For Jr. High School, the seventh through the twelfth grade, Arbus attended Fieldstone School in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. At Fieldstone she became interested in public spectacles, rituals, and myths; ideas, which would later influence her photography work. Here she also devoted much of her time and energy to art class sketching, painting, and clay sculpture.
During this period of her life, Arbus and several of her friends began exploring the city of New York. On their own they would take the subway, getting off in unfamiliar areas, Brooklyn or the Bronx. They would go out to observe and following interesting or unusual passers.
At the young age of 14 Diane met her future husband. Allan Arbus, a 19-year-old City College student who was employed in the art department at Russeks, her father’s store. They say it was love at first sight for the young happy couple. Her parents obviously disapproved, as he was not of the same wealth class. However their disapproval only served to heighten Diane's conviction to marry him.
Diane saw in marriage a way to escape from all that was restricting and oppressive in her family life. In