Graduate School of Education

Institutional Partnerships

Midtown West School

An educational partnership between Bank Street College of Education and Community School District Two

Midtown West School
328 West 48th Street
New York, NY 10036

Philosophy
Background
Collaboration with Bank Street
A Professional Development School and Training Site
A Magnet School and a School of Choice
High Academic Standards
Special Programs
Enriched Curriculum
Community Connections
Parental Involvement
After-school Program
Peer Tutoring Program
Grants and Awards

Philosophy
The Midtown West School is a working model of the developmental interaction approach to learning developed by early educators of the Bureau of Educational Experiments, which later became Bank Street College of Education. The developmental interaction approach views children not as empty containers into which a standard curriculum should be poured, but as unique human beings whose individuality should be respected and nurtured. Originally an early childhood model, this approach has been extended upward into the curriculum. The children's needs and interests are observed and become the basis of their classroom experience. We emphasize experiential and interactive learning in which the children derive their own meaning from the world around them through hands-on activities. Our school seeks to bring this model into the New York City public schools. The rich diversity of our population creates an exciting classroom environment where many different styles of learning blend harmoniously. The teachers encourage exploration and integration of the home and school in an effort to empower the child as an effective learner.

Background
In the fall of 1989, Community School District Two opened an early childhood learning center consisting of three classes of interaged 4- and 5-year-olds. By fall 1990, the school expanded to five classes and included interaged 6- and 7-year-olds. In 1995, the school had ten classrooms, up to the sixth grade, with about 270 children. This population reflected the diverse backgrounds, talents, and styles that make up the tapestry that is New York City. The school includes children from the immediate district and, because of its unique programming, also attracts children from Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and all the neighborhoods of Manhattan.

Collaboration with Bank Street
Bank Street's method of education is utilized at Midtown West. This method encourages:

  • independent thinking
  • problem-solving skills
  • cooperative, interactive learning
  • a curriculum that teaches children how several disciplines (math, science, social studies) can be integrated to explore a single subject
  • heterogeneous class groupings, an effective educational practice
  • authentic learning experiences innovative use of computers in the classroom, in consultation with the College In addition, Bank Street provides staff development for all teachers, as well as access to seminars and expertise provided on site to Midtown West teachers and parents.

A Professional Development School and Training Site
Our teachers are assisted by graduate and undergraduate students from a number of New York schools, including Bank Street, Columbia Teachers College, Fordham, and the Borough of Manhattan Community College.

A Magnet School and a School of Choice
Children throughout New York City attend Midtown West, making it one of the most ethnically diverse schools in the city.

High Academic Standards
Students at Midtown West are expected to reflect on the quality of their work and to reach their full potential as active learners. Heterogeneous, mixed-aged class groupings give every child the opportunity to master academic and social skills at the developmentally appropriate age.

Special Programs/Enriched Curriculum
Along with rigorous academics, specialty teachers add culture and variety. Every student receives instruction in Spanish, Movement/Physical Education, Art, and Chess. In addition, a "Clubs" program taught by teachers, parents, and community volunteers allows students to explore activities of their own choice.

Community Connections
The work that our school and community partners do together could be well described by adapting an African proverb: "It takes a whole community to raise a school." The following corporations, organizations, and neighborhood institutions help contribute to the success of Midtown West:

Corporations

  • Bank of Tokyo
  • Cravath, Swaine, and Moore
  • Ogilvy Mather
  • Proskauer, Rose, Goetz, and Mendelsohn
  • Rockefeller Group, Inc.
  • Ziccardi Partners, Inc.

Arts Connections

  • Ballet de Puerto Rico
  • New York Youth Theater

Neighborhood Partners

  • Hartley House
  • Post Graduate Institute For Mental Health
  • Roosevelt Hospital

Parental Involvement
A strong, active Parents' Association keeps parents closely involved in the mission of the school, is instrumental in raising additional funds for enrichment programs, and sponsors numerous family events throughout the year.

After-School Program
Midtown West is aware of the needs of working parents and offers an on-site after-school program, from 3:00-6:00, staffed by Midtown West teachers, who integrate after-school activities with what children are learning in the classroom. Financial assistance for after-school is available to qualified parents. In addition, any Midtown West student may enroll in one of the after-school classes in computers, chess, modern and tap dance, and Suzuki method of violin.

Peer Tutoring Program
In collaboration with the Professional Performing Arts School and Hudson River Middle School, our young students are engaged in a peer tutoring program. This program provides opportunities for middle-school students to interact with and support the work of young children.

Grants and Awards
The Midtown West School has been the recipient of numerous awards and grants, including:

  • Learning for Life Program Plan for Social Excellence, Inc. Six years of grants for School / Family / Community partnership
  • 1995 Recipient of Award in Overall Excellence, Redbook's America's Best Schools Project
  • Grant supporting research in parent / teacher assessment, Institute for Responsive Education, Boston University
  • Planning grant for innovative school day design, Aaron Diamond Foundation
  • Grant for multicultural and community development, New York City Mayor's Office
  • Award for the African American Burial Ground project
  • Wildlife Conservationfor Society Honoree
  • Math Leadership Grant, National Science Foundation
  • Grants from The Rockefeller Group and Chemical Bank

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