Extended Interview with a Founding Teacher of A-School, Tony Arenella

The Full Interview Conducted by Film Director Lesley Topping for Our Film, From the First Schoolhouse: A Scarsdale Story

Tony Arenella is one of the original founding teachers of the Scarsdale Alternative School (A- School, or SAS), a unique community-based alternative school within Scarsdale High School. In this extended interview, Tony discusses the groundbreaking ideas that shaped the school in the seventies and continue to contribute to its success today.

About the A-School

Tony on the steps of the Scarsdale A-School, 1977 Scarsdale High School Yearbook

Founded in 1972, the A-School is known for its progressive, student-centered approach to education. With small classes and an emphasis on collaboration, discussion, and critical thinking, the school fosters curiosity, independence, and a strong sense of community.

About Tony Arenella

Tony Arenella was one of the founders of the Scarsdale Alternative School. He received a bachelor’s from Columbia College and a Master’s in Education from Harvard University, and started at Scarsdale Schools teaching English in 1969. In 1985, he succeeded Judy Codding as the director of the A-School, serving in that role until he retired in 2003.

Beginning with only sixty-two students, three full-time teachers, and several part-time teachers, the early team developed the groundbreaking philosophies and structures that still shape the A-School today. Tony’s dedication kept the school grounded in Lawrence Kohlberg’s principles of the “Just Community,” and also helped sustain the school during challenging financial times.

Interview with Tony Arenella

Extended bonus content with Tony from: From the First Schoolhouse: A Scarsdale Story, a documentary on the history of the Scarsdale schools.

Now Streaming: ScarsTales

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of ScarsTales, uncovering the untold, unexpected, and occasionally scandalous stories behind Scarsdale’s past—bringing new dimension to familiar places and moments.

We hope you’ll subscribe, rate, and review to help these stories reach more listeners.

TUNE IN

In the premiere episode of ScarsTales, host Lori Rothman is joined by fellow Scarsdale Historical Society trustees and village historians Jordan Copeland and Leslie Chang to introduce the podcast and share two of their favorite local history discoveries.

Join Us for the Scarsdale Bowl Dinner, Where We’ll Be Honored

We are proud to have been named this year's Scarsdale Foundation Bowl Committee's Spotlight Award winner.  This award is a result of the hard work of our Board members and your continuing support. The Spotlight Award recognizes meaningful contributions in a specific area or a problem solved after focused effort. 

Bowl committee delivers the news: Rear L to R: Penny Bauersfeld, May Cowan, Warren Haber, Deidre Michael, Tim Foley, Shivi Bansal, Jordan Copeland Front L to R: Randy Guggenheimer, Lori Rothman Kaplan, Dana Matsushita, Deborah Skolnik, Christine Weston, Seema Jaggi, Leslie Chang

The Co-Chair of the Scarsdale Bowl Committee, Pam Fuehrer said:

"At a time when the importance of connections and community cannot be overstated, the Scarsdale Historical Society has brought our shared past to light, creating cohesion and pride in our remarkable village. Their work allows us, as neighbors, to explore Scarsdale's rich history and local stories through a multi-faceted and innovative journey. This dedicated all-volunteer organization continues to provide and ensure a sense of place.  It is a truly deserving recipient of the Spotlight Award.”

We invite everyone in Scarsdale to help celebrate the Foundation’s honorees at the Bowl Dinner on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026. The Scarsdale Foundation promotes and celebrates volunteerism and also administers grants and scholarships, provides need-based college scholarships for sophomores, juniors and seniors and recognizes extraordinary volunteers who work toward the betterment of the community. Watch for details at: https://www.scarsdalefoundation.org.

Coming Soon: ScarsTales

We’re thrilled to announce that the Scarsdale Historical Society is launching ScarsTales, a brand-new podcast that brings the village’s history to life in an entirely new way. Through smart storytelling, lively conversation, and even a few behind-the-scenes laughs, we’ll be uncovering the untold, unexpected, and sometimes surprising stories that shaped Scarsdale.

Hosted by journalist and Society trustee Lori Rothman, ScarsTales will feature engaging conversations with our two Village Historians, Jordan Copeland and Leslie Chang, as well as other special guests.

be the first to Hear it

Members will be the first to hear ScarsTales, with early access ahead of the public launch. Become a member here.

School History Documentary Screening Recap – The Film Is Now Online

The Scarsdale community really knows how to “show up.” Around 200 alumni, neighbors and friends came together for a rare opportunity to celebrate our public school district on Wednesday night at the high school auditorium. As conveyed in our new film From the First Schoolhouse: A Scarsdale Story, this community-minded spirit is what has helped the Scarsdale Schools thrive. 

Left to right: William Klayer ‘73, Tony Arenella, Ruth Friendly, Scarsdale Historical Society President Randy Guggenheimer, filmmaker Lesley Topping and trustees Lori Rothman, Deidre Michael, Leslie Chang.

From a beloved centenarian educator, to a founder of the Scarsdale Alternative School, to an original Alternative School alum, we had true Scarsdale Schools legends in the high school auditorium. They are featured participants in the documentary, and here’s more background on them:

Ruth Friendly

Ruth taught at Greenacres, Heathcote, and Edgewood from the 1960s through the early 1980s. After teaching, she joined her husband Fred, the former president of CBS News and the Edward R. Murrow Professor Emeritus at Columbia University, to produce programming for the Media and Society Seminars, later known as the Fred Friendly Seminars. The programs aired nationally on PBS and explored major issues of our time. In the 2000s Ruth served for eight years on the New York State Commission of Nomination for the Court of Appeals.

Tony Arenella and William Klayer

Tony Arenella was one of the founders of the Scarsdale Alternative School (A-School), which was planned in 1970. Tony taught English, and then became the director of the A-School in 1981 until he retired in 2003. Beginning with only sixty-two students, three full-time teachers, and several part-time teachers, the early team developed the groundbreaking philosophies and structures that still shape the A-School today.

William Klayer was one of the first students to graduate from the A-School in 1973, and went on to build a distinguished career in television and film as a director and photographer. His extensive credits include 30 Rock, Suits, Law & Order, and the award-winning short film Under a Stone.

We are so grateful to the filmmaker Lesley Topping for creating this film. Through her documentaries, she skillfully preserves Scarsdale’s most important stories—and they’re all available here.

Lesley Topping

Lesley, a Scarsdale Schools alum, is the editor and director of the film. Her credits also include many short videos, feature films and television documentaries for CBS, A&E and the Cousteau Society.

Thank you to Scarsdale Public Library for the partnership and for co-sponsoring the event. Don’t miss their new exhibit on the Scarsdale Public Schools, created by the library’s Local History Librarian Dan Glauber. It’s on display in the Local History Center of the library, or online here.

We also thank Scarsdale Public Schools Superintendent Drew Patrick for his support throughout the production of this film. His opening remarks added a moment of extra distinction to the event.

Scarsdale Public Schools Superintendent Drew Patrick introduced the film.

The audience was very engaged during the Q&A Session, especially all of the alumni that shared stories from their school days.

At the panel discussion, left to right: Dan, Leslie, Lesley, and William. Tony and Ruth answered questions from their seats in the audience. 

Scarsdale Historical Society trustees greeting attendees, from left to right: Lori, May Cowan, Lesley Shearer, and Leslie

The event drew a crowd of all ages, and alumni enjoyed seeing the newly renovated auditorium.

“From the First Schoolhouse: A Scarsdale Story”

The Fuller Estate and Bradford Road

One of Quaker Ridge's grandest and oldest homes was destroyed by fire in 1925. 

Engraving, dated 1886 - the year after James M. Fuller passed away. Signed J.M. Brown

The house was on today’s Weaver Street toward Griffen Avenue. The fire was believed to be "of incendiary origin," since it started on a back porch with no explanation. On a night in 1925, there were 70 mph winds, and the fire hoses didn't have enough water pressure to get up the hill (they referred to it as "the ridge") to the house - until they eventually tapped a NYC water supply main. It was too late.

The home was originally built by James M. Fuller in the mid 1800s. He was an influential member of the NY Stock Exchange. In 1871, Grand Park Boulevard ended at the Mamaroneck border, so he paid for it to be extended into Scarsdale up to Griffen Avenue.

After her parents’ passing, Fuller’s eldest daughter and her husband, Bradford Rhodes, purchased the estate. Bradford Rhodes was a banker, editor, publisher, Scarsdale town officer, school trustee, and a member of the state legislature.  

Rhodes’ portrait in New York State’s Prominent and Progressive Men, published by the New York Tribune, 1900.

From the Scarsdale Inquirer: “Residence of Bradley Rhodes. On his estate “Quaker Ridge Farm.” Remodeled, Completed September 1903. “

He donated land for the Scarsdale School District No. 2 schoolhouse - and contributed to its construction (see 1910 map). Today it still stands at the Quaker Ridge Golf Club. Years later, the club was built in the former woods around his estate.  

The house fire occurred a year after Rhodes passed away in 1924. Bradford Road takes its name from Bradford Rhodes… one has to assume the Village intended the pun.