Frequently Asked Questions

Our school is nestled in Manhattan’s vibrant Upper West Side, in a lively neighborhood that blends family life, academic institutions, and cultural landmarks. The main building sits on West 112th Street, just off Broadway, placing students and families within easy reach of shops, restaurants, and parks. We’re also a short bus or subway ride from Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, Broadway theaters, and other iconic New York City destinations—making our location both convenient and full of opportunities for learning and exploration beyond the classroom.

See below for our program hours. Please note that After School and Early Morning Care programs are also available to support families. Information about those programs can be found on the Extended Day page.

Students can enroll in our lunch program starting mid-year in kindergarten (5/6s). The program, provided by Butter Beans Kitchen, is open to all students in kindergarten (5/6s) through eighth grade (13/14s) at an additional cost. Students in younger grades enjoy lunch provided by their families.

We provide daily snacks for preschool (3/4s) through first grade (6/7s), such as crackers with fresh fruit or vegetables. As the school year progresses, first graders begin bringing their own snacks from home. Older students are welcome to bring a healthy snack from home.

We are a nut-aware school, so all food brought into the building must be free of peanuts and tree nuts.

The student-to-teacher ratio throughout the school is approximately 6:1. Classroom size varies by grade. In preschool (3/4s) classrooms, the ratio is closer to 4:1.

In the Lower School, each classroom has a head teacher, an associate teacher—who is also a student pursuing their graduate degree at the Bank Street Graduate School of Education—and a mid-day teacher. The Upper School has two head teachers, including a humanities teacher and a math/science teacher.

Approximately 50 percent of students at the School for Children identify as students of color, making Bank Street one of the most diverse independent schools in New York City.

Upper School Sports

Upper School students can join interscholastic sports teams that practice twice a week and compete against other schools.

• Fall: Running club, soccer, volleyball (grades 6–8)
• Winter: Basketball
• Spring: Running club, softball

Lower School Movement & Physical Education

In the early grades, young students build motor skills, impulse control, and confidence through movement classes. They explore concepts of space, time, and energy while developing balance, coordination, and spatial awareness—all through imaginative, creative play. In older grades, movement classes expand to include choreographic principles, such as unison, canon, and call-and-response. Students work in pairs and groups to create original dances. In physical education, students develop strength and endurance through fitness activities and an introduction to team sports. They practice skills for games like soccer, basketball, volleyball, and softball, along with other exercises and recreational games.

Spanish is taught starting in preschool (3/4s) and continues through fourth grade (9/10s). Beginning in fifth grade (10/11s), students have the option of continuing with Spanish or taking French.

The music program varies across divisions and ages.

There are two choruses in the Upper School—one for fifth grade (10/11s) and sixth grade (11/12s), and another for seventh grade (12/13s) and eighth grade (13/14s). Both groups learn a diverse array of music, including classical, spiritual/gospel, folk, and contemporary pieces. The choruses perform at the Upper School winter and spring concerts.

In addition to chorus, Upper School students can participate in Rock Band as part of our After School (Upper) programming.

Our Extended Day programs provide students with engaging opportunities to explore creative, intellectual, physical, and social interests outside of school hours. Options include Early Morning Care for pre-K (4/5s) through fourth grade (9/10s), After School (Lower) for preschool (3/4s) through fourth grade (9/10s), and After School (Upper) for fifth grade (10/11s) through eighth grade (13/14s).

Community is fostered in many ways at Bank Street, such as through school traditions like our annual Fall Fair and other events that bring students, families, and faculty together. For example, classrooms from each division gather in assemblies on a regular basis throughout the school year. In the Lower School, parents and other family grown-ups can join the musical gathering and sing along with their child on certain dates. These assemblies are followed by coffee time for parents once a month. Additionally, the Buddies Program encourages friendship and community between the grades.

Families and parents at Bank Street are engaged members of our community. From volunteering during school events, showing up for class potlucks and picnics, getting together in the morning drop-off, or contributing to our beloved traditions like the annual Fall Fair, December community celebration, or spring benefit, there are many ways to join the school community. Our Parents Association also organizes social events throughout the year, which are excellent opportunities for families to get together, make new friends, and assist their children as well as the school.

We offer early notification of admissions decisions to families who already have one or more children enrolled in the school. Our goal when parents apply for a sibling to be admitted to Bank Street is to keep the family together. However, while Bank Street may be the right fit for one child, it may not be the best fit for another.

Across all grades, two individual conferences with teachers and parents/guardians are scheduled each year. In the Upper School, students attend and lead their conferences.

In addition, Lower School teachers write a year-end report about each student’s strengths and areas of growth over the course of the year. Upper School teachers write two progress reports per year about each student.

At Bank Street, our preschool–eighth grade model combines strong academics with social-emotional growth, giving students both the challenge of rigorous learning and the time and space to fully experience childhood. Bank Street’s age-appropriate curriculum encourages students to question and experiment as they meet new challenges and reach important developmental milestones that support academic growth. By eighth grade, students are confident, curious, and well-prepared to excel in demanding high school settings.

Starting in seventh grade, families partner closely with the Director of High School Placement & Exmissions, faculty, and advisors to navigate the high school application process. This individualized guidance helps each student find a best-fit high school—and later, a college—where they can continue to thrive.

Social-emotional learning is at the heart of a Bank Street education. Teachers intentionally create classroom communities where students practice empathy, collaboration, and conflict resolution every day. Through group projects, class meetings, and reflective conversations, children learn to express themselves, listen to others, and navigate relationships with confidence.

Beyond the classroom, students build strong connections through recess, field trips, after school programs and sports, and shared traditions. These experiences foster a sense of belonging and community, and many of our students form close friendships that last well beyond their years at Bank Street.

At Bank Street, literacy begins with our youngest learners as they develop oral language skills and learn to make meaning of the world around them. As children grow, they build a solid foundation through structured, evidence-based phonics instruction with the Fundations program, ensuring they have the building blocks for reading and writing, as well as spelling. Alongside these skills, students are immersed in rich stories that spark imagination, deepen vocabulary, and nurture a lifelong love of literature.

Our approach combines the joy of reading with the essential strategies children need to become confident, thoughtful readers and writers who can engage with ideas and communicate effectively. Visit our Program & Academics page to learn more about our curriculum, or explore our Supporting Student Success page to view specialized support for students.

Clubs bring energy and creativity to Upper School life, giving students in fifth (10/11s) through eighth (13/14s) grade the chance to explore passions, try new things, and build connections beyond the classroom. Each year brings fresh opportunities shaped by student interests and schedules, making the experience dynamic and exciting. To learn about extracurricular activities and other opportunities for students, visit our Student Life page.

Bank Street has a robust set of health and safety policies in place to help curb the transmission of COVID-19.