criminal liability. Post-scandal, Poly Prep maintained operational continuity without evident leadership overhauls tied directly to accountability.

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