New Rochelle High School prides itself on diversity. About 3,400 students from 60 countries pass through its doors. The high school offers a vast array of more than 240 desirable courses, including architecture, business, fine arts, computer science and 40 Advanced Placement and honors classes.
It also offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum that is aligned to the common core learning standards. Committed to developing fully prepared and engaged 21st century citizens, the New Rochelle High School academic program provides students with opportunities to explore a wide variety of interests beyond the state mandated curriculum.
The high school is part of the award-winning City School District of New Rochelle, which is home to nearly 11,000 students and 10 schools. Other schools include an early childhood center, six elementary schools and two middle schools.
The district is in the midst of a five-year, $106.5 million strategic improvement plan. The bond, approved by voters, is aimed at funding fund health and safety upgrades to every school.
The district is committed to providing a learning environment where the students are challenged, engaged and love to learn. Recently, the district celebrated many student accomplishments, including:
- Students accepted to every Ivy League school, as well as six National Merit Scholarship finalists in the 2018 graduating class.
- Chess team wins.
- Finalists in the MIT Inspire Competition.
- A U.S. Presidential Scholar.
- Division 1 college athletic scholarships.
- Winning the Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association Stock Market Game.
- Music, art and theater recognitions.
The district believes in educating the whole child – meaning educating the family as well. For example, the district has partnered with My Sisters’ Place, a domestic violence awareness organization. Since 2011, the organization has gone into the district’s schools to teach and model examples of healthy relationships and to define and expose signs of abuse. An extension of this partnership is Project Team On, which provides training and education to cheer, football, soccer and volleyball teams, as well as workshops for coaches, older students and their parents.
The district’s Vision 2020 plan aims to reduce the achievement gap – a national goal emphasized by many educational experts and associations. In other words, they are using data to even the educational playing field by diminishing disparities in outcomes related to categories like race, disability and geography. Another major goal is to grow a staff that more ethnically resembles the student body.
For more information about the New Rochelle Board of Education, visit www.nred.org.
The New Rochelle area is also home to several private schools. Thornton-Donovan (www.td.edu) offers a dynamic, hands-on progressive education for academically talented students in grades K-12. Established in 1901, it is one of the oldest private schools in Westchester County, New York. The school is also affordable with tuition at a rate that reflects the current economic situation, and also roughly half the rate of other Westchester private schools.
The Thornton-Donovan education is customized to students’ interests and talents. Students progress in subject areas based on their ability and curiosity, not their grade level. Small class size, usually eight to 14 students, makes this approach to learning possible. Encouraging children to develop into the persons they will become, unhindered in exploration of their passions, is the key to a Thornton-Donovan education.
Another private school dedicated to alternative education is The Hallen School (www.thehallenschool.net). It was founded in Westchester County in 1972 to provide an alternative educational setting to address the cHALLENges students with disabilities face in school and in their community. The Hallen School is a New York State Education Department approved and funded private school (special education school) for students ranging from 5 to 21 years of age.
For toddlers and under age school children, New Rochelle also has several reputable choices. Anna & Jack’s Treehouse, has an esteemed nursery school and daycare which has the ability to watch your child live streaming throughout the day. Hudson Country Montessori School has been in operation since 1972 and extended its educational reach from nursery school through the 8th grade. Another cherished program is with New Rochelle Day Nursery which also provides care to meet the demands of working parents.
Higher Education
Iona College is a Catholic school in Westchester County, New York. Undergraduate students at Iona College can expect small class sizes and can choose from more than 45 bachelor’s degree programs in the School of Arts and Science and the Hagan School of Business. Graduate students have about 30 programs to choose from within the two schools as well. Iona is ranked #68 (tie) in Regional Universities North and #87 in Best Value Schools by US News & World Report 2019. The Gaels won their 4th Straight MAAC Mens Basketball Championship Title.
For more than 80 years, Monroe College has dedicated itself to providing career-oriented education and training that maximizes student success. The College provides well-developed support systems both in and out of the classroom, allowing students who are serious about their goals to thrive. They are ranked #90 in Regional Universities North U.S. News & World Report 2019.New Rochelle
Public Library
1 Library Plz.
New Rochelle, NY, 10801
Phone: (914) 632-7878
Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, Tuesday & Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday; Closed Sunday
Huguenot Children’s Library
794 North Ave.
New Rochelle, NY 10804
Phone: (914) 632-8954
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday & Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday; Closed Saturday & Sunday