York Preparatory School
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
York Preparatory School is a fully accredited co-educational college preparatory day school located at 40 West 68th Street in the Lincoln Center area of New York City, United States. York Prep, a 6-12 school with a total enrollment of approximately 320 students, is committed to maintaining a diverse community. One hundred per cent of the graduating class is accepted to college, with over 85% of students getting into their top two choices.
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[edit] Mission
The goal of the school is to help students achieve success while upholding academic excellence. York Prep students are grouped into subject-specific tracks, thus enabling them to recognize their academic potential. For high achievers, an honors program of accelerated classes in all subjects and Advanced Placement testing are available. In addition, the Headmaster may permit seniors and advanced eleventh graders the opportunity to take courses at Columbia University, New York University, or Hunter College.
[edit] Scholars Program
The York Prep Scholars Program addresses the needs of the most academically able students with a rigorous curriculum. The program provides the opportunity, motivation, and support for these students to achieve academic success at the upper range of their potential. Entrance to the program is selective. Participating students satisfy certain general criteria as well as develop individual projects. Scholars Program students attend two special seminars each week, one in English/History/Philosophy and the other in Math/Science. They also meet every two weeks with the Director of the Scholars Program for a one-on-one tutorial/counseling session. The Scholars Program introduces ideas, concepts, and themes not covered in the regular curriculum. Units on such topics as Socrates, bioethics, or number theory are presented independently in mini-courses taught by members of the faculty focusing on their particular specialties.
[edit] Jump Start Program
The Jump Start Program assists students with specific learning disabilities to function successfully in an academically challenging mainstream setting. All Jump Start teachers are full-time faculty members of the school and have a background in Special Education. The Jump Start teachers act as case managers and advocates, providing both parents and fellow faculty members with valuable information about the student to help him/her succeed at York Prep. Students targeted for the program are those who are having difficulty achieving their full potential in school solely because of problems in one or more of the following academic areas: language processing, reading, writing, math, time management skills, and organizational skills.
[edit] Extracurricular activities
York Prep offers a wide variety of sports and clubs and is a playing member of the Independent Schools Athletic League (New York) and GISAL leagues in baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball, tennis, golf,track and field, and cross country. Other sports include roller hockey, fencing, horseback riding, and swimming.
[edit] History
York Prep is run like a family by a family. Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Stewart founded York Prep in 1969; today, Mr. Stewart continues to be the only headmaster the school has ever had and is currently the longest serving headmaster in New York City. Mrs. Stewart remains the director of college guidance. Their active, daily involvement reinforces their message that teaching is truly a privilege. Recently, the Stewarts' son-in-law, Mr. Chris Durnford, became the school's principal, continuing the family tradition.
[edit] College guidance
Mrs. Jayme Stewart, Director of College Guidance, is dedicated to assisting college-bound students in the application process. She monitors each student’s evaluations as she or he proceeds through the grades. Although her guidance starts in the freshman and sophomore years, individual counseling begins in the spring term of the junior year. As seniors, students work closely with Mrs. Stewart in fulfilling the requirements of every step of the college admissions procedure. Mrs. Stewart, in turn, is renowned for her follow-ups, college calls, and “nag” letters that keep students and their families on track. For this reason, York Prep has a high rate of placement success and student satisfaction.
[edit] Community service
The school encourages students to recognize their place in the larger community. York Prep was one of the first schools locally to require student participation in community service activities. Community service is a graduation requirement, with philanthropic efforts ranging from organizing charity walks to working for the Red Cross.
[edit] Other information
Ice-T teaches 8 teens from York Preparatory School how to rap so they can become a real rap group on Ice-T's Rap School (tv series).
