Elementary School in New York City

The Cathedral School of St. John the Divine, New York:
The Cathedral School of St. John the Divine is an independent, Episcopal, K-8 day school for girls and boys of all faiths in New York City. The School is committed to a rigorous academic program that integrates the arts, athletics, and leadership development. Located on Manhattan´s Upper West Side the School offers a unique setting for the celebration of the many traditions shared by its families. The School prides itself in being a diverse community in partnership with families who take an active role in their children’s intellectual, ethical, social, and emotional growth. Our talented staff are deeply committed to excellence in education -- to intellectual, social, emotional, and moral development of each child. The Cathedral School offers a stimulating environment in which each child can become an articulate, confident, and responsible citizen of the world. Continuing a century-old relationship, the School draws upon the Cathedral’s vast resources and provides its children’s choir.

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The Mission Statement for The Cathedral School states that, “Our goal is to create a stimulating environment in which each child can become an articulate, confident, and responsible citizen of the world.” To this end, risk-taking is encouraged at The Cathedral School, and it enhances student learning. From the youngest to the oldest, our students are given opportunities every day to mature intellectually, to gain confidence, and to understand and appreciate others through active participation in their diverse community.

* multicultural curricula and programs that support underrepresented voices, and thus enhance the experience of all students
* admission and hiring efforts to further diversity
* a school culture that fosters respect for all individuals and enables community members to question biases and express opinions
* continual review of diversity issues among all members of the school community through ongoing meetings, discussions, and professional development

Cathedral's rigorous academic program is both traditional and innovative. The traditional approach means that, from their earliest years at the school, students are taught how to write clearly, read fluently, and compute basic math functions efficiently. The students' studies of literature, science, history, technology, and world languages are fundamental to their Cathedral education. Their experiences are deepened through music, the visual arts, physical education, field trips designed to enhance the curriculum, and performance opportunities for every grade level.

As educators, we must instruct and empower children to challenge assumptions and ask questions in order to become responsible citizens in a diverse world. At The Cathedral School, we believe that the recognition and appreciation of differences in race, socioeconomic status, cultural or religious tradition, age, gender, ability, and sexual orientation enhance the individual's sense of identity and broaden respect for others. Through curriculum and informal school experiences, children at The Cathedral School come to understand the inherent value of all people.

Kindergarten Program; Elementary Program; Lower School Program; Middle School Program; Athletics Program; Arts Program; Enrichment Program. The students' studies of literature, science, history, technology, and world languages are a fundamental part of the curriculum. Their experiences are deepened through music, the visual arts, physical education, field trips and performance opportunities for every grade level.

We believe the education of children must be about creating structure, providing support, and offering a challenging curriculum and engaging experiences. As an institution, however, we must always remember to provide ample space for children’s ideas, their dreams, and their unique voices. Together, these are what fuel their fires and nourish their souls. The Cathedral School offers an environment that sustains academic structure and intellectual freedom equally. Our values and ideals are lived out on a daily basis.

The chorister program of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine represents a unique partnership between the Cathedral and The Cathedral School. Approximately 22 Cathedral School students drawn from the fourth through eighth grades practice three afternoons a week and sing for services on Sunday mornings during the school year. In addition, The Choristers sing two full choral evensongs a month and at weekly school evensongs. Choristers sing additional concerts at Christmas and occasional professional engagements. Recent choir tours have taken the Choristers to Japan, England, and Colonial Williamsburg. Rehearsing, singing for services, and preparing for special events enables choristers to learn a large and varied repertoire of sacred music.

Starting in the kindergarten, technology skills are integrated into the curriculum, and students utilize both the technology lab and computers in each classroom. The Director of Technology works closely with classroom teachers to develop projects that enhance curriculum, utilize appropriate software, and integrate progressively more sophisticated technology skills at each grade level. In addition to curricular projects, students achieve proficiency in keyboarding through guided practice beginning in the third grade.