Expanding Horizons: Upper School Concentrations in Action
BWL's Academic Concentrations empower Upper School students to chart their own academic journeys through focused, immersive pathways that prepare them for both college and the professional world. Each concentration is built around three core components: coursework, experiential opportunities, and independent research, allowing students to pursue their interests with depth, intention, and real-world application.
This year, two new opportunities for Juniors and Seniors exemplify how concentrations open doors to meaningful, institution-based learning beyond the classroom.
BWL–Parrish Art Museum Fellowship
Several Upper School students have been selected for the inaugural BWL–Parrish Art Museum Fellowship, an experience aligned with the Visual Arts and History Concentrations. Students applied through BWL and were selected based on their academic preparation, artistic interests, and connection to their concentration studies. Participants will travel to the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill, New York, where they will receive a guided tour from a museum professional and select a single artwork to serve as the focus of their Fellowship Project.
Students may complete the project as either a creative work accompanied by written analysis or as a written art-historical review, allowing them to integrate both creative and research-based inquiry. Completed projects will be featured in the Spring issue of Range magazine. Throughout the Fellowship, students will meet twice monthly with Mr. Canter, and one student will serve as Fellowship Curator, shaping the shared theme and contributing to the publication’s vision under the guidance of Ms. Merva.
This Fellowship exemplifies the experiential and research components of a concentration, offering students the opportunity to build portfolios, strengthen their independent scholarship, and engage deeply with a major cultural institution. Eligible students include those currently enrolled in or who have previously completed AP Art History or advanced visual arts coursework.
Museum of the City of New York Research Program
Three BWL Upper School students have also been accepted into the Museum of the City of New York’s research program through a BWL-facilitated application process. This opportunity connects directly to students’ work in the History, Writing, and Constructive Dialogue Concentrations, allowing them to conduct original research inspired by the museum’s exhibitions and archives.
Participants will gain behind-the-scenes access to the museum, collaborate with curators and staff, and work with primary sources that explore the diverse history of New York City. Their research may even inform future exhibits or educational programming, giving students the rare opportunity to see their academic work translated into public scholarship.
Students will begin with an introductory visit to the museum to meet the research team, explore available resources, and develop guiding research questions that will shape their work throughout the program.
Concentrations That Lead Somewhere
Together, these opportunities highlight how Academic Concentrations at BWL move learning beyond coursework and into authentic, real-world contexts. By combining rigorous classes with experiential learning and independent research, students develop expertise, confidence, and a strong sense of purpose in their academic pursuits. These experiences not only enrich students’ concentration work but also help them articulate their interests and achievements to colleges and future employers. We look forward to sharing the work our students produce and continuing to expand the possibilities available through BWL’s Academic Concentrations program.
More About Academic Concentrations at BWL
Students who complete an Academic Concentration earn a designation affixed to their diploma, signaling sustained engagement, depth of study, and accomplishment in a particular field. Each student’s concentration work is documented through a detailed Concentration Profile, which outlines coursework, experiential learning, and culminating research or projects. These profiles are shared with colleges as an attachment to the counselor recommendation, providing valuable context about a student’s academic focus and achievements.
BWL offers concentrations in Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Environmental Studies, Robotics, Constructive Dialogue, Neuroscience, Medicine or STEM, Writing, Entrepreneurship, and History. Together, these pathways reflect BWL’s commitment to personalized, rigorous, and experiential learning that helps students pursue their passions while preparing for college and beyond.