Dominican Academy is an American Catholic college preparatory school for girls, located on the Upper East Side of the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York. It was founded by the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs (now Dominican Sisters of Peace). 44 East 68th Street The mansion at 44 East 68th Street was built in 1921 as the private residence of Colonel Michael Friedsam, the former president of the B. Altman and Company and one of the premier art collectors in America at that time. The five-story building fashioned in limestone was designed by Frederick Frost, with wrought ironwork by Samuel Yellin. Many of the original architectural elements, including carved marble fireplaces, stained-glass windows, and ornate woodwork, are still in place today creating a unique environment for learning. Friedsam's art collection contained numerous masterpieces by artists including Botticelli, Rembrandt, Jan Van Eyck, and Vermeer. Upon Friedsam's death, his collection, valued at $10,000,000 (in 1931), was split between the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Brooklyn Museum. The house itself went to Friedsam's close friend, Benjamin Altman of B. Altman and Co., under the provision that it be used for educational purposes. Many legends surround the ghost of Michael Friedsam. He is often heard in room 3 where he died. At that time, Altman sold the building to the Dominican Sisters for $1. At first, the only staircase in the building was the main red staircase. However, in 1956, the chapel was destroyed by a fire which led to the Dominican Sisters taking many more safety precautions and building an extra black staircase on the opposite side of the building. The library, which previously held part of Friedsam's extensive art collection, has over 7,000 books with special art, literature, and classics collections. The library subscribes to more than 60 magazines and newspapers. The science lab was renovated over the summer of 2010, underwritten by the generosity of the Reunion Class of 1958 and the family of a beloved deceased alumna. Computers are readily available in the library, computer room and throughout the building for student use. The school underwent a major renovation in the summers of 2017 and 2018 which included the addition of two full-sized classrooms, a reconfigured library commons and dedicated chapel space, and additional student and faculty spaces. Accreditation and awards Established in 1897, the school is named for its founders, the Dominican Sisters.