Where Leadership Begins
Since 1930, The Elisabeth Morrow School has shown exceptional dedication to educating children to be thinkers and leaders. Our founders, Elisabeth Morrow and Connie Chilton, were trailblazers who believed that young children deserved to have a rigorous education from the earliest ages. Today, with a 95-year legacy of inspiring young minds to embrace the joys of learning, we continue to be innovators in educating children through the entire arc of childhood.
EARLY Learning
Young minds are the most formative
Lower School
Active problem solvers, creative thinkers, and innovative learners
Middle School
Partners in guiding their own education
Summer Programs
Learning & enrichment options from June–August
Congratulations, Class of 2026!
High school shouldn’t be “one size fits all.” We connect students with the schools best designed to help them thrive, including some of the most selective day and boarding schools in the country. See where our eighth graders were accepted and where they’re heading after graduation.
Inquire about our openings for the 2026–2027 school year in select grades.
Much of our early learning program is at capacity, but we are accepting applications in select lower and middle school grades.
14 Acres of Learning & Growth Opportunities
Our child-centered and innovative academic programs take place across a 14-acre campus, a certified wildlife habitat that provides our students with indoor and outdoor learning spaces, including state-of-the-art technology labs, gymnasiums, maker spaces, science labs, and libraries, as well as an athletic field, nature trails, a brook, a pond, outdoor classroom patios, educational gardens, and playgrounds.
Program Spotlight: Differentiated Instruction
Every child learns differently, and our Little School teachers are experts at meeting students exactly where they are. From hands-on math explorations using manipulatives and Singapore Math strategies, to dynamic literacy stations grounded in the science of reading, our differentiated approach ensures every student is appropriately challenged and deeply engaged. See how this intentional instruction builds the confident, intellectually resilient learners who are ready to thrive in middle school and beyond.
Faculty Spotlight: Samantha Pianko
Meet Samantha Pianko, one of our third-grade teachers, who has been a dedicated member of the EMS community since 2015. She views teaching as a multigenerational calling and is deeply passionate about fostering a lasting legacy of empowerment for every child. By celebrating every “ah-ha” moment, Ms. Pianko creates a supportive space where students feel safe to take risks and continue to cultivate a lifelong love of learning. She believes that “one of the greatest gifts an educator can receive is knowing they made a difference in a child’s life.”
Alum Spotlight: Matthew Danforth
Matthew Danforth ’17 is a NYC-based actor and singer who earned his BFA in Musical Theater from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Most recently, he returned to the EMS stage to mentor students in this year’s middle school musical, “Beauty & The Beast.” He credits EMS with sparking his love for performance and shaping his identity as an artist. “This community pushed me to step out of my comfort zone — to help a new generation discover that same spark is the ultimate way to give back.”
Event Spotlight: Book Fair & Storytelling Festival
This annual tradition, hosted by the Parents Association, features author discussions, engaging workshops, and captivating musical storytelling sessions! This multi-day event takes place on Saturday, Nov. 7, Monday, Nov. 9, and Tuesday, Nov. 10. Prospective families are invited to kick off the festival from 1–2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, with an Admissions Open House and introductory presentation. Please reach out to our Admissions Team to reserve your spot!
The structure and environment at EMS fostered a deep sense of curiosity and a joyous process of learning that sparked a lifelong love of discovery.
Ken Chiang ’73