From the Headmaster
August 2026
Dear Saint David ' s Community,
“ What you leave behind,” Pericles wrote in the 400s BCE,“ is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” The head of a high school I recently visited made note of a Saint David’ s alum, a student at his school, who led humbly by example. He was someone others were naturally drawn to and followed because of his quiet confidence and good nature. He wasn’ t captain of a sports team, prefect, or student government officer, or even president of a club. In fact, when I met with him, he spoke about his struggles adjusting to the myriad demands of high school. Little did he know that even through his struggling to find his place, the people around him were drawn to his natural leadership, his guidance, and optimism. This is what Saint David’ s means when it speaks of our anniversary year’ s school-wide theme:“ to excel.” It is to know where the good lies and pursue it throughout one’ s life, always pushing harder to be our best, striving for excellence, leading by example, and sharing its fruits with others.
During our 75th anniversary year we celebrated such a man in Tom Ryan. As a teacher and revered colleague, for 55 years Tom exemplified in his words and actions this year’ s theme, and inspired others to excel as well. The record attendance of some 700-plus at the Spring Gathering in honor of Tom’ s retirement in June, said it all.
In this issue of the Magazine, we pay tribute to this unique and special teacher. And we explore how Saint David’ s shapes its boys into introspective leaders of principle, passion, and purpose. Ali Aoyama and Pedro Morales examine how, throughout programs, we cultivate habits of ethical leadership. Drew Burton considers how our long-term partnership with New York Historical in Grades One through Three leverages critical inquiry, exploration of primary sources, and hands-on projects. Bradford Hardie notes the foundation of leadership formed when sixth graders meet the research and presentation challenges of the Digital Universe Field Study, and Meg Myette shares the inspiration and ideas for our performing arts program generated by her participation in a summer study grant.
The issue also features an update of our Teaching Boys Initiative accountability study and TBI’ s latest Wisdom Within blog, as well as reflections by Christopher Beha’ 94 and by Alumni Council Chair Erik Alfieri’ 09.
These pieces all demonstrate the school’ s ongoing commitment to shaping ethical young men willing to step up and lead in alignment with our enduring mission and values. In the end, it’ s not what any of them amass physically, but how they’ ve influenced, affected, and impacted the lives of others that Saint David’ s boys leave behind.
Ut viri boni sint. Enjoy the read,
P. David O ' Halloran
75 YEARS
U T V I R I B O N I S I N T
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 nine Catholic families, Saint David’ s has graduated more than 2,300 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