Life at Dalton

After-School Programming

Activities & Clubs for Every Interest

Dalton features a variety of different after-school and extracurricular programs that give our students opportunities to explore interests, develop passions, and form connections with peers. Class offerings reflect opportunities to delve further into topics introduced through the school day’s curriculum or provide exposure to topics that are not offered during the school day.

Our programming is overseen by a dedicated and talented team of Dalton faculty and staff members. Financial assistance is available for all programs. Dalton's optional after-school program is run daily and open to Kindergarten through 6th grade students, with chess continuing through 8th grade.

After-school programming is run on a trimester basis with fall, winter, and spring sessions. Snacks are provided during all sessions.

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  • First Program

    First Program students can choose from a host of different after-school classes, including private music lessons, acrobatics, dance, painting, podcasting, sewing, digital animation, and more. Students can learn how to run their first business one day, and take an immersive class in Hindi the next! Many classes (including our popular STEAM/Robotics classes and Chess program) are run by Dalton faculty and are designed to build off of the concepts that students are learning during the regular school day. 

    Most after-school classes run until 4:30 PM each day, with additional after-school support available until 5:30 for families.

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  • Middle School

    In Middle School, after-school classes continue through 6th grade. Joining an after-school class requires no prior experience. This is a time to explore curiosities and interests. Students can select from courses including 3D design, culinary arts, music production, theater, journalism, and more. Classes run until 4:30 PM daily with additional supervised, after-school support available until 5:30 PM.

    Starting in 7th grade, students can choose to participate in a variety of other extracurricular opportunities, including representing Dalton as a member of our Robotics, Math, Debate, Model UN, or athletics teams. While our teams have historically been competitively successful, they are designed to give students the opportunity to try new things and explore; no prior experience is required, and all are welcome.

    Homework Haven, a daily after-school program run by Dalton faculty, provides students an opportunity to drop in for a Lab with a member of our Learning Support team, work collaboratively with their peers, or simply have a quiet, structured place to work.

    All Middle Schoolers, whether participating in after-school programming or extracurricular activities, have options that allow them to remain at school until 5:30 PM daily. Financial assistance is available for after-school classes. 

High School

Once in High School, students can join a wide range of extracurricular activities from athletic teams to clubs to mentoring programs. Many clubs and teams are student-driven, and any student can propose a new club.

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  • Athletics

    The High School athletics program offers a diverse interscholastic athletic program with strong student participation. Our teams have earned league titles, competed for state championships, and built impressive records. For a list of sports and to explore further, head to the Athletics page.

  • Clubs

    Student Government oversees a variety of student-run clubs, each focused on a specific purpose.

    With nearly 70 clubs offered, examples include:
    • Model UN, Model Congress, Mock Trial, Debate team, Dalton Political Action
    • Publications – examples include school newspaper, The Daltonian, and a literary magazine, Blue Flag 
    • Performing Arts 
    • Sports Analytics, Data Science 
    • Business and Entrepreneurship Club
    • Girls Chess Initiative
    • Women in Sports, Women in Business
    • Computer Science
    • Environmental Club
    • Affinity Groups – Women of Color, the Asian Cultures Club, Jewish Cultures Club, Spectrum, and HOLA (the Hispanic Organization for Latino Awareness)
    • Ceramics
    • Architecture

    Each club is led by up to three students and advised by a faculty member. New clubs are encouraged and must follow the procedures outlined in the “Formation of Clubs” section of the student handbook. 

  • Student Government

    Student Government comprises of elected High School students and a faculty member. The full legislature meets to engage in a wide variety of activities, including debating policy resolutions or procedural matters, discussing social issues, or hearing from guest speakers. The High School President and the Cabinet lead the sessions and orchestrate the government's operations.

  • Committee on Student Conduct (CSC)

    The Committee on Student Conduct (CSC) is the group that represents the community in responding to major school infractions. The CSC consists of six students (two 12th graders, two 11th graders, one 10th grader and one 9th grader, who are elected by their respective grades) and teachers (elected by the faculty), one of whom serves as the committee’s chair. 

  • Peer Leadership

    Peer Leaders are select 12th grade students who are trained to be facilitators of small ninth grade discussion groups and mentor the ninth graders through the transition to High School. The purpose of the Peer Leadership Program is to provide an opportunity for participating ninth and twelfth graders to share experiences and common concerns that emerge during a student's life in High School. Groups meet on a weekly basis beginning in late September. Membership is required for all ninth graders. 

  • Peer Mentor Program: PALS

    Students in 11th and 12th grade (and on occasion 10th grade students) work with Middle School students as Peer Mentors on a variety of developmentally specific topics and activities. These Peer Mentors will prepare to lead class and small group discussions at Dalton and at select independent and public Middle Schools on questions that students pose.

  • Peer Tutoring

    The Peer Tutoring Program offers seniors and select juniors the opportunity to support fellow students in their strongest academic areas. Peer Tutors work in close collaboration with teachers across divisions and work one-on-one with students, lead group discussions, or intern in a classroom. 

  • Drivers Education

    The Dalton Drivers Education program is a combined lecture and practical driving course in partnership with Autonautics International Driving School. Students participate in the lecture portion in person at a Dalton campus location, and for the practical driving portion, instructors from Autonautics pick students up from Dalton's First Program. 

    The program is open to all NYC High School students, age 16 and older.

    Registration for Summer 2025 is NOW OPEN!
    Summer 2025 sessions will begin on Monday, June 30, through Thursday, July 24. Classes take place every day from Monday through Thursday.

    Application process
    1) Complete the PDF application. Email pages 3 and 4 to daltondrivereducation@gmail.com. This email account goes directly to our partners at Autonautics to arrange the instructors, NOT to Dalton staff.
    2) Complete payment for Drivers Ed through the Dalton website via the Payment & Registration Site.

    Note: Participation in the program is not confirmed until both the application and payment have been received. 

    Autonautics Driving School Contact
    Phone: 718-745-4435
    Email: daltondrivereducation@gmail.com
    Website: Autonautics

    Dalton School Contact:
    Phone: 212-423-5441

Grades K-3

53 East 91st Street, New York, NY 10128

Grades 4-12

108 East 89th Street, New York, NY 10128

Physical Education Center

200 East 87th Street, New York, NY 10128

Contact Info

212-423-5200    |    info@dalton.org

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