The Cathedral School
The Cathedral School
The Cathedral School in New York City stands out among other schools due to its unique features. The school boasts a picturesque environment, resembling a miniature Central Park, with greenery, gardens, and artwork. Located in the serene Morningside Heights campus, which is home to three peacocks, the school aims to nurture students' natural curiosity and develop their passion for lifelong learning. The school offers a rigorous academic program that blends innovation and tradition, from sophisticated STEAM projects for 3rd graders to a robust Latin program in the Upper School. The wholehearted faculty of the school challenges and supports Cathedral students from kindergarten to 8th grade, helping them become inventive thinkers, discerning scholars, and culturally responsive leaders.
The educational institution has kept the traditional charm of their Collegiate Gothic-style building intact, but they have also expanded their learning spaces to cater to the contemporary requirements of their academic community. In 2019, they finished their Expansion Project, which added 12,000 square feet of modernized spaces for research and teamwork, like an Innovation Lab and a well-lit Library and Media Center. This additional footage proved advantageous for the school as it allowed them to continue in-person classes safely during the COVID-19 pandemic by maintaining appropriate social distance.
Programs in The Cathedral School
Laura Higgins, Head of Lower School, emphasizes the importance of sending children to Cathedral School, stating that it's not just the school's small size and low student-to-teacher ratio that sets it apart. The school is devoted to building meaningful relationships with students and their families. The faculty knows when to push and when to pull, encouraging critical thinking and depth of expression. They foster an environment where students are encouraged to ask questions, debate, explore, build, and learn to work together while simultaneously building a strong foundation of basic skills across all subjects.
The Cathedral School's curriculum starts with the Kindergarten program, which is a year focused on exploring and belonging. The school emphasizes building relationships that will guide students throughout their elementary years. Kindergarten students have interactions within their self-contained Kindergarten Center and are paired with older student leaders and buddies to experience their place in the larger school community. The year-long Farm Project, which begins and ends with visits to farms, offers an opportunity for students to delve into questions about nature, food science, art, culture, reading, writing, ethics, conservation, and social justice. Field trips are an essential part of the unit, including a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
First graders at The Cathedral School continue their learning journey by cracking the reading code and exploring patterns in numbers and shapes. They also investigate the broader neighborhood and study the Cathedral School’s history, design, and place in the world. The school has an award-winning identity program, and the Understanding Differences Curriculum for first graders expands it to include discussions of diversity in ability, both physical and mental. The curriculum, stretching over several months in the fall and winter, begins with a unit on wheelchair access and extends to cover topics such as autism, Down Syndrome, deafness, and blindness. The Understanding Differences Curriculum culminates in a week-long charity drive called Pennies for Puppies, where the first graders participate in bake sales and read-a-thons to raise money to train Seeing Eye dogs.
The Cathedral School's second-grade program is focused on teaching children problem-solving skills. Students engage in various activities such as engineering, bridge building, and honing their reading and writing skills to interact with people outside their neighborhood. With the help of their teachers, they learn how to become advocates for themselves and others. The second-grade curriculum of Cathedral School emphasizes transportation and urban planning in their social studies curriculum, while the STEAM curriculum offers the Bridge Project. The project begins with a tour of the city's bridges to provide inspiration for the students to create their own bridge designs. The designs must meet budget and engineering specifications, and the students build them, then use a weighted car to test their performance.
The third-grade program at Cathedral School is designed to enhance students' reading and communication skills. Students are encouraged to discuss texts and share their ideas. In addition, they explore the immigrant experience that shaped New York City's history through various group projects. These projects help the students to learn how to solve problems and handle failure.
The fourth-grade students at Cathedral School are responsible for taking on new privileges and responsibilities and setting an example for the younger students. They continue to expand their knowledge in reading, writing, and math, while also exploring broader concepts such as government, geography, and politics.
In fifth grade at Cathedral School, students are transitioning to the Upper School community while also building upon the skills they have learned in Lower School. The curriculum aims to help students establish their own identities and develop their voices. The essential question in social studies is centered on how objects define us, which is explored through the multifaceted Artifact Project. Students examine objects that define them and those that have defined cultures throughout history. In English, literature is used to teach students how characters relate to objects as symbols of greater aspirations. In social studies, students research and create shadow boxes that place significant historical objects in their proper context.
In Cathedral School, the focus of sixth grade is on students' progress and advancement as both learners and leaders. They learn about the origins of ancient civilizations and cultures, explore math and science concepts in various ways, and study Latin as one of their six core academic subjects. Additionally, they engage in the Social Justice and Equity curriculum and participate in the Civilization Play to further enhance their voices within the Cathedral School community.
Seventh grade at Cathedral School takes advantage of students' ability to think more abstractly and conceptually. Students are encouraged to reflect on their roles in the community and their connection to the world while also viewing themselves as change agents. Seventh-grade students at Cathedral take on Shakespeare performances in The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, which provides them with the opportunity to showcase their talents.
The Cathedral School's curriculum for eighth-graders encourages students to investigate the notion of leadership. Being the oldest members of the school community, they are presented with a range of leadership roles, formal and informal, both in class and outside. The year begins with a Leadership Lab where students can discover their individual leadership style. The program concentrates on developing skills necessary for success in high school, while also taking into account the particular needs of this age group.
Accommodation in The Cathedral School
The Cathedral School recognizes the significance of comfortable and safe accommodations for its students. While the school does not provide housing, it offers various resources and assistance to aid students in finding suitable dwellings in the lively city of New York.
For overseas students, the Cathedral School has a team dedicated to helping them locate appropriate housing options. This team offers guidance in finding homestays, apartments, and other housing arrangements that suit their budget and requirements. They also provide valuable advice on navigating the housing market in New York City. Homestays are a popular choice for international students, and the Cathedral School has established partnerships with reliable homestay agencies that provide a range of services. These services include a private room, meals, and access to shared spaces such as the kitchen and living room. Homestays typically cost between $1,500 and $2,500 per month, depending on the location and services offered.
Another way to find housing for students is to rent an apartment with roommates. The housing team can provide information on apartment listings and roommate matching services. The price of apartments in New York City varies widely depending on their size, location, and amenities. However, students can expect to pay between $1,500 and $4,000 per month for a shared apartment.
Future Prospects after study in The Cathedral School
The Cathedral School equips its graduates with a wealth of opportunities as they transition to the next phase of their journey. For international students who desire to stay in the US after graduation, there are several choices available to them.
Obtaining a post-graduation work permit would be a first option to consider. Students who have completed their studies at an accredited institution in the US may apply for either Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) programs. These programs enable students to gain work experience in their field of study for up to 12 months, and in specific STEM fields, an extension is possible.
For those who aspire to pursue a long-term profession in the US, acquiring permanent resident status may be the next step. This can be achieved through employer or family sponsorship, among other means. With permanent resident status, individuals may reside and work in the US indefinitely, obtaining the same benefits as US citizens.
Lastly, for those who have developed a fondness for the American lifestyle, obtaining US citizenship is another choice. The process involves fulfilling certain eligibility requirements, passing an English language and civics test, and taking an oath of allegiance to the US. Being a US citizen confers the right to vote, run for public office, and access all the benefits of living in this prosperous society.
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