Quest to Learn

Where Curiosity Meets Innovation

Preparing students to tackle tomorrow's challenges through creativity and real-world problem-solving.

Quest to Learn

Where Curiosity Meets Innovation

Preparing students to tackle tomorrow's challenges through creativity and real-world problem-solving.

Highlights Reel

94% College Acceptance

The Class of 2025 is ready for the next step—94% have earned acceptance into top-tier colleges, some with generous scholarships, marking the highest graduation rate in Quest’s history.

Civic Participation

Our students don’t just graduate—they are prepared to be active, thoughtful citizens. 80% of the class of 2025 earned the Seal of Civic Readiness, in addition to their NYS diploma.

Hands-on Learning

From internships to classroom learning experiences with NASA scientists, working artists, and local elected officials, students work side by side with professionals, earning recognition and awards for their innovative work.

Real-World Impact

This year, our students displayed their art at the High Line and the Manhattan Borough Arts Festival, earned the Open Mindedness at the NY Bar Association for their civics projects, created and ran the Quest School Store, designed  NBA Draft jacket worn by a celebrity—all experiences that connect their learning to the real world.

State-of-the-Art STEAM Lab

Thanks to our partnership with the NBA and Heart of America, our students now have access to a cutting-edge STEAM Lab to push the boundaries of performance-based learning and turn their ideas into reality.

State-of-the-Art STEAM Lab

Thanks to our partnership with the NBA and Heart of America, our students now have access to a cutting-edge STEAM Lab to push the boundaries of performance-based learning and turn their ideas into reality.

Principal’s Message

August, 2025

Dear Quest to Learn Families, Students, and Staff, 

Welcome to the 2025-26 school year! As we begin another year together, I’m filled with excitement for the journey we’re all about to take. At Quest to Learn, our mission is to “empower and engage all students by connecting rigorous learning through innovation to the increasing demands of the global society.” 

What does this mean for the 10 year old who first walks through our doors as a new Middle Schooler?  Or the 9th grader who has a picture of who she wants to become but doesn’t yet see the path to get there?

From the very first day they walk through our doors, we engage students in learning that encourages them to solve problems systematically, collaborate meaningfully, and build skills to feed their curiosity and interests.   By the time they leave us, they are not just prepared academically—they know how to get in the game and engage with the world around them with confidence and creativity.  At Quest to Learn, we are so much more than just a school. We are a community dedicated to helping each student grow into someone who can think independently, collaborate with others, and approach the world with a sense of purpose and possibility. 

Together, let’s make this year a memorable one—full of growth, creativity, and the joy of learning. 

In partnership,   
Marina Galazidis 

Principal, Quest to Learn

Learning by Doing

At Quest, we believe in learning through experience. We start with game-based learning in the younger grades, where students engage in creative, hands-on activities that make learning feel like an adventure.  As they grow, they move to performance-based learning, where they demonstrate their mastery by applying knowledge to real-world challenges. These methods don’t just teach content—they prepare students to think independently and collaborate with others, skills they will carry with them throughout their lives. 

Core Values

At the heart of everything we do are our Core Values, which guide our community and our learning. These values aren’t just ideas—they shape the way we treat one another, the way we approach our work, and the way we support each other’s growth. From respecting all things to experimenting with possibilities and getting in the game, our Core Values set the tone for a school environment where every student is seen, heard, and empowered. 

Social and Emotional Growth

We also place great importance on our students’ social and emotional development. It’s not just about learning math, science, or history; it’s about growing as people. Whether through our Home Base advisory program, our wide range of clubs and activities, or school traditions, we strive to create a community where students feel supported, respected, and confident in their abilities. We know that emotional intelligence is just as important as academic knowledge, and we are committed to helping students build resilience, empathy, and self-awareness along the way. 

Our Mission

We empower students to excel academically, socially, and emotionally through discovery, problem-solving, and dynamic education. At Quest, every student is a changemaker.

Goals for the
2025-26 School Year

As we continue on this journey, we have clear goals for this year—goals that will help us get even closer to our vision for the future of Quest to Learn. These goals will guide the way we teach, support students, and strengthen our community.

This year, we are focused on great instruction to ensure that every student, in every classroom, is receiving high-quality, consistent, and engaging lessons. We provide our teachers with the tools they need to refine their dynamic curriculum, and focus on what their students know, and develop their teaching practices, ensuring that all students have the support they need to thrive.

All students will continue to demonstrate their knowledge through performance-based learning assessments. These assessments are an integral part of every course, allowing students to show what they know through real-world challenges and projects such as producing a podcast for a memoir unit in ELA to researching and proposing a solution in front of NYC elected officials in Government, to testing water quality and designing a filtration system in Environmental Science, to designing a skate park in Pre-Calculus. This approach helps students apply what they’ve learned and prepares them for the world beyond school.

We will continue to grow our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), expanding this structure to support 8th and 9th graders and multilingual learners. By providing tailored interventions and additional support, we ensure that every student can reach their potential, no matter their starting point.

This year, we will continue to provide real-world learning opportunities through internships, partnerships, and field trips that connect classroom learning to students’ interests and future goals through our partnerships with Inspiring Minds, the High Line, Hudson Sailing, Google, and many more!  We will also focus on increasing student engagement by promoting strong attendance and positive incentives, ensuring that every student feels motivated and ready to learn.

Campus & Faculty

Modern Facilities

✦ Tech-equipped classrooms

✦ Collaborative spaces

Dedicated Faculty

✦ Personalized support for every learner

School Visit/Tour Request

✦ Discover our campus and see learning in action—schedule your visit today.

Quest to Learn Joint Open Houses for 6th & 9th Grade Prospective Families.
Join us for our upcoming Open Houses!
In-person
Wednesday, October 8th
5pm-6:30pm
In-person
Tuesday, October 28th
5pm-6:30pm
In-person
Thursday, November 13th
5pm-6:30pm
Virtual Open House
Tuesday, December 2nd
5pm-6:30pm
Please RSVP here via MySchools. When Family Welcome Letters are distributed through your child's current school, you will be able to make an account and then register for any of our Open Houses. For any questions and/or assistance, please email Rachelle at