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Columbus School
is an elementary school
with 629 students in pre-kindergarten, all-day kindergarten and grades one through six.
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The staff consists primarily of three classes per grade level with 24 classroom teachers; three ESL teachers (to assist our Limited English Proficiency (LEP) population); an early intervention teacher; a math specialist; specialists in art, music, physical education and library/media; a psychologist, a social worker, a nurse, six teacher aides and a custodial staff.
We have a diverse student population, primarily African American, Caucasian and Hispanic with a substantial segment of students of Portuguese and Asian origin. A significant element of the educational process at Columbus School is the recognition that a large portion of the student body (approximately 26%) is not conversant in the English Language and requires special ESL attention. As a side issue to this aspect of our student body, Columbus School endeavors to involve the students in multi-cultural activities which celebrate their ethnic background and their familial customs.
It should be noted that of special concern in the management of a student body of such young ages and diverse backgrounds is the fact that the Columbus faculty must recognize that the majority of students come from poverty level homes or broken homes. In many instances, the adults with whom the students reside cannot assist them in their schoolwork because of the language barrier. This adds an additional burden upon the faculty. In addition, a large proportion (approximately 57%) of the students are eligible for the State Free Lunch Program.
At Columbus, we have a variety of programs that provide students with a rich school experience and help them reach their potential. These programs include lunchtime basketball, culminating in a student/faculty basketball game; after-school programs such as tutoring; Parents as Reading Partners program initiated by the Media Center; monthly Excellence in Writing assemblies where students read aloud their own exemplary work; a book publishing program; winter and spring musical extravaganzas; Book in a Bag ; and field day.
The 4th grade teachers at Columbus Elementary School will be participating in the ELA (English Language Arts) Program. Also, arrangements have been made for an after-school program to help parents (English as a Second Language) through a special grant.
Of particular note - we are proud that Columbus School excelled in the ELA, Science and Math examinations. To emphasize, at the Columbus Elementary School, 100% of the 4th graders met or exceeded the standards in English in 2003, the only school in Westchester County attaining 100%. We, at Columbus are very proud of our teachers and students who worked very hard and diligently to attain such an accomplishment.
At Columbus School, we feel that it is of primary importance for the faculty to have a guiding principle directing our expectations. Each child is an individual that must be taught to live and work productively within a group. We at Columbus believe and live by the premise that "no child will be left behind."
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