From the Headmaster
August 2025
Dear Saint David ' s Community,
“ This project is so impactful. He’ s been talking about it excitedly- nonstop- really bringing it home.” These were the words of a Saint David’ s mom speaking in reference to our third-grade partnership with New York Historical. It was this past spring and we were onsite at the museum. The boys had just presented a high-level synthesis of all they had learned about the Navajo people, westward expansion, and early 20th century immigration through their examination of this iconic New York institution’ s treasure trove of artifacts, primary source documents, and art over an extended period of time. After looking closely, asking questions, and deliberating over responses, the boys then produced and showcased original works to demonstrate the depth of their understanding. At the morning’ s culminating event in Dexter Hall, they proudly shared with their parents not only what they had learned and created, but the connections they had made across time and culture.
Our partnership( one of our many signature experiences) with New York Historical offers but one example of the deep values-based learning spotlighted in this issue of Saint David’ s Magazine. Feature articles examine the implementation and growth of our Teaching Boys Initiative™ professional development work, including our dynamic and intentional curriculum designed to appropriately challenge and inspire each boy, and the myriad benefits of the study of Latin. We also pay tribute to two exceptional members of our faculty and staff: Saybel Pipitone who retired in June and Mark Poelle who will be retiring in December; and we speak with Arthur J. Halleran Jr.,’ 61 upon his retirement from the Board of Trustees after 28 years of distinguished service.
Pictured above are members of the Class of 2021 at a homecoming we hosted in June prior to their beginning college. The strong values informed by the cardinal and theological virtues they take with them from their Saint David’ s days will continue to guide them in this new chapter of their lives. As one member of the Class, Ethan Klimczak, noted in a Chapel talk he gave to our seventh and eighth grade boys:“ I ask all of you to find small ways to choose others every day. That’ s how you continue the work Saint David’ s started with you.”
“ Choose others”— so profoundly simple a message we can all live by.
As we enter our 75th Anniversary year, we do so with much to celebrate: the school’ s unwavering commitment to delivering rich, engaging learning experiences for boys, our dedication to mission and, above all, our bedrock aspiration for all of our graduates … ut viri boni sint.
What an exciting time! Enjoy the read. I remain, Respectfully yours,
P. David O ' Halloran
Saint David’ s is an independent elementary school for boys of all faiths and backgrounds. Boys are admitted to Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Eight. Since its founding in 1951 by 9 Catholic families, Saint David’ s has graduated more than 2,200 students. They have gone on to the most competitive New York City secondary schools and regional boarding schools, and from there to ranking universities and colleges throughout the nation. The school is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, subscribing to its Principles of Good Practice for admission of students. Saint David’ s also belongs to the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York. The school’ s headmaster is Dr. P. David O’ Halloran.
Community and Inclusion
In addition to our rigorous academic program and in keeping with our founding faith’ s spiritual traditions, Saint David’ s is known for its sense of family, compassion, and kindness. Our community includes boys and faculty that reflect the cultural, ethnic, racial, socioeconomic, and religious diversity of New York City. At Saint David’ s, we believe that being curious without prejudice and without bias is essential to a well-informed, educated young man. Our boys develop cultural competency as they are taught to respect and embrace difference in all its myriad manifestations. Boys broaden their perspectives as they learn from diverse traditions, creeds, and ways of life— fundamental in fulfilling the aspiration of the Founders“ that they be good men.”
2 • Saint David’ s Magazine