YPS Receives $3 Million Smaller Learning Communities Grant

Smaller Learning Communities A significant, ongoing district goal is the development of the smaller learning community environment. This means that the staff knows every child in their school, that no child falls through the cracks, and that every child completes his or her education leaving us well prepared for the future.

The United States Department of Education awarded the Yonkers Public Schools a $3 million competitive grant that helps the District continue the development of the smaller learning community model in our high schools. The District’s ongoing initiative features an interdisciplinary approach to instruction with an emphasis on personalizing the learning environment.

Superintendent of Schools Bernard P. Pierorazio said that the Smaller Learning Communities Grant couldn’t have come at better time. “One of the district’s non-negotiable goals for our high schools is a 5% annual increase in graduation rates through 2014. The extended, focused learning time for students after school, on Saturdays and during the summer, melded with freshman academies and advanced technology infused instruction will support our efforts,” he said. The Superintendent also thanked Congresswoman Nita Lowey and Congressman Eliot Engel for their help in the grant process.

The District doubled the number of students participating in college-bound Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses over the past four years. More than 1,100 AP and IB exams were administered to students in May 2007. Members of the Class of 2007 were accepted at 153 colleges and universities, and were offered $13,932,925 in college scholarships.