The Theme/Philosophy
Smaller Learning Communities
Grades 7-8

• Unique learning environment housing students in grades seven through twelve
  
• The acclaimed International Baccalaureate Programme is the cornerstone of the school’s rigorous curriculum
  
• School uniforms are required of all students
  
• Students who elect to be a part of this academic environment must possess a strong sense of motivation, and students and their parents must affirm their commitment to the high standards of a program of this kind
  
• Continuation in the program from middle school to high school requires middle school students to maintain high academic performance to meet the rigorous high school admission requirements
  

International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme

• Traditional school subjects are taught with a focus on global citizenship, inquiry learning and thematic interdisciplinary units
  
• Students are encouraged to develop intercultural awareness that includes a study of their own traditions and history
  
• All students take a foreign language to promote effective global communication
  
• Students’ intellectual and social development is combined with a strong skills program around five common themes that are embedded across academic subjects referred to as the Areas of Interaction: Approaches to Learning; Community and Service; Health and Social Education; Environment; and Human Ingenuity
  
• Students are guided as they strive to develop the characteristics of International Baccalaureate Learners: inquirers; knowledgeable; thinkers; communicators; principled; open-minded; caring; risk-takers; balanced; and reflective
  
• Mathematics and science are accelerated, whenever possible, in preparation for higher level coursework in the high school program
  

Expanding Our Global Community

Grades 9-12

• The International Baccalaureate Programme is the cornerstone of the school’s college preparatory curriculum and is designed to prepare students for post-graduation entrance to universities in the United States and around the world
  
• Students who are accepted to be part of this rich academic environment should possess a strong sense of motivation and dedication. Both parents and students need to maintain a commitment to fulfilling the high standards of this program.
  
• School uniforms are required of all students

International Baccalaureate Programme (IB):
Honors IB and Diploma
(Admission Requirements)

• Students must have demonstrated high academic performance as part of the entrance requirements. Entrance is based on report card grades, standardized test scores and the selection of Yonkers High School during the application process
  
• Students and parents must sign the school’s Placement Agreement indicating that they will adhere to the school uniform policy and Code of Conduct, as well as maintain their academic standing
  
• MYP/Honors IB courses are offered in grades nine and ten, a required personal project is completed in grade ten
  
• Coursework is focused on philosophy and the integration of knowledge as it influences our world
  
• Students are guided as they strive to develop the characteristics of IB Learners: inquirers; knowledgeable; thinkers; communicators; principled; open-minded; caring; risk-takers; balanced; and reflective.
  
• Students take New York State Regents examinations as well as IB examinations and are required to take a Foreign Language and a visual art or music course
  
• Students graduating with both an IB Diploma as well as a Yonkers High School diploma must fulfill the following requirements:
  
  • Complete and pass courses and examinations in six prescribed areas
    
  • Complete a two-year interdisciplinary seminar; Theory of Knowledge, intended to relate learning from concepts, historical events, current events, and issues of importance in all disciplines
    
  • Compose a 4,000 word research Extended Essay
    
  • Complete the requirements for Creativity, Action, Service,independently fulfilling 150 hours of extracurricular and/or service activities
    
• Although IB courses can only be taken by juniors and seniors, all juniors and seniors are encouraged to take at least two IB courses before they graduate. An official IB certificate will be awarded for each course successfully completed
  
• Graduates can receive college credits and be placed into college honors classes by attaining high scores on their IB examinations
  

The Partners

This school works closely with the following agencies,
institutions and/or colleges:

• International Baccalaureate Organization
  
• Columbia University Teachers College
  
• Iona College
  
• Fordham University
  
• Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts
  
• Nepperhan Community Center
  
• International Baccalaureate Organization
  
• Yonkers Public Library- Riverfront Branch
  
• Yonkers Partners in Education
  
• Yonkers Department of Social Services
  
• Hudson River Museum of Westchester
  
• My Sister’s Place
  
• Jewish Council of Westchester
  
• Junior Achievement of Westchester
  
• Y.P.I.E. - Yonkers Partners in Education

Colleges and Universities:

• Columbia University Teachers College
  
• Fordham University
  
• Iona College
  
• Manhattan College
  
• Sarah Lawrence College
  
• Pace University