On June 12, the Bank Street School for Children community celebrated the graduation of 35 eighth-grade students. The commencement ceremony brought together families, friends, faculty, and staff to recognize the students’ growth and accomplishments as thoughtful, confident learners prepared for high school and beyond.
Members of the Class of 2026 came to Bank Street through a variety of paths, with some beginning their journey as young children in the Bank Street Family Center, others joining the School for Children as 3- and 4-year-olds, and others finding their place in the community in later years.
During their time at the School for Children, students explored the world through immersive learning experiences, including hands-on investigations, local neighborhood studies, creative performances, science experiments, thought-provoking debates, and enriching trips beyond the classroom. Through this active approach to learning, they built a strong academic foundation across subjects and developed the confidence to think critically, collaborate, solve complex problems, and advocate for themselves and others.
This confidence was palpable throughout the ceremony. In a cherished Bank Street tradition, every graduating student prepared and delivered a personal speech, sharing memories from their time at Bank Street and the lessons they will carry with them into the future.
In her commencement speech, Melanie Bryon, Head of the School for Children and Dean of Children’s Programs, recalled the remarkable growth she has witnessed. “Bank Street helps you figure out who you are as an individual—what your strengths are, what you’re passionate about, and how you can contribute to your community,” she told graduates. “Go out into the world and teach others your special gifts.”
This fall, the School for Children’s Class of 2026 will begin the next chapter of their educational journeys at an extraordinary range of schools. Across the city and broader region, students were accepted to independent schools, specialized public high schools, arts programs, and boarding schools. Acceptances include Horace Mann School, Trinity School, The Dalton School, Riverdale Country School, Friends Seminary, Ethical Culture Fieldston, Stuyvesant High School, LaGuardia High School for Performing Arts, Choate, The Masters School, George School, and many more.
The breadth of these acceptances highlights the diverse interests, strengths, and goals of the graduating class, as well as the strong academic foundation and sense of self that students develop in a preschool through eighth grade community. Throughout the high school placement process, Bank Street students and families receive guided support as they identify the school that is the right fit for their interests and goals and where they can continue to grow, be challenged, and thrive.
As the ceremony concluded, students crossed the stage and received their diplomas to the cheers of their family, friends, and teachers. Student performances of Stevie Nicks’ “Landslide” and Harry Styles’ “Sign of the Times” provided a fitting close to the celebration, honoring their Bank Street journeys and the exciting possibilities ahead.
Congratulations to the Bank Street School for Children Class of 2026!