Bright Futures

Crowden alums can be found all over the world, with careers in fields ranging from business to medicine, academia to the arts.

Our graduates attend the most prestigious public and private high schools and colleges, usually their first choice of school. Throughout the eighth grade year, the High School Advisor and Head of School work with families to help students through the high school application process.

Recent high school acceptances include: Albany High School, Athenian School, Bentley School, Berkeley High School, Branson, College Preparatory School, Head Royce School, Idylwild Arts Academy, International High School, Jewish Community High School of the Bay, Lick-Wilmerding, Marin Academy, Maybeck High School, San Domenico School, Ruth Asawa School of the Arts

David Lance Goines poster

Portrait of a Crowden Graduate

When they leave Crowden to enter ninth grade, our graduates:

Communicate thoughtfully and with empathy

Nurture deep relationships into enduring friendships

Confidently advocate for themselves

Grow as critical thinkers and creative problem solvers

Remain curious learners for life

Appreciate the joy of accomplishing something great

Crowden Alumni Speak

Click thumbnails to read testimonials

“Crowden is how I learned to think.”

“I was a very shy kid until I got to Crowden and I was able to find, whether it was in faculty or it was in friends, community that I could connect with, and grow into who I am today.” -- Emma Eyestone, College Junior, Class of '18

Emma Eyestone

College student, UC Davis

Class of '18

“Crowden expected a lot from me, and still does expect a lot from all the students. And that shepherded me to a high level of confidence and expectations for myself, which then have granted me countless opportunities throughout the years after graduating Crowden.” -- Nadav Skloot, Software Engineer, Class of '14

Nadav Skloot

Software Engineer

Class of '14

“Crowden gave me the opportunity to push myself, take a little more risk, and have the ultimate spiritual fulfillment [playing music] at the end of the day to remind me of the bigger picture and remind me of what really matters. That’s how learning music at an early age influenced my career.” --Jonah Van Bourg, Investment Banker, Class of '99

Jonah Van Bourg

Investment Banker

Class of '99

“Another thing that was huge for me at Crowden was how many new ideas were shown to me. And new types of music. New types of art. I think from an early age, I was conditioned to approach new ideas, not with suspicion, but with curiosity and with an open mind. And that kind of approach to education—really mentoring a young person, making sure that they're developing in a direct and a positive direction—has been such a huge impact on how I think about education, now that I'm a teacher.” --Jay Campbell, Cellist, Class of '03

Jay Campbell

Cellist

Class of '03

“Crowden is how I learned to think.” --Theo Haber, Composer, Class of '13

Theo Haber

Composer

Class of '13

“Learning and playing the cello at Crowden, and playing music, is definitely a part of my life now. I couldn't live without it. And it's a big part of what makes me, me.” --Zander Lee, HS Senior, Class of '20

Zander Lee

College student, University of Chicago

Class of '20

“Crowden is a great place – it’s magical, formative, and foundational. Everyone I know who went through Crowden is doing wonderful things, even if they aren’t doing music as their main career. Crowden opens your mind and lets you develop in a way that I think is only possible when you have the music alongside the strong academics.” -- Chief Operating Officer, Class of '97

Anjanie Bonet

Chief Operating Officer
Class of '97

“Crowden’s focus on music makes it a very unique experience, and without that, I would have had a much different middle school experience. Attending Crowden was one of the most important parts of my life. From playing chamber music with people or the connections I made in the classroom, I would strongly recommend Crowden to any family. No matter what, you’ll have an amazing experience here.” --Mitchell Liu, College Student at Johns Hopkins University, Class of 2020

Mitchell Liu

College student, Johns Hopkins University
Class of 2020

“There are so many ways Crowden has shaped my life. I love playing music, but beyond that, learning how to connect with people in both the music and academic spheres, and being able to learn and teach alongside my classmates has really stuck with me throughout my time at Crowden and beyond to this day.” -- Grant Konkel, Analyst, Class of 2015 

Grant Konkel

Analyst
Class of '15 

“If I was asked to give advice to prospective Crowden School families... First, I’d congratulate the family on considering Crowden. They're on the right path! Then, I’d tell them my honest perspective. Crowden has a way of taking ordinary kids and making extraordinary people that no other school does. Everyone who graduates from Crowden takes a fierce determination and a rare humility into the world. I’ve found no other school where each graduating student can play a three-octave scale, juggle, and recite at least 100 lines of poetry. Amazing people have the potential to do amazing things wherever they go, but at Crowden, you have a guarantee that they will.” -- Ari Goldberg, UC Berkeley Student Researcher, Class of 2020

Ari Goldberg

College student, UC Berkeley
Class of '20

"I have always known that Crowden is special, but only this past summer did I learn just how special. I went to a summer program consisting of the first 6 weeks of classes as an undergrad music major, and I had already had experience in every single class. Every single one of the core classes came more easily to me than to others because of how well Crowden has prepared me." --Ansel Klucsor, HS Student, Class of 2020

Ansel Klucsor

College student, Lamont School of Music

Class of '20

“Not only did I acquire valuable life skills to help me in both of my careers, but I also forged lifelong friendships through the bond created when playing chamber music.” -- Cary Koh, Crowden Advisory Board, Class of '86

Cary Koh

Senior Financial Advisor
Class of '86

“I'm grateful to Crowden's dedicated and passionate teachers. They inspired a dream in me, and gave me the skills to achieve it.” -- Noah Bendix-Balgey, Co-Concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic, Class of '97

Noah Bendix-Balgley

Co-Concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic

Class of '97

The Crowden School is growing!» Announcing Kindergarten starting Fall 2025
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