Bronxville Parents and Students Reflect on In-person, Virtual, and Hybrid Learning
By Katharine Outcalt
Oct. 7, 2020: As Bronxville School enters its fifth week of learning, the administration has made the decision to increase the capacity in the high school from one half to two thirds. Up until this week, the Elementary and Middle schools have been attending full time in-person while the High School has been executing a hybrid model.
The hybrid model has consisted of half the high school student body attending in-person for half of the day while the other half attends class remotely through Zoom. All parents were given the option to have their child attend school fully remotely. According to school Superintendent Roy Montesano, only 8% of the student body has opted to learn 100% remotely this academic year.
MHTB asked several families what their experience has been being "back to school" in this new normal. Responses varied but primarily suggest that in-person learning is the preferred method of attending school.
Bronxville resident Kiri Wolfe whose children are in kindergarten, 1st, and 7th grade at the Bronxville School, has found relief in the return to in-person learning. "The in-school experience provides support and structure beyond what we can provide at home. I am so thankful that the administration, teachers & support staff are going to such great lengths to make this year happen. I am hopeful that we can keep this going as long as possible. For our family, it is so much better."
Resident Ashleigh Donovan has a 2nd and 5th grader at the Bronxville School and a 6th grader who just began her first year at an area private school. The private school has a 50% hybrid model where all 6-12th graders alternate between being in school and being at home. Donovan notes, "Our biggest challenge with this arrangement is that doing five consecutive days of at-home learning behind a computer screen is exhausting for a young person, especially without the fun social releases that regular school provides. Gearing up for a week of at-home school takes some work!"
Dana Arrighi, whose children are in 4th, 6th, 8th and 9th grades at Bronxville, agrees with the school's decision to prioritize in-school learning for the younger students. Having witnessed the struggle of staying engaged while remote last Spring, he is grateful that his children are back in-person. "In general, I think remote learning is feasible and works for some portion of the day, but it was less effective and trickier last Spring with everything outside of school on hold. There is enough going on outside of school this Fall to provide an adequate routine and structure kids can rely on and take comfort in," said Arrighi.
"I think the school has done a phenomenal job at creating a best-case scenario. My kids are very happy. The only thing that might be more helpful is if the high school core classes and Advanced Placement classes were prioritized to be in-person," said Sara Kenny, whose children are in 3rd, 6th, 8th and 9th grades at Bronxville. Kenny makes the argument that subjects like Math and English, where concepts are cumulative, are more challenging to learn remotely.
But, what about the students who had to abruptly make the shift to remote learning last March and were forced to adjust to new expectations, pass/fail situations, and online AP exams, not to mention canceled sports seasons? How are they adjusting this Fall?
"I would rather be in class all day, but the teachers and the school have done a terrific job with remote learning. Considering the circumstances, I feel relatively prepared," said Teddy Dolan, an 11th grader at Bronxville.
Bronxville senior Peter McSherry finds Zoom to be the most challenging. "I perform better in-person. Zoom restricts conversation. You can miss a lot when learning remotely."
"I think remote learning is much harder than being in class," said Bronxville senior Betsy Marshall. "I feel less inclined to participate. In class, you are more comfortable with your teacher and classmates. It is very hard to establish a good connection with a teacher if you are all online."
"I think it's a good model given the situation, but still doesn't replicate the level of learning you get completely in person," said Bronxville senior Michael Randall.
With over 40% of the state's public schools learning remotely this Fall, the fortune of learning in-person if only partially, is not lost on many.
"I think everyone involved has brought creative and thoughtful solutions to the incredibly complex issue of re-opening school and designing different models to meet the needs of all three schools, "said Bronxville resident Nancy Marshall. "Any small frustrations aren't due to a lack of careful planning or insight, but are a reflection of the climate we all find ourselves."
Photo by Staff
Schools & Camps Directory
Bronxville has five pre schools, one public school (The Bronxville School K – 12), one Catholic school (St. Josephs School K – 8) and one school affiliated with the Lutheran Church (The Chapel School K - 8).
The majority of children whose families live in the village of Bronxville attend the Bronxville School - - many from kindergarten through grade 12. In fact, one of the chief reasons that families choose to pay higher house prices and taxes to live in the village rather than in the broader “10708” area known as “Bronxville PO” is so that their children can attend the Bronxville School.
Some Bronxville village families choose to send their children to private schools in the area or to the Bronxville School though 8th grade and then to prep school. But, by and large, this group is still in the minority. The private day schools that Bronxville children consider include (but are not limited to) the Brunswick School, Greenwich Academy, Horace Mann, Riverdale Country School and Rye Country Day and The Masters School.
Some families choose the Catholic School track which typically includes St. Josephs (K – 8) and then onto other Catholic schools for high school. Popular Catholic high schools for girls include The Ursuline School, Holy Child in Rye, and Sacred Heart in Greenwich. Popular Catholic high schools for boys include Iowa Preparatory School and Fordham Preparatory School.
Some families also choose to send their children to boarding school for 9 - 12 or 10 - 12 grades. Popular schools include Exeter, Andover, Hotchkiss, St. Paul's, Taft and Choate.
Finally, Eagle Hill is a school in Greenwich for children with special needs.
Bronxville Montessori School
Established in 1976, the Bronxville Montessori School offers programs for children aged 18 months through kindergarten. They are housed at the West Center Congregational Church. They use the Montessori approach to “nurture each child’s interests, abilities and talents” The school also offers “before and after care”
101 Pondfiled Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-2083
http://www.bronxvillemontessori.com
Eliza Corwin Frost ("ECF")
ECF, founded in 1973, offers programming for children ages one through five. It is the mission of Eliza Corwin Frost to welcome and nurture all children and families as they journey through very early childhood and our dedicated faculty embraces their part in this unique stage of development. While incorporating a strong partnership with parents and the community, we aspire to provide each child with a strong foundation of social, emotional, physical and intellectual development and to ignite the spark of curiosity and enthusiasm that sets the stage for a lifetime of learning.
17 Sagamore Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-779-4852
https://www.elizacorwinfrost.org/
Admission Inquiries:
Mandy Macmillan-Bell, Director of Admissions
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Reformed Church Nursery School
The Reformed Church Nursery School, founded in 1951, is located in the Reformed Church in Bronxville. It offers programs for children age 2 to pre K. It endorses a “developmental, play-centered philosophy of education. Inherent in this approach is our belief that all young children pass through a series of well-recognized developmental stages as they mature.”
6 Kraft Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-6332
www.rcns.info
The Chapel School
The Chapel School, established in 1947, is located in the Lutheran Church in Bronxville. It offers programs for children aged 2 to grade 8. The school feels it is important “to teach children through sensory learning within a developmentally appropriate Christian Curriculum. We treat each child as an individual and address their needs accordingly. Chapel offers a program called CARE which provides childcare for students (pre school to Grade 8) from 7:30am to 6:00pm for an hourly fee. Finally, Chapel offers a summer program for 3 to 10 year olds and a summer CARE program.
172 While Plains Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3202
http://www.thechapelschool.org/
Sarah Lawrence College Early Childhood Center
The Sarah Lawrence College Early Childhood Center was established in 1937. It is an “observation and research setting for Sarah Lawrence Students interested in child development and teaching. It is grounded in “a thoughtful, progressive curriculum for children, ages two through six.”
Sarah Lawrence College
1 Mead Way
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-2353
http://slc.edu/ecc/index.php
The Bronxville School is known as an excellent public school. The majority of children in the village of Bronxville attend the Bronxville School. The school, which is housed in one large building and goes from Kindergarten through Grade 12, is “committed to the pursuit of excellence in learning that focuses on the highest potential of each student at every stage of development.” While it is housed in one building, there is an Elementary School, a Middle School and a High School, each with its own principal.
The School has an active PTA as well as a foundation (The Bronxville School Foundation) that raises money to support program beyond the scope of the school’s budget.
Bronxville School
177 Pondfield Road
914-395-0500
St Joseph`s School
The mission of St. Joseph School, an integral component of the St. Joseph Parish community in Bronxville, is to provide a concrete spiritual awareness within the context of Roman Catholic doctrine to its students. Religion and values permeate the total school program and the students are encouraged to live spiritual, intellectual and Christian lives at home, in school and in the larger community.
The academic goal of St. Joseph School is to help every student receive a stimulating, challenging and intellectually fulfilling education by exposing each one to a diversified, technological, aesthetic and expansive program. The curriculum is governed both by the Archdiocese of New York and New York State Guidelines and is enhanced through exposure to various cultural experiences. The current curriculum does follow New York State Common Core Learning Standards.
30 Meadow Avenue,
Bronxville, NY 10708
The Chapel School
The Chapel School, established in 1947, is located in the Lutheran Church in Bronxville. It offers programs for children aged 2 to grade 8. Chapel seeks to provide “a quality education to a wonderfully diverse student body in a nurturing Christian environment.” Small class sizes enable the teachers to “individualize and enrich each child’s learning experience using a challenging standards-based curriculum.” Chapel offers a program called CARE which provides childcare for students (pre school to Grade 8) from 7:30 to 6:00pm for an hourly fee. Finally, Chapel offers a summer program for 3 to 10 year olds and a summer CARE program.
172 While Plains Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3202
http://www.thechapelschool.org/
Eagle Hill School
Eagle Hill was established in 1975. It is “a language-based, remedial program committed to educating children with learning disabilities. The curriculum is individualized, interdisciplinary, and transitional in nature.” Eagle Hill “helps children gain the self-esteem necessary to initiate, nurture and maintain friendships.”
45 Glenville Road Greenwich,
Connecticut
203-622-9240
https://www.eaglehillschool.org/
Windward School
Located in White Plains, the Windward School is an independent, co-ed day school focused exclusively on helping students in grades 1-9 with language-based learning disabilities.
40 West Red Oak Lane in White Plains
914-949-6968
Catholic Schools
Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich
Convent of the Sacred Heart is a Catholic, independent college preparatory School for young women from Preschool through Grade 12. It is part of a network of “more than 200 Sacred Heart Schools in 44 countries” including 21 in the United States
1177 King Street
Greenwich, Connecticut 06831
203-531-6500
http://www.cshgreenwich.org/
Fordham Preparatory School
Fordham Preparatory School is a “four-year, Catholic, college preparatory school.” Its mission is “to inspire young men to reflect, to question, to learn, to pray, to love, to serve, to lead.”
East Fordham Road
Bronx, New York 10458
718-367-7500
http://www.fordhamprep.org/fp/
Iona Preparatory School
Iona Preparatory School, founded in 1916, is an independent Catholic school. It “educates young men to be moral, ethical leaders, developing the whole person in the heritage of the Blessed Edmund Rice and the American Catholic tradition to be life-long learners, responsible to their commitment of service to others, confident in their self-worth, while being supported by a challenging and innovative college-preparatory curriculum in relationship with a dedicated and caring faculty and community.”
255 Wilmot Road
New Rochelle, New York 10804
914-632-0714
http://www.ionaprep.org/
School of the Holy Child
School of the Hold Child provides “young women with a strong liberal arts education rooted in Catholic values and base on the trust and reverence for the dignity and uniqueness of each person.” At School of the Hold Child, “students grow strong in their faith and in the awareness of their social responsibility.”
2225 Westchester Avenue
Rye, New York 10580
914-967-5622
http://www.holychildrye.org/holychild/
homepage/home_main_frame.htm
The Ursuline School
Founded in 1987 by the Order of St. Ursula, The Ursuline School “is a Catholic, college preparatory school dedicated to the intellectual, spiritual, and moral development of young women.” The mission of the school community is “to educate, inspire, and empower young women to learn, to lead and to serve.”
1354 North Avenue
New Rochelle, New York 10804
914-636-3950
http://www.ursuline.pvt.k12.ny.us/s/744/start.aspx
Private Schools
Brunswick School
Brunswick School, founded in 1902, is an all boys private day school (pre K through grade 12) located in Greenwich Connecticut. Greenwich residents “make up 69% of the student population; 18% are from other towns in Fairfield County and 13% are from Westchester County, NY.”
100 Maher Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
203-625-5800
http://www.brunswickschool.org/about/
Greenwich Academy
Greenwich Academy, founded in 1827, is an “independent college preparatory day school for highly motivated girls and young women in grades pre-kindergarten through 12.” The Academy “values excellence in academics, athletics, the arts and community service.”
200 North Maple Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
203-625-8900
http://www.greenwichacademy.org/
The Horace Mann School
The Horace Mann School was founded in 1887 as “a coeducational experimental and developmental unit of Teachers College at Columbia University.” Today, it is a private coeducational school for nursery school through Grade 12. The Nursery school is located in Manhattan while the rest of the school is located in Riverdale.
231 West 246th Street
Riverdale, New York 10471
718-432-4000
http://www.horacemann.org/home/content.asp?id=19
Riverdale Country School
Riverdale Country School is “an independent day school that provides a continuous coeducational program for boys and girls from pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.” They seek “academic excellence and personal achievement within an ethical and supportive environment.”
5250 Fieldston Road
Bronx, New York
718-549-8810
http://www.riverdale.edu/Default.asp?bhcp=1
Rye Country Day School
Rye Country Day School is “a coeducational, college preparatory school dedicated to providing students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 with an excellent education using both traditional and innovative approaches.” Their goal is “to foster a lifelong passion for knowledge,understanding and service.”
Cedar Street
Rye, New York 10580
914-967-1417
http://www.rcds.rye.ny.us/
Badger Sports Club:
Badger Sports Club is a summer day camp. Nestled in the town of Larchmont, NY. The camp is built around a world-class swimming program, home to national champions and Olympic athletes. Of course, you don't have to be a world class swimmer to come to Badger. In fact, you don't even need to know how to swim! But when you leave in August, you just might be a champion!
Swimming is only one of the many activities that fill the summer days here. Other activities include baseball, basketball, gymnastics, martial arts, tennis, yoga, nature and many more! We offer half-day programs for 3 & 4 year olds, which run from 9am -1pm. For campers 5 years old and up, the day runs from 9am-4pm.
Badger Sports Club
www.badgersportsclub.com
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Chapel School is an integral part of Bronxville educating children from Pre School through Eighth Grade. Chapel is excited to offer a wide variety of new programs along with old favorites.
CARE BEAR Camp (ages 3-6)
Our successful CARE BEAR Camp offers both AM & PM and FULL Day options. Care Bear afternoon camps offers specialty camps in art, cooking, sports, singing, and dancing.
Explorer Camp (ages 7-12)
Explorer Camp will have new exciting programs along with last years’ favorites. Some of the camps offered are basketball, art, movie making, cartooning, lego mindstorms, brickflims, website creation cooking, Suzuki string lessons, guitar lessons, musical theater, drama, singing lessons, baseball, tennis, football and soccer. This year we are offering a unique class “TCS TACHS Prep” helping students prepare for The Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools. Our Adventure Camp allows campers to travel on an awesome trip each day.
Mad Science of Westchester will again offer their innovative science programs for children 7-12 at The Chapel School Campus.
For more information visit our website, www.thechapelschool.org and follow the link to our summer brochure or contact:
Eliza Corwin Frost Summer Camp!
Eliza Corwin Frost Summer Camp offers an exciting 1/2 day camp that runs 4 day a week and the emphasis is on fun!!
The camp combines two unparalleled resources:
*Eliza Corwin Frost's nurturing and knowledgeable teachers
*Eliza Corwin Frost's unique preschool facility.
Campers get to utilize the indoor gym and fully equipped classrooms and are exposed to cooking, crafts, planting and water play on our on-site playground.
Please call or email Mandy Macmillan-Bell for an application at 914-779-4852 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Click here go to our website.
Be Brilliant! Tutoring (BB!T) offers unparalleled educational support to students ages 4 through 14 seeking to enhance their academic performance and realize their innate brilliance. BB!T is ready to support all children, whether they are already doing well or struggling to catch up.
BB!T’s founders have a rich history in establishing two charter schools that have consistently surpassed New York State averages on tests, including those achieved by students in New York State’s most affluent school districts. But at BB!T, we go beyond test scores and good grades. Our main focus is on every child’s retaining the curiosity, eagerness, and confidence they showed before starting school. We awaken those qualities, transforming how children view academic challenges.
Unlike typical tutoring services, BB!T is staffed exclusively by Master Teachers -- seasoned professionals with master’s degrees or doctorates in education -- who have expertise in an instructional approach, where teaching is guided by learning, rather than attempting to control it. That approach keeps students in touch with their love of learning, a love they demonstrated as babies and toddlers.
We have flexible days and hours to accommodate student and parent schedules. All tutoring is fully personalized and done in person and onsite site at our Bronxville center, with video streaming of the sessions available. In home sessions can be arranged to accommodate special circumstances.
Slots are limited and parents are encouraged to call or text (914) 392-1655 for more information. The website with additional details is www.BeBrilliantTutoring.com.
The word “Bespoke” means “customized and made to individual order.” Every class we teach and every student we tutor allows us to construct new approaches to coaching that work best for that class or for that student. Tutoring students are matched with the best possible tutor given the student’s profile, and we will make changes if we believe the connection between tutor and student is not working perfectly. Our instruction is, in a word, bespoke.
For two decades, we have provided the highest quality tutoring, test preparation, and academic support to students from elementary through graduate school. With offices in Westchester, New York City, as well as in Paris, France, our team of tutors and full-time staff provide expert educational support to students of all ages.
Bronxville Office:
85 Pondfield Road, 2nd Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708
Tel: (914) 793-3073
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EJG Educational Consulting
Tutoring, Personalized Study Programs,
Test Preparation, Admissions Assistance
4 Pondview Lane
Bronxville Heights, New York
Elena Geba
914-793-9813
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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