The Caedmon School
The Caedmon School
The Caedmon School, situated on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, is an independent preschool and elementary school with a coeducational program. Established in 1962, the school follows a Montessori curriculum, which emphasizes individual discovery and empathy.
With around 255 students currently enrolled from Nursery to Fifth grade, the Caedmon School's graduates have excelled in both public and private middle schools in NYC and beyond. The school nurtures natural curiosity in students and values perspectives different from their own. The school is committed to creating and sustaining a community that embraces diversity and commonalities and fosters respect, safety, and empathy. Through this approach, the school aims to develop compassionate, responsible, and courageous citizens.
Programs in The Caedmon School
At the Caedmon School, one of the unique aspects of their education is their emphasis on cherishing childhood years. The school's preschool program for two-year-olds spans and celebrates the length of childhood, making it one of the few early childhood programs in New York City to do so. The program is designed to foster confidence, competence, and independence in first-time school children through a creative and collaborative approach to academic excellence. With a small student-teacher ratio of 6:1, teachers can provide special attention to help students achieve their goals and prepare for their subsequent move to the Early Program.
Predictable routines, a logical organization of materials, and painstakingly designed activities in the preschool program, which emphasizes social interaction, gradually teach kids how to function in a school context. The program emphasizes values such as "following the rules," "putting your work away," and "taking turns" to promote an awareness and consideration of others. Specialist classes such as music, movement, and yoga are also offered to students. In the Early Program, classrooms are mixed-age and provide an authentic Montessori experience for three and four-year-olds. With a student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1, the program provides individual attention to students.
In the Caedmon School's preschool program, children of different ages are placed together in the same classroom for a two-year period. This provides an opportunity for the younger children to learn from and look up to their older classmates, and for the older children to develop a sense of responsibility and leadership by helping their younger peers. The classroom is designed as a prepared environment, with traditional Montessori materials and play-based activities to encourage cognitive, sensory, social, emotional, and creative growth. The teacher acts as a facilitator, encouraging children to take charge of their own learning and providing guidance as needed. Children are encouraged to use their words and develop empathy and compassion, while their progress is continuously monitored and recorded by the teachers. The curriculum includes specialist classes in art, music, movement, science, and more, to provide an immersive and well-rounded learning experience.
At the Caedmon School, kindergarten students are exposed to a combination of Montessori learning and traditional elementary education. Unlike the mixed-page classes in Preschool and Early Program, all students in kindergarten are five years old. Open-ended activities and the type of directed group instruction found in kindergarten courses alternate daily on the timetable. Through these activities, children learn important skills such as completing tasks within specific time frames, listening, expressing themselves, working independently and collaboratively, and behaving responsibly.
Teachers have great flexibility in tailoring their instruction to meet the unique learning styles and levels of each child. The language arts curriculum focuses on reading and writing, while math emphasizes understanding number concepts and problem-solving. Kindergarten students participate in specialist classes such as Spanish, Technology, STEAM, Library, Art, Violin, Music, P.E., and Yoga. The classroom teachers maintain close communication with the specialist teachers to ensure continuity and connections among the different classes in the elementary program, including first and second grades, third and fourth grades, and fifth grade.
In the Caedmon School's Mixed-Age class, First and Second-grade students are combined and taught by the same teacher for two years. The program fosters both academic and social development in a supportive and non-competitive environment. The small groups allow for a personalized approach to teaching and the flexible grouping ensures that each child receives individualized attention. The homogeneous groups enable students to learn from each other's strengths and styles of learning. The classroom provides a stimulating environment that encourages intellectual growth and academic challenges.
In the Middle Level grades at the Caedmon School, students are encouraged to think critically and creatively about what they are learning. The curriculum is designed to have practical applications and is increasingly integrated. Students in the third and fourth grades have utilization of libraries and the internet for research purposes and to complete lengthy writing and social studies assignments. They also participate in literary discussions and debates. The children are grouped according to their skill level for reading and mathematics, but they also have opportunities to meet as a whole group for social studies, math congresses, or writing workshops. Technology skills are integrated into many assignments to further enhance their learning. Homework becomes more challenging and disciplined, with multiple assignments given each evening. This requires the children to learn how to organize their time outside of the classroom, preparing them for the transition to middle school.
The oldest students at the Caedmon School are fifth graders who spend the year focusing on their academic and social growth in preparation for the challenges they will face in middle school. The curriculum is tailored to each student's individual learning style, strengths, and needs. The year is marked by long-term assignments and group projects that require strong time management, study skills, and organization. Graded assignments are introduced to prepare the children for the ongoing schools, and they receive clear grading criteria rubrics to help them understand what is expected of them and how to meet their goals.
The Transition to Middle School
The Caedmon School program is notable for the comprehensive preparation it provides to students for middle school and beyond, and for the collaborative partnerships formed with families as they get to know their children over the years. Every graduating senior’s transition to middle school is paramount, and at the Caedmon School, the staff strives to deeply understand every child’s learning style, interests, and social development, allowing them to find the most suitable middle school for each student.
The benefits of a Nursery through Fifth grade academic experience at the Caedmon School are many, including continued support from the Head and Assistant Head of School starting in Fourth grade, which assists families in finding an appropriate independent or public middle school for their child, while also providing a better understanding of their child's strengths, interests, and learning style. the Caedmon School's younger students have opportunities to take on leadership roles, act as mentors, and serve as role models to younger students. Fifth grade students become mindful and reflective, and are encouraged to practice self-advocacy as they discuss their unique qualities, goals, and experiences when considering the middle schools that are best suited for them.
Accommodation in The Caedmon School
While the Caedmon School does not offer housing for students, there are various alternatives available for families seeking housing on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. For international students, there are homestay programs offered by different organizations. Homestay programs usually include a private bedroom and meals, allowing international students to fully immerse into new culture.
Another option is to rent apartments or hotel rooms in the area. Rental prices vary based on location, size, and amenities. On average, a studio apartment on the Upper East Side costs between $1,500 USD to $3,000 USD per month. Popular hotels in the area include with nightly rates ranging from $400 USD to $1,000 USD per night.
To ensure a safe and comfortable living situation for their children during their time at The Caedmon School, families are encouraged to research and plan ahead regardless of the option chosen.
Future Prospects after study in The Caedmon School
The Caedmon School is a preparatory institution that focuses on providing a strong academic foundation to its students. After graduation, international students may be eligible for post-graduation work permits such as Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) programs, which allow students to work in the United States for a certain period after completing their studies.
Graduates from The Caedmon School who desire to live long-term in the United States can consider obtaining permanent resident status, which is commonly referred to as a green card. This status permits individuals to work and reside permanently in the country. Nevertheless, the process of acquiring a green card can be complicated and time-consuming, and meeting specific requirements and limitations is necessary.Given the country's thriving economy and numerous opportunities, the Caedmon School graduates may opt to pursue American citizenship to be able to remain permanently in the U.S. The process of naturalization include meeting a number of qualifying conditions, passing a citizenship test, and meeting other requirements in order to become a citizen of the United States. Becoming a citizen of the United States provides multiple advantages such as voting rights, eligibility for federal jobs, and the ability to travel with a U.S. passport.
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