Nightingale-Bamford School

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The Nightingale-Bamford School
Established 1920
Type Private, Girls
Headmistress Dorothy Hutcheson
Faculty 80
Students 560
Grades K-12
Location New York City, NY, USA
Mascot Nighthawks
Website [1] www.nightingale.org

The Nightingale-Bamford School is an independent all-female university-preparatory school founded in 1920 by Frances Nicolau Nightingale and Maya Stevens Bamford. [1] Located in Manhattan on the Upper East Side, NBS is one of the top ranked private schools in New York City. [2]

Nightingale-Bamford is a member of the New York Interschool.

Contents

[edit] Overview

Lower School Nightingale students include girls from grades K-4. Middle School includes grades 5-8, and Upper School includes grades 9-12. Nightingale holds a small size of 560 students, approximately 45 pupils per grade level. The student-faculty ratio is 7:1 and the average class size is that of 12 students for academic and up to 22 for P.E. and the like. [3] The school is popular with elite families in New York. [4]

[edit] History

Frances Nicolau Nightingale and Maya Stevens Bamford, both experienced teachers, recognized as soon as they met that their strengths were complementary. Joining Ms. Nightingale's warmth and enthusiasm with Ms. Bamford's rigor and intellectual ambition, they created a school for girls that educated the mind and heart together.

[edit] Former Headmistresses

  • Frances Nicolau Nightingale
    • Headmistress, 1920–1939
  • Maya Stevens Bamford
    • Headmistress, 1939–1947
  • Edna Hill Robillard
    • Headmistress, 1947–1958
  • Catherine Baldwin Woodbridge
    • Headmistress, 1958–1971
  • Joan Stitt McMenamin
    • Headmistress, 1971–1992
  • Dorothy A. Hutcheson
    • Current Headmistress, 1992–present

[edit] Faculty

Headmistress Dorothy Hutcheson has been head of Nightingale since 1992. She received her A.B. from Duke University and her M.S.Ed. from Duquesne University. She previously worked at the Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn and Shady Side Academy, in Pittsburgh. Hutcheson also teaches a course in public speaking, required of all NBS juniors. Ms. Hutcheson serves on numerous boards and has led several professional organizations, particularly those in support of girls. She is currently the longest serving head of school of any girls’ school in New York City. [5]

The Nightingale-Bamford School is known for its outstanding faculty and employs a number of immensely talented individuals. Two members of the English Department, John Loughery and Christine Schutt, are critically acclaimed, award-winning authors. Each and every member of the visual arts department is, too, deserving of recognition, and are constantly showing their works in galleries throughout the city and the whole of the United States. A member of the Math Department, Carolyn Wheater, has published a geometry review book as part of the Homework Helpers series. [6]

[edit] Academic Background

The median SAT scores are 680 critical reading and 650 mathematics. [7] In 2007, Nightingale alumna Alex Harwin '03, a History major, graduated first in her class from Harvard University, Nightingale faculty attended her ceremonial dinner in NYC. [8]

In the 2007-2008 academic year, Sixty-eight NBS students received awards on the National Latin Exam, including four who received gold medals for perfect scores. Four students received special awards for winning gold-medals in five consecutive years. One Student received gist place recognition on Level I of the National French Exam, and another received second place on level 4. A member of the Class of 2008 placed first nationally on level 5. Nightingale also had several students excel on the National Spanish Exam, with one placing second on Level 1, another placing first on Level 2, and one more placing first on Level 3. [9]

Several Nightingale students received regional honors from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards in 2008. A Class IX student received a Silver Key for ceramics, and a Class XII student won a Gold Key for ceramics. Another class XII student won a Gold Key for her photography portfolio. A Class XI student won a Gold Key in journalism, and another class XI student won a Silver Key for Short Story. Two Seniors won Silver Keys in the national level for the painting portfolios. [10]

In 2008, a NBS senior was the recipient of the Reston Stevenson Science Prize, for four years of outstanding achievement in the sciences. A senior, for her leadership, loyalty, good sportsmanship, won the Sarah E. Hamilton Prize. [11]

A member of the Class of 2008 received the Ruth Rosenfeld Prize, who won due to her sportsmanship, her leadership of C.A.F.E., and her positive encouragement of others. Another NBS student in 2008 won the Wellesley College Book Award for academic excellence and leadership. [12]

[edit] College Placement (2001-2006)

Top Ten [13]

6 to each - Occidental College and Vanderbilt University.

5 to each - Bard College, Boston University, Connecticut College, Davidson College, Franklin and Marshall College, Georgetown University, State University of New York system, University of Chicago, and Wesleyan University.

4 to each - Boston College, Colgate University, Duke University, Hamilton College, Middlebury College, Oberlin College, Trinity College, Tulane University, University of Vermont, Washington University, and Yale University.

3 to each - Dickinson College, Goucher College, Grinnell College, Lehigh University, Macalester College, Northwestern University, Skidmore College, Stanford University, and Tufts University.

2 to each - Bowdoin College, Brandeis University, Bryn Mawr College, Colby College, Colorado College, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, Princeton University, Sarah Lawrence College, Syracuse University, Wellesley College, and Williams College.

[edit] Rankings

In a Worth Magazine study, Nightingale placed 77th out of 31,700 private and public high schools in the U.S. in placing its graduates in Harvard, Princeton and Yale. [14].

[edit] Advising

Joyce Slayton Mitchell, the Nightingale college advisor, serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for the College Board Review and on the school committee of U.S. News & World Report’s special college issue. She is the author of Winning the Heart of the College Admissions Dean (Ten Speed Press, 2001, 2005).

Nightingale hosts the Manhattan College Fair for New York City Independent School juniors and their parents. [15]

[edit] Courses [16]

[edit] Lower School

Students in the Lower School take Mathematics, Science, English, and History and Geography. Girls take Physical Education three times a week and Music and Art classes each once a week.

[edit] Middle School

Middle School contains Mathematics, Science, English, History and Geography, foreign language starting at grade V, and Latin starting at grade VI. As well, students choose P.E., Art, Music, and Drama classes.

[edit] Upper School

Mathematics - Geometry for class IX; Algebra II for class X; Functions and Trigonometry class or Precalculus class for class XI; and AP Calculus (AB) or AP Calculus (BC) or Calculus for class XII. Topics in Algebra I is also available.

Science - Biology for class IX; Applied Chemistry or Chemistry or Physics for classes X-XI; AP Biology or AP Chemistry or AP Physics B for class XII. Public Health elective and Science Seminar elective is also available.

English - English for class IX; English for Class X; African American literature or American Studies, 1900-1950 or Heroines or Misfits and Monsters: The Other in Western Literature or Modern International Drama or Shakespeare: The Greek and Roman Plays or Southern Gothic or the Golden Age of Russia for classes XI-XII; Junior English for class XI; Senior English for class XII. Public Speaking semester elective is required of all NBS juniors.

History - Early Modern World History for class IX; Modern World History for class X; AP European History or AP US History or Middle East or Modern China or Modern European Intellectual or US History or World Religion or World Since 45' for classes XI and XII.

Classical Languages - Latin II for class IX; Latin III for class X; Intro. to Greek for classes X-XI; AP Latin Virgil for class XII; Greek II for classes XI-XII; AP Latin Literature or Greek III for class XII.

Modern Languages - Spanish I or Spanish II or French II for class IX; French III or Spanish III for class X; French IV or Spanish IV for class XI; Advanced French or AP French Literature or AP Spanish Language or Francophone and Latino Literature or AP French Language or AP Spanish Literature for classes XI-XII.

Visual Arts - 2-D Design, Ceramics, Intro. to Art History, Painting, Photography I, Photography II, Photography: Darkroom, Photography: Digital Imaging, Sculpture, Studio Ceramics, Studio Painting, Studio Photography, Studio Sculpture, Studio Video, Topics in Art History or AP Art History, and Video Elective.

Dance - Dance

Drama - Musical Theatre, Intro. to Acting, Modern Theatre in America, and Performance Workshop.

Music - Advanced Guitar, Intermediate Guitar, Music Appreciation, Music Instruction, Chamber Singers, and Chorus.

Physical Education - Health related fitness, Individual/Lifetime Sports, Team Sports, and Dance. Each girl picks three physical education electives per week. Girls on a NBS athletic team are exempt from Physical Education.

Study Skills - Study Skills for class IV.

[edit] Off-campus study programs

Nightingale-Bamford offers a wide array of off-campus study programs for Upper School girls, both domestically and abroad. [2]

Swiss Semester in Zermatt, first semester, Class X

Australian exchange with Ascham School in Sydney, Class X

French Exchange Program with Ecole Active Bilingue in Paris, spring break, Class X with Collegiate

Spanish Exchange Program with Escola Pia-Balmes in Barcelona, spring break, Class X with Collegiate

Island School in Eleuthera, Bahamas, one semester, Class X or XI

English Exchange with St. Paul’s Girls’ School in London, two weeks, Class XI

The Maine Coast Semester in Wiscasset, ME, one semester, Class XI

Mountain School of Milton Academy in Vershire, VT, one semester, Class XI

Rocky Mountain Semester in Leadville, CO, one semester, Class XI

The Diocesan School for Girls in Auckland, NZ, two weeks, Class XI

Upper School Chorus trips during spring break (Italy, England, & Spain in the past; Austria & Czech Republic in 2007)

Latin study trip to Italy, spring vacation, Classes X, XI, XII

[edit] Admissions

Nightingale's highly competitive admissions process has gotten some media attention in the past few years. [17] [18] [19] The school has a 31% acceptance rate, making NBS one of the most challenging schools to get into in the nation. [20]

The Nightingale-Bamford School gives advance consideration to Sibling and Legacy applicants who apply under the Early Notification plan. All applicants are evaluated according to the same criteria of individual qualifications and the birthday cut off is September 1st for grade K.

[edit] Tuition and Fees

The yearly tuition at the Nightingale-Bamford School is $30,000 for K-4 and $30,900 for 5-12. [21]. The tuition is all-inclusive except for uniform fees.

[edit] Financial Aid

In 2006-2007 approximately 19% of the student body received financial aid. assistance. Thanks to a scholarship program supported by every Parents Association benefit, financial aid is available to families unable to meet full tuition costs. [22]

[edit] Extracurricular Activities

[edit] Athletics

Middle school students may select from volleyball, softball, swimming, dance, basketball, track & field, lacrosse, and soccer.In Middle School, there is a no-cut policy, which means that no player may be kicked off a team for lack of athletic ability. Upper Schoolers may choose from volleyball, softball, swimming, dance, basketball, track & field, lacrosse, soccer, track, cross country, and badminton.[23]

[edit] Clubs and Organizations

[edit] Middle School

  • Class VIII Yearbook
  • Community Service
  • Dance Club
  • Middle School Chorus
  • Out of Uniform (literary magazine)
  • Self-Government

[edit] Upper School

  • Admissions Tour Guides
  • Arts Board
  • Athletic Board
  • Baseless Accusations
  • C.A.F.E. (Cultural Awareness for Everyone)
  • Community Service Board
  • Cooking Club
  • Curriculum Committee
  • Dance
  • Debate Team
  • Drama Club
  • Drama Productions
  • Driver’s Education
  • E.A.R.T.H. (Environmental Awareness and Recycling)
  • Film Club
  • Gospel Choir
  • Knitting Club
  • Model Congress
  • Philomel (literary magazine)
  • Social Events Board
  • Spectrum (gay rights)
  • Student Council
  • Students for a Free Tibet
  • The Spectator (newspaper)
  • Yearbook

[edit] Diversity

Nightingale-Bamford boasts a fairly diverse community for an independent school with 26% of the student body being of color [24]. The school has a wildly known program called Cultural Awareness for Everyone, or informally C.A.F.E. CA.F.E. touches on the basis of not only race, but also class, religion, sexual orientation, gender, and age. [25]

C.A.F.E’s page offers a variety of resources to diverse-related books, films, and websites including God Grew Tired Of Us (film), The Price of Privliage by Madaline Lavine (book), web source Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, among others.[26]

Nightingale-Bamford School Diversity Statement [27]

The Nightingale-Bamford School is committed to diversity in an educational environment of responsibility, mutual respect, and empathy. We value individuals whose differences include, but are not limited to, age, ethnicity, family structure, gender, learning style, physical ability, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. Fulfilling this mission is an ongoing process requiring active participation and frequent dialogue.

All members of the Nightingale community – students past and present, faculty and staff, administrators, parents, and trustees – are expected to keep their minds and hearts open to difference as a source of strength and a means of growth.

[edit] Partner Schools

Nightingale-Bamford closely works with The Allen-Stevenson School, a private boys' school. The school also works with the St. Bernard's School, also a private boys' school.

[edit] Notable Alumnae

[edit] NBS in pop culture

  • In the bestselling Gossip Girl series by NBS alumna Cecily von Ziegesar '88, the character's elite all-girls school Constance Billard School for Girls, is based upon Nightingale-Bamford and the lives of the girls who attend the School. "[Constance Billard] is completely based on Nightingale," von Ziegesar told ABC News. "But I exaggerated to make it more entertaining."[35]

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Nightingale-Bamford School ~ History
  2. ^ Survivor:The Manhattan Kindergarten by Kay S. Hymowitz, City Journal Spring 2001
  3. ^ The Nightingale-Bamford School ~ Admissions FAQ
  4. ^ See Jennings, Peter-http://www.celebrityprepschools.com/part3.htm
  5. ^ The Nightingale-Bamford School ~ Greetings from the Head of School
  6. ^ Amazon.com: Homework Helpers: Geometry: Carolyn C. Wheater: Books
  7. ^ The Nightingale-Bamford School- School Overview
  8. ^ The Nightingale-Bamford School ~ Nightingale News
  9. ^ http://www.nightingale.org/podium/default.aspx?t=204
  10. ^ http://www.nightingale.org/podium/default.aspx?t=204
  11. ^ http://www.nightingale.org/podium/default.aspx?t=204
  12. ^ http://www.nightingale.org/podium/default.aspx?t=204
  13. ^ The Nightingale-Bamford School ~ College Matriculation List
  14. ^ http://www.auap.com/prepschoolclass.html
  15. ^ The Nightingale-Bamford School ~ College Advising
  16. ^ The Nightingale-Bamford School ~ Academic Programs
  17. ^ Survivor:The Manhattan Kindergarten by Kay S. Hymowitz, City Journal Spring 2001
  18. ^ Welcome to IvyWise
  19. ^ Failing at Four
  20. ^ The Nightingale-Bamford School- School Overview
  21. ^ The Nightingale-Bamford School ~ Admissions FAQ
  22. ^ The Nightingale-Bamford School ~ Admissions FAQ
  23. ^ The Nightingale-Bamford School ~ Physical Education
  24. ^ The Nightingale-Bamford School ~ Admissions FAQ
  25. ^ The Nightingale-Bamford School ~ Community Life
  26. ^ The Nightingale-Bamford School ~ Community Life
  27. ^ The Nightingale-Bamford School ~ Diversity Statement
  28. ^ http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/04/17/2008-04-17_rookie_cop_charged_in_heists_had_bank_te.html
  29. ^ Celebrity Prep Schools
  30. ^ PUBLIC LIVES; A Top Adviser to a Much-Advised First Lady - New York Times
  31. ^ About Shoshanna
  32. ^ House of the Rising Ronsons
  33. ^ Sarah Thompson (I) - Biography
  34. ^ Author Profile: Cecily von Ziegesar
  35. ^ ABC News: 'Gossip Girls': 'Raunchy and Intense'

[edit] External links