Celebrating D.A.'s Record-Breaking Class of 2029

This September, Dominican Academy opened its doors to the Class of 2029—70 young women whose energy and talent are already making a mark on 68th Street. As the largest grade in the school and one of the biggest classes admitted in recent years, they bring with them an exciting mix of schools, neighborhoods, and backgrounds. Together, they embody both the academic excellence and the rich diversity of experiences that make a D.A. education so distinctive.

“The Class of 2029 is bright and motivated, with some of the most talented students coming from middle schools all over New York City. They’re already showing that they are ready to embrace all that D.A. offers,” said Lauren Checo, director of admissions.

A Wide Range of Backgrounds

The Class of 2029 represents an extraordinary range of schools and neighborhoods. Students hail from 59 different middle schools, with 65% coming from Catholic schools and the rest from public, independent, charter, and parochial schools. Remarkably, 70% of the Class of 2029 are the only students from their middle schools—a powerful reflection of their courage to chart their own path and their eagerness to share unique skills, passions, and perspectives in shaping the collaborative community that Dominican Academy is well-known for.

Additional highlights of the class include:

• 8 students from out of state—nearly double the number from previous years.
• 5 students from Long Island, the largest showing to date.
• 3 sets of twins, underscoring the sense of family woven into this class.
• 32% of the class lives outside of Manhattan, a strong representation of New York’s other boroughs.

“These dynamic students reflect the extraordinary scope of people and places that have shaped them, and I know they will bring that richness into every aspect of life at D.A.,” said Dr. Leslie Petit, P ’14, P ’19, principal.

Students of Promise

This year’s class has also distinguished itself through academic achievement. Three students earned full-tuition scholarships, marking the largest number of scholarship recipients in a single incoming class to date.

Among them is Dominican Academy’s first WE Dream Scholarship recipient. Established by Emilia Fazzalari, P ’24, and her husband, Wyc Grousbeck, the WE Dream Fund was created to empower young women through education. Beginning with the Class of 2029, a new scholar will be welcomed each year, and once the program is fully underway, Dominican Academy will have a WE Dream Scholar in every grade.

Building Community from the Start

For many students, Dominican Academy becomes a second home. This commitment to community is intentional, beginning from students’ very first days. 

During their first week, each freshman met individually with a guidance counselor to begin building the support network that will carry them through their four years. This foundation is strengthened by traditions such as the Freshman/Senior Picnic in Central Park on Sept. 19th —where new students are paired with senior mentors—and the Freshman Retreat on Oct. 3rd, a day dedicated to reflection, balance, and strengthening bonds. 

On September 29th and 30th, D.A. will host a club fair, focusing on the many extracurricular opportunities available. With 30 clubs, ranging from the Student Prints Newspaper and Pre-Med Society, to Robotics and Coding, and countless other opportunities for growth, the Class of 2029 will quickly find their place.

Looking Ahead

The Class of 2029 has already established itself as a class of promise—diverse in background, strong in academic talent, and ready to embrace all that Dominican Academy offers.

Applications are now open for the Class of 2030, and registration is live for Open House events on Oct. 18 and Oct. 22, and school tours. Prospective families are invited to see firsthand the transformative education and community that make Dominican Academy unique.