90 YEARS OF EDUCATION

The Kew-Forest School in Forest Hills is celebrating 90 years of providing students with the tools necessary to be successful in the future.
Founded in 1918, “The mission of The Kew-Forest School is to provide an academically challenging college-preparatory education to a culturally diverse community in a structured, caring environment. Students are encouraged to achieve their individual potential and strive for personal integrity and respect for others.”
The school has about 300 students and kindergarten through 12th grade. School Head Dr. Peter Lewis said that next year the school is looking into adding a junior kindergarten class as well.
Lewis, who has been with the school about nine years, said that the school has a commitment to academic excellence.
“It's very much based on a strong academic tradition and also values they [staff, parents, alumni, students] really adhere to,” Lewis said. “It really does set up a culture of education in their lives that says education is important and something to be valued.”
Along with placing an emphasis on academics, there are also many other areas where the students are able to take advantage of opportunities. There is a music and arts program, physical education, community outreach activities, volunteer and service days, and conferences.
Dr. Christopher Spelman, who has taught Latin at The Kew-Forest School for about 20 years, said that the fact that the class sizes are small enables the students to develop close relationships. It also allows the teachers and students become close.
“I would like to see the school really continue to focus on giving an excellent education and really continue to give them the special relationship they get with each other and with the teachers,” Spelman said.
Ellen Honig, a trustee of the school, graduated from it in 1986. She has one child in sixth grade there and another who will be starting kindergarten.
“I think the school provides and incredible education,” said Honig, who also met her husband at the school. “You get an excellent foundation that can take you anywhere.”
Honig said that her fondest memories of the school are her teachers, many of whom are still at the school and she still speaks with. She said that they were always very accessible and would take the time to assistant students. Honig also said that her closest friends are ones from high school.
Senior Hisham Beydoun started at the school in first grade. He said that one of the biggest benefits of being at the school has been the amount of diversity it has exposed him to since there are students from all over the world.
“That's something that I feel really, really highlights Kew Forest,” said Beydoun, who was captain of the soccer team this year and participated in the model United Nations program. “It has made me very culturally sensitive [and] culturally aware.”
Beydoun also said that the relationships between the students themselves and the students and teachers has been beneficial. He said that the teachers are always there to help and really care about how the students are doing.
The Kew-Forest School officially celebrated its 90th anniversary in October. Lewis said that many people came out that day and that “it really got people in the celebratory feeling.”
“I feel a part of something remarkable,” Spelman said of seeing the school celebrate this milestone.
“This year there's so much school spirit compared to last year,” Beydoun said. “This year there's just this intensity and this energy flowing throughout the school.”
Lewis said the school wants to continue to build its programs and its financial aid program while also maintaining a closeness to the local community.
“I think we're a real gem of a school here in Queens and we have a lot to offer students,” Lewis said.
The Kew-Forest School is located at 119-17 Union Turnpike in Forest Hills. For more information, visit www.kewforest.org or call 718-268-4667.