sCHOOL bLOG

We’ve seen this time and again, your student is in the 6th grade, she’s been going to school with the same kids since kindergarten, and suddenly things start going downhill socially or academically. But what is there to do? You know your current school isn’t giving her what she needs, but won’t moving her be too traumatic? Is it too late in the game to make this transition?

The time has come, your baby is ready to leave the nest and transition into kindergarten. Or is she? Not all children develop at the same rate, and not all children will be ready to advance to kindergarten when schools recommend it.

At St. Barnabas we’re proud to say that nearly one-quarter of our student body are people from minority communities. As other private education institutions are criticized for a lack of diversity, we are charging ahead on a mission to promote diversity on our campus. Our students come from different communities and some from different countries, but is it enough to put students together on the same campus and call it diversity? We think there are very specific factors that make private education a great place for building a diverse community.

You’re probably here perusing our website because you've done your research, and you’re convinced that private education may be the best fit for your student. We’re so glad to hear that, but you may not know what it is that sets St. Barnabas apart from other schools like it. So before you make this huge choice for your family, take a moment to dive into the details that make St. Barnabas such a special place for your family.

In early childhood, school is not simply about memorizing facts or tackling complex equations. Your child is learning many critical skills that help them develop into well-functioning learners. One of the best ways to integrate these basic skills into the classroom is through art.

We know that a private education is a top choice for many parents, but we don’t expect you to take our word for it. Statistical support for the long-term benefits that a private education has for children, especially when they begin in kindergarten.

There are some very clear advantages to a private education that most people are familiar with. Having the ability to infuse our teaching with our spiritual beliefs, small class sizes, and a rigorous curriculum are some of the most evident. But some of our greatest advantages are born from the fact that decisions about our curriculum and our campus are made by leaders who are active members of our community.

Getting a good education is so important to your child’s future success. The things they learn today are the foundation that will prepare them for SATs and college exams down the line. But school is a more valuable resource for children than the learning of educational concepts and mastering of skills. School is where children learn about teamwork, and it is the place where they are socialized to become the future leaders of our world. Are your children getting the most of their education?

School uniforms are a hotly debated topic of conversation. For many years leaders in public education have discussed whether or not to join their private education counterparts in requiring uniforms for all students. However, in private education, uniforms have been the standard for decades and there is clear research showing the positive impact these policies have on students.

St. Barnabas’ 8th-grade class is months away from a big, new transition. For many students, after nearly a decade on our campus, the next stage in their education will land them on a public school campus for the very first time this August. This transition, like all others in life, brings a mixed bag of emotions including excitement and fear.