List of 1 members.

  • Photo of Shazia Durrani

    Shazia Durrani 

    Director of Middle School
      Middle School Office:
      (914) 366-2618

List of 1 members.

  • Photo of Damon Hall

    Damon Hall 

    Assistant Director of Middle School

List of 11 news stories.

  • Jen Hubert Swan, Library Department Chair

    Hackley Perspectives: How Books Can Reignite Our Imaginations

    By Jen Hubert Swan, Library Department Chair
    In this month’s blog post on Hackley Perspectives, Library Department Chair Jen Hubert Swan shares her concerns about the health of our imaginations, and how books can help. “Once we realize our imaginations have been withered by social media, is it too late to resurrect our inventiveness? As a librarian who has witnessed and experienced the creative power of reading, I’m here to tell you that it’s never too late,” she writes. “Ironically, as social media has exploded, so has publishing. According to some sources, there are between 500,000 and one million new titles traditionally published each year. ... But with so many options, how do we choose? Dear reader, I thought you’d never ask.” Read the post here.
  • Melissa Tranchida P ’34, ’36, ’37, Computer Science Department Chair

    Hackley Perspectives: Code as Canvas

    By Melissa Tranchida, Computer Science Department Chair
    In this month’s blog post on Hackley Perspectives, Computer Science Department Chair Melissa Tranchida reflects on the artistry of computer science. “Artists exist in many capacities within the field of Computer Science,” she writes. “Whether students are digitally editing images, showcasing interactive games, exploring connections between code and graphical elements, or making decisions about a gradient within the user experience of their mobile application. In every one of these projects, the students are artists in their own right, using code as their canvas. Hackley students epitomize the joy of learning, and the art of coding is one they enroll in without checking off a graduation credit.” Read the post here.
  • Hackley's Ethics Bowl team: Rohan Krishna ’26, Charlie Napach ’27, Peter King ’26, Ben Iaderosa ’26, Sarah Rotenberg ’26, Macey McLane ’26 and Hailey Won ’25

    Middle and Upper School Debaters Have Strong Showings Across Recent Competitions

    Hackley’s Middle and Upper School debate teams have been busy! In February, seven Upper Schoolers represented Hackley at the National High School Ethics Bowl and 10 debaters competed in the fourth and final event of the 2024-25 HSPDP regular season. And on March 8, 27 members of Hackley’s MS debate team competed at a tournament hosted by the Fieldston School.
    Read More
  • Sue Harmon P ’13, ’16, Lower School teacher

    Hackley Perspectives: The Power of Kindness

    By Sue Harmon, Lower School teacher
    In this month’s blog post on Hackley Perspectives, Lower School teacher Sue Harmon reflects on the power of kindness. “As an educator, I have been able to weave kindness throughout the curriculum and our everyday lessons and activities. The students quickly learn to embrace a classroom where kindness, respect, and friendship are the cornerstone and expectation.” Read the post here.
  • Members of the Middle School debate team at Dalton on Jan. 25.

    Middle and Upper School Debate Teams Compete in January Tournaments

    On Jan. 25, Hackleys Middle School debate team attended a tournament at Dalton, while the Upper School team competed at Applied Tech in New Jersey for the third regular-season event of the High School Public Debate Program.
    Read More
  • Computer Science Students Host Inaugural Hack-a-thon in New Center

    By Meredith Lee ’25
    Computer Science student Phoebe Dungca ’25 — with a group of her peers and Computer Science teachers — spearheaded Hackley’s first-ever hackathon, Hack Squared, on Jan. 11 in the Center for the Creative Arts and Technology.
    Read More
  • Josh Samuel, Assistant Director of the Lower School

    Hackley Perspectives: The Parent-Teacher Partnership – A Shared Support System

    By Josh Samuel, Assistant Director of the Lower School
    In this month’s blog post on Hackley Perspectives, Assistant Director of the Lower School Josh Samuel shares his thoughts on the importance of the parent-teacher relationship. “At Hackley, we believe in working with parents. Parents and teachers may not always agree on every approach, but when we assume positive intent — especially during the toughest of conversations — and come to the table with open hearts and minds, the partnership is stronger for it.” Read the post here.
  • Middle School debate team

    Hackley Debate Teams Shine in December Middle and High School Tournaments

    On Dec. 14, Hackley’s Middle and Upper School debate teams showcased their skills in two year-end events.
    Read More
  • Ten Students Awarded Russ Hogg Grant for Creative Expression

    This year, 10 students have been awarded a Russ Hogg Grant for Creative Expression. Congratulations to Aran Basu ’25, Vivek Malik ’25, Jasper Quattrone ’25, Isaac Ahn ’26, Zion Bennett ’26, Rohan Krishna ’26, Mason Lee ’26, Cara Minello ’26, Elleana Derby ’28 and Ali B. ’29!
    Read More
  • Director of Academic Affairs Basil Kolani

    Hackley Perspectives: Beyond the Prompt

    By Basil Kolani, Director of Academic Affairs
    In this month’s blog post on Hackley Perspectives, Director of Academic Affairs Basil Kolani reflects on how Hackley School is embracing Generative AI. “As generally happens with the adoption of disruptive technologies, we began with initial threats to the ‘right’ way to do things; slowly saw how, under the right circumstances, there were useful ways to use the new tool; and now have at least made GenAI use a part of the student experience. Now that we’re here, we have some room for growth.” Read the post here.
  • Middle School Debate Team

    Hackley's Fall Debate Wrap-Up

    It was a busy fall for Hackley’s Debate program, with an opening Middle School tournament at the Nightingale School in Manhattan and multiple Upper School events, including the opening HSPDP tournament at Dwight School and two other NYPDL tournaments at Hunter College High School and Rye Country Day School.
    Read More
Welcome to Hackley

Welcome to Middle School


Congratulations, and welcome to Hackley's Middle School!

The Hackley Middle School is a warm and welcoming community where teachers care about supporting their students academically, socially, and emotionally. It's a place where students build friendships, explore interests, and take safe risks. During their time in Middle School, students become invested in making strong connections and creating a vibrant and inclusive school community rooted in the value of varying perspectives and deep traditions.

Being a part of Hackley's Middle School means having endless opportunities to learn and grow, surrounded by supportive peers, teachers, and administrators. In Middle School, students learn that their actions matter and they learn to use their voice and resources to truly make a difference in the world around them. They also learn about the importance of what it means to collaborate with and support one another, whether they are working together on a project, on an athletic field, or in a school play. 

I speak for my colleagues and our current Middle School students when I say that we look forward to getting to know you and welcoming you to the Hackley hilltop. 

We hope you will join us on campus for one of our Visiting Days and our Middle School New Hornets' Night. Please visit our Middle School Curriculum page for more information about our academic program. Please fill out this form if you would like a phone call or email from anyone in the Hackley community. 

If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to email me at sdurrani@hackleyschool.org or call me at 914-366-2616.

Congratulations again! We hope to see you in the Middle School next fall!
 
All the best,
Shazia Durrani
Middle School Director

Middle School Welcome Events

**Important Information: Please Read!** 

Join us in the Middle School for our New Hornets' Night! 
Please join Shazia Durrani, Director of Middle School, and, Charles Franklin, Head of School, for an introduction to the Hackley School curriculum and community. You will also have the opportunity to meet our Middle School faculty and current Hackley parents and students.

Join us for a Hackley School Visit day!
  • Visit Days
    • Tuesday, February 18th
    • Wednesday, February 19th
    • Thursday, February 20th
    • Friday, February 21st
    • Monday, February 24th
    • Tuesday, February 25th
    • Wednesday, February 26th
    • Thursday, February 27th
  • RSVP to admissions@hackleyschool.org with the date of your choice.
Students should be dropped off by 7:50 am.
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