The Hewitt School
Oppidan Education launched its partnership with The Hewitt School in December 2025.
Founded in 1920 by Caroline D. Hewitt, The Hewitt School is a pin-up for K-12 girls education on the Upper East Side of New York City, just a stone’s throw from Central Park. It’s led by Dr Jennifer Zaccara, and we’ve been proud to partner with Head of Middle School, Dr Paula Cuello.
Piloting an initial day with the full 8th Grade in December 2025, Oppidan’s team of 4 mentors ran an opening assembly for context on the day, kicking off a packed schedule of 1:1 25-minute sessions for every student involved.
Oppidan’s ‘Character 1:1s’ include original content and discussions around a student’s values, role models, passions, strengths and weaknesses, before setting SMART goals to hold themselves to account in the days and weeks that follow. Students have the chance to be introspective with an impartial other, engaging with practical ways to focus on their personal development and approach to school life.
For our work with Hewitt, this day signalled the start of a partnership that will now creep down into the 7th Grade in Spring 2026. As middle schoolers progress towards the high school phase and its increased rigour and pressures, we want the girls to be thinking about who they are, their place in their class, and how they can look to the future. Every student received a 400-600 word written report with tangible feedback and practical takeaways to develop in triangulation with their parents and in-school advisors.
Hewitt and Oppidan are now developing a more consolidated approach to extend their journey of 1:1 days with Oppidan mentors.
“Dr Cuello was one of the first kind educators to spend time with me when we started Oppidan’s work in New York, and I was impressed by the school and its focus on character from Day 1. As a school that really knows itself and has time to personalise education for its girls, it’s been a very obvious place to see our impact play out in a K-12 environment. It’s not about placement, or exit strategy for these girls, but about how we set ourselves up to make a success of being a teenager. There’s both self and service in the focus of this mentoring.”
