Early Childhood Program (Kindergarten)
ur youngest pupils at CBA enjoy many of the same benefits of our older students: a rich, individualized academic program; comprehensive arts instruction during their school day; a nurturing, socially-emotionally aware approach to scholastics; a strong spirit of service; hands-on lessons to allow for universal success; a low student : teacher ratio; a goals'-based program for all learners. In addition, our Early Childhood students are taught in a separate wing of our building where they have the unique ability to both interact socially throughout their entire program and selectively throughout the upper grade levels via our service programs. Just like their elder counterparts, our TK through 2nd graders enjoy putting on performances throughout the year, engaging in gallery events, and partaking in cultural experiences. Families of these students are often invited to collaborate in their children's learning and to support classroom teachers in special events and activities, leading to a strong family feel in our EC program.
Our Early Childhood team of teachers is made up of the best of the best in local educators. They bring to our school years of experience and mountains of passion for these grade levels. They are supported by our SEL counselor, whose experience with this age level is also extensive. Their firm belief in experiential-based education allows for our EC program to flow smoothly into the rest of the CBA academic system. Students coming out of our EC are not only well-prepared academically for our Primary School, they are also prepared emotionally, artistically, and communally. Their teachers utilize strong programs such as Orton-Gillingham and Prevention of Academic Failure to ensure the success of all learners. Moreover, their nurturing, creative, and supportive approach to instruction ensures that all children in their program feel enormously safe, respected, and loved. These "first teachers" will always hold a special place in your child's heart, as well as in yours, and their doors will remain open to you and your children far beyond their graduation from CBA.
There are countless unique aspects of our program at this earliest level, and every piece of data regarding best practice for this age of student has been researched and utilized to build the EC school within our larger academy. New York State's late cutoff date is often a topic of controversy, and many parents feel squeezed by pressures from all angles regarding when and how to start their child's "real" school journey. Please know that your child is safe in our EC classroom. Here we maintain a 5:1 student ratio rather than our school's usual max of 10:1 to ensure more individual time. It is also very important to note that admission into our Early Childhood Program locks your youngster in for years to come. Until students at CBA enter the Intermediate School in 7th grade, there remain only TEN SLOTS per grade level. Our students grow together as a unit throughout their years at CBA, so giving them the opportunity to join early not only secures their slot but ensures their experience of every benefit CBA has to offer.
Our Early Childhood team of teachers is made up of the best of the best in local educators. They bring to our school years of experience and mountains of passion for these grade levels. They are supported by our SEL counselor, whose experience with this age level is also extensive. Their firm belief in experiential-based education allows for our EC program to flow smoothly into the rest of the CBA academic system. Students coming out of our EC are not only well-prepared academically for our Primary School, they are also prepared emotionally, artistically, and communally. Their teachers utilize strong programs such as Orton-Gillingham and Prevention of Academic Failure to ensure the success of all learners. Moreover, their nurturing, creative, and supportive approach to instruction ensures that all children in their program feel enormously safe, respected, and loved. These "first teachers" will always hold a special place in your child's heart, as well as in yours, and their doors will remain open to you and your children far beyond their graduation from CBA.
There are countless unique aspects of our program at this earliest level, and every piece of data regarding best practice for this age of student has been researched and utilized to build the EC school within our larger academy. New York State's late cutoff date is often a topic of controversy, and many parents feel squeezed by pressures from all angles regarding when and how to start their child's "real" school journey. Please know that your child is safe in our EC classroom. Here we maintain a 5:1 student ratio rather than our school's usual max of 10:1 to ensure more individual time. It is also very important to note that admission into our Early Childhood Program locks your youngster in for years to come. Until students at CBA enter the Intermediate School in 7th grade, there remain only TEN SLOTS per grade level. Our students grow together as a unit throughout their years at CBA, so giving them the opportunity to join early not only secures their slot but ensures their experience of every benefit CBA has to offer.
The Primary School (Grades 1-6)
Our young pupils at CBA enjoy many of the same benefits of our older students: a rich, individualized academic program; comprehensive arts instruction during their school day; a nurturing, socially-emotionally aware approach to scholastics; a strong spirit of service; hands-on lessons to allow for universal success; a low student : teacher ratio; a goals'-based program for all learners. In addition, our Primary School students are taught in dual grade groupings, a best practice in education that has been shown to reap enormous benefits socially for youngsters. Primary I encompasses first and second grade; the Primary II class is made up of our third and fourth grade students; Primary III marks the final two years in the Lower School, grades five and six. Just like their elder counterparts, our 1st through 6th graders enjoy putting on performances throughout the year, engaging in gallery events, and partaking in cultural experiences. This stage in their education marks their first ability to be involved in some of CBA's more special traditions like our Spring Musical.
Our Primary School team of teachers is made up of the best of the best in local educators. They bring to our school years of experience and mountains of passion for these grade levels. They are supported by our SEL counselor, whose experience with this age level is also extensive. Their firm belief in experiential-based education allows for a smooth flow coming out of our Early Childhood program. However, the teachers at this level take very seriously their responsibility to prepare students for the increased academic and executive functioning demands of the Intermediate School. Students coming out of our 6th grade are not only well-prepared academically for our Intermediate School, they are also prepared emotionally, artistically, and communally. During each year of Primary School, students take on roles of greater independence and ownership over their own goals. Always guided loving by their teachers, these students have both the safety to fully enjoy their childhoods and become students with a strong sense of self-efficacy.
There are countless unique aspects of our program at this next level, and every piece of data regarding best practice for this age of student has been researched and utilized to build the Primary School program. We are firm believers in everything that the data reveals: pushing students to enter the world of middle school too soon results in anxiety that could easily be avoided by allowing for a fuller Primary School experience. Our Primary School students are still encouraged to dream, to explore, to find the magic in the world around them, and to connect with one another through play. Until students at CBA enter the Intermediate School in 7th grade, there remain only TEN SLOTS per grade level. Our students grow together as a unit throughout their years at CBA, so giving them the opportunity to join early not only secures their slot but ensures their experience of every benefit CBA has to offer.
Our Primary School team of teachers is made up of the best of the best in local educators. They bring to our school years of experience and mountains of passion for these grade levels. They are supported by our SEL counselor, whose experience with this age level is also extensive. Their firm belief in experiential-based education allows for a smooth flow coming out of our Early Childhood program. However, the teachers at this level take very seriously their responsibility to prepare students for the increased academic and executive functioning demands of the Intermediate School. Students coming out of our 6th grade are not only well-prepared academically for our Intermediate School, they are also prepared emotionally, artistically, and communally. During each year of Primary School, students take on roles of greater independence and ownership over their own goals. Always guided loving by their teachers, these students have both the safety to fully enjoy their childhoods and become students with a strong sense of self-efficacy.
There are countless unique aspects of our program at this next level, and every piece of data regarding best practice for this age of student has been researched and utilized to build the Primary School program. We are firm believers in everything that the data reveals: pushing students to enter the world of middle school too soon results in anxiety that could easily be avoided by allowing for a fuller Primary School experience. Our Primary School students are still encouraged to dream, to explore, to find the magic in the world around them, and to connect with one another through play. Until students at CBA enter the Intermediate School in 7th grade, there remain only TEN SLOTS per grade level. Our students grow together as a unit throughout their years at CBA, so giving them the opportunity to join early not only secures their slot but ensures their experience of every benefit CBA has to offer.