Our Students
Below, we are proud to highlight members of the senior class and the diverse paths they are forging. They arrive with different backgrounds, languages, interests, and goals — yet share a common spirit: curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to growth.
In our intimate environment, students are known as individuals. They discover their strengths, explore new possibilities, and form meaningful relationships with teachers who mentor them closely. Whether they are building portfolios in the arts, excelling in STEM, playing sports, engaging in service, or pursuing advanced academic pathways, our students push themselves — and one another — to rise.
As they move through their high-school journey, they learn to think critically, communicate confidently, and navigate the world with empathy. Their stories are grounded in hard work and shaped by opportunity. They set ambitious goals, step into leadership, and bring their full selves into the classroom and community.
Each senior is uniquely prepared for life beyond Saint George — college, career, and service — because they have been seen, supported, and encouraged along the way.
Below, we are proud to highlight a few members of the senior class and the diverse paths they are forging.
Select Student Spotlights
Isaiah, Class of 2026
Isaiah, a senior from Brooklyn, embodies the spirit of Saint George Academy — resilience, creativity, and ambition. In a small school environment where every student is known, Isaiah has thrived as a scholar and creative mind.
When he’s not studying or performing, Isaiah enjoys exploring the city with friends — often stopping at The Doughnut Pub in Union Square for his favorite bacon doughnut. “That one is really delicious,” he admits with a smile.
At Saint George, he discovered the value of community. “The retreats are unforgettable. You walk in not knowing everyone, and by the end you’ve built bonds that last,” he says. For Isaiah, this is the heart of the school: rigorous academics paired with experiences that create lasting connections.
A gifted pianist, Isaiah has performed at school concerts and, during one of Saint George’s annual travel trips to Europe, he stunned an audience in Portugal with an impromptu performance of Rachmaninoff’s Fantasia in C minor in a public mall — earning spontaneous applause from strangers who gathered to listen. He also pursues acting and stagecraft in conjunction with Grand Street Settlement, where he has taken on lead roles in productions like In the Heights and contributed to stagecraft and technical theater.
Beyond the arts, Isaiah has already completed Columbia University’s ACComPLISHED Program, a competitive initiative in health literacy and community leadership.
“What can I really do in a small school? A lot. You build close connections, the teachers push you to do more, and everyone wants you to succeed.”
Isaiah’s story reflects what makes Saint George Academy unique: a classical education rooted in rigor and tradition, enriched by the cultural crossroads of the East Village, and defined by the ambition of its students. Resilience forged. Excellence achieved.
Derek, Class of 2026
At the top of his class, with goals set even higher.
Derek has spent all four years at Saint George Academy, where he is recognized as one of the school’s top academic seniors. A longtime East Village resident, he and his mother value the closeness of both the neighborhood and the school. “In the East Village, everyone knows everyone. That’s what it feels like at Saint George, too,” Derek explains.
Always an exceptional student, Derek is also deeply self-directed. What Saint George gave him was the setting to grow beyond academics — to step out of his shell. Quiet and reserved as a freshman, he now carries himself with confidence, balancing serious study with active involvement in school life. His favorite tradition is the annual retreat to Split Rock in the Poconos — three days of hiking, sports, waterparks, and arcade nights that create friendships to last a lifetime.
He is also a vital part of the drama club’s stagecraft team, working behind the scenes to ensure productions run seamlessly. That blend of precision and responsibility mirrors the way Derek approaches academics and his future.
Beyond school, Derek took part in New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) — the nation’s largest youth employment initiative. Through SYEP, he interned with the Department of Social Services, assisting with homeless services. The program gave him more than work experience: it offered a vision of how civic responsibility, law, and public service intersect. “It showed me how I could use my education to serve others,” he reflects. That exposure reinforced his aspiration to become a lawyer, with interests ranging from negotiation and business law to criminal defense.
For Derek, the question is not only what kind of lawyer he will become, but what kind of person — a vision shaped by his faith and his values. Even in the movies he enjoys, like The Hunger Games and other dystopian stories, Derek is drawn to the same theme: how individuals can use integrity and courage to create a better future.
His favorite food? An everything bagel with sesame seeds, a classic New York staple that reflects his East Village roots.
Derek’s story reflects what makes Saint George Academy unique: a classical education that sharpens intellect, real-world experiences that shape ambition, and a culture of excellence that prepares students for the future. Resilience forged. Excellence achieved.
Julie, Class of 2026
Building her future, one idea at a time.
Born in Ukraine, Julie spent her first seven years there before moving to New York. Now living in Brooklyn with her parents, she has been part of Saint George Academy for all four years — following her sister, who also attended and now studies at Baruch College.
From a young age, Julie has been fascinated by design and construction. In sixth grade, a project on the Wonders of the World sparked her dream of becoming an architect. “I’ve always liked working with my hands and creating structures,” she says. “Even walking around the city, I find myself looking at buildings and critiquing them.”
At Saint George, she has explored her passions broadly — joining the Drama Club, the Yearbook, and the Heritage Club, where she enjoyed helping showcase students’ cultures. She also played on the school volleyball team, competed in a travel league, and still plays volleyball in the park with friends. One of her favorite memories is last year’s retreat: “Sharing a room with friends, the dance, even making slime together — it was all unforgettable.”
Academically, Julie gravitates toward history, especially the Medieval and Renaissance periods. That love of the subject is one reason she names Ms. Donovan as her favorite teacher: “She not only knows how to teach — she loves history, and you can feel that passion. It makes you want to love it too.”
Outside of school, Julie loves to read, often spending time at Barnes & Noble in Union Square. In Brooklyn, her favorite spot is Fugi, a sushi place she frequents with family. This past summer, she visited her grandparents in Ternopil, Ukraine, where she experienced air raid sirens and alerts firsthand. “It was sobering,” she reflects, “but it reminded me of how important resilience is.”
Her advice to new students: “If you want to be in a place where teachers know you, push you, and help you succeed, this is the right school. You’re never just another face in the crowd.”
Julie’s story reflects what makes Saint George Academy unique: a small, rigorous environment where students pursue their ambitions, discover their talents, and prepare to shape the world ahead. Resilience forged. Excellence achieved.