Reaching for New Heights at Marymount School

The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art celebrated the launch today of our innovative middle school program, New Heights: Discovering Classical Architecture. A collaboration between the ICAA and the Marymount School of New York, New Heights strives to bring the ICAA’s mission of advancing the practice and appreciation of classical tradition in architecture, urbanism, and the allied arts to eighth grade students at Marymount.

Today’s launch, which was hosted at the Marymount School, commenced with an interactive game designed to familiarize participating students with key architectural terms. ICAA President, Peter Lyden, officially introduced New Heights to the students and discussed the origin and mission of the program. Architectural Historian and New Heights instructor, Francis Morrone, spoke about the program’s important role in preparing students for a potential career in architecture and helping them engage thoughtfully with their environment.

David Calligeros, ICAA New York Chapter President who was also in attendance at today’s launch, commented: “With this first step of New Heights we hope to plant the seeds of the next generation of top tier architects and designers and to ensure vibrant growth, as well as preservation, for our civic culture and physical landscape. The world dearly needs a diversity of voices, especially those from a classically trained perspective, in the debates on the future of our cities and rural landscapes.”

Working with New Heights instructors—including ICAA educators, architects, architectural historians, and specialists—students will engage in a dynamic study of classical architecture through meaningful observation, critical thinking, studio experience, and field study. The latter will take place across New York City and include trips to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, and the historic mansions of Fifth Avenue.

The program will familiarize students with the history of architecture, the role and responsibility of architects, and possible professional paths in a variety of architectural fields. Students will learn architectural vocabulary and build an understanding of composition and design. The program’s carefully planned and rigorous curriculum aims to inspire a new generation to become leaders of architectural preservation and urbanism. After a thorough review of the course at Marymount School, the ICAA plans to introduce a model based on the program, featuring lesson plans, for other schools nationally.

New Heights will begin on Monday, October 5, 2015 and culminate Monday, December 7, 2015. For further information about the program, please contact Edith Platten at [email protected] or 212 730 9646 (ext. 113).

Today’s launch was hosted at the Marymount School of New York.

The launch commenced with a matching game.

Students huddled in teams to match pictures of architectural elements with their definitions.

ICAA President, Peter Lyden, introduced New Heights to students.

New Heights instructor, Francis Morrone, spoke about the program’s important role in preparing students for a potential career in architecture and helping them engage thoughtfully with their environment.

Representatives from Marymount School and the ICAA attended today’s launch. From left to right: Jillian Pagliocca, Curriculum Coordinator at Marymount School; David Calligeros, ICAA New York Chapter President; Kim Field-Marvin, Director of Communications at Marymount School; Peter Lyden, ICAA President; Francis Morrone, Architectural Historian and New Heights Instructor; Edith Platten, ICAA Director of Education; Caroline Saudek, ICAA Director of Special Projects.