York Preparatory School


York Preparatory School commonly referred to as York Prep School, is an independent, university-preparatory school in the Upper West Side area of Manhattan, New York City, near Lincoln Square.
The coeducational school provides instruction to approximately 410 students between 6th and 12th grades. The student:teacher ratio is 5:1.
York Prep is approved by the New York State Board of Regents and accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
For the 2020–2021 school year, tuition is US$55,000 including fees for students in every grade, tuition for students in the school's ITP program is $70,000, and tuition for students in the school's "Jump Start" program is $82,500.

History

Founded by Ronald and Jayme Stewart, York Prep opened its doors in September 1969 to 158 students in grades 6-12 and by 1972 had 212 students. The school is family-based, with founder Ronald Stewart serving as headmaster and his wife Jayme Stewart as director of college guidance. Jayme Stewart, who has shared college entry tips with CNN, is also the author of a 1991 book, How to Get into the College of Your Choice: And How to Finance It.

Academics

The curriculum provides a foundation in the traditional core subjects of a liberal arts education—English, mathematics, social studies, science, and foreign language. In addition, students can choose from a wide range of specialized electives.
The school uses a system called “tracking,” which places students in one of several ability groups available in every subject area. This allows students to work at an advanced pace through Honors courses and the Scholars Program, in subjects in which they excel, and at a moderate pace in those subjects where they need more guidance.
The York Prep Scholars Program is a three-year sequence which provides a more challenging curriculum for York's most academically able students. Units on such topics as “Neuroscience,” “Italian Renaissance Art,” “Statistics,” and “Shakespeare Performance” are presented independently in mini-courses taught by members of the faculty who focus on their particular intellectual passions and specialties. In 2014, the program was expanded to include “Junior Scholars” and "Pre-Scholars" as well.
York Prep offers a Jump Start Program at supplemental cost to provide assistance to students with different learning styles and learning disabilities. The program offers participants two weekly one-on-one 40 minutes sessions with their assigned Jump Start teachers, morning check-ins with their teachers, and supervised group study sessions after school.

Sports and activities

York Prep offers the following sports:
Clubs and activities include Beekeepers Society, Book Club, Broadway Club, Chess Backgammon and Games Club, CPR/AED Club, Dance and Zumba Club, D.E.A.R. Club, Doctor Who Club, Environmental & Gardeners Club, Explorers Club, Fitness Club, French Cinema Club, Gay/Straight Alliance, Genesis Club, Glee Club/Rock Band, Jewish Heritage Club, Laboratory Assistance Club, Madden Club, Math Competition Club, Model United Nations, Multicultural Club, Open Studio Club, Opera Club, Out Loud Club, Peer Tutoring Program, Prom Committee, Same Sky On-Campus, School Production/Drama Club, Science Olympians Club, Set Builders Club, Spanish Club, Student Government Organization, Ukulele Club, Tennis Club, Women in The Arab World Club, Yearbook, Young Doctors Club, WYRK, York Prep's in-house television station.

Dress code

York Prep's dress code is enforced Monday through Friday. On Friday casual dress was previously allowed. The dress code consists of white or navy polo shirts with the york prep logo and khaki or navy pants. Girls may wear skirts, skorts or pants.

Grading system

York Prep operates on a semester system. Numerical grades begin in grade 6 and run through grade 12. A grade point average of 85 or above constitutes being on the Honor Roll, while a grade point average of 90 or above constitutes being on the Headmasters List. The lowest failing grade is a 59%, while the highest failing grade is a 65%. Parents and students receive weekly grades and progress updates via an online grading book called. Each family signs in with a unique username and password to access their student's grades and progress in all academic subjects. Students receive quarterly grades four times per year.

Facilities

The school, which then housed 250 students, made news in 1997 when it expanded in an unusual transaction, trading property with Ramaz School. Ramaz purchased a new building for York Prep at 68th Street and traded that for the existing school at East 85th Street.
The property at West 68th Street is the original home of the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute. The new school site—a seven-level granite building-has three science laboratories, three technology centers, a library, performance and art studios and a sprung hardwood floor gymnasium, which has a fitness center, weight room and locker room facilities and a roof for beekeeping.
The classrooms are all carpeted and equipped with climate-control. All classrooms are equipped with smart technology including interactive whiteboards and Wi-Fi. Also, all 8th graders are provided with Chromebooks which are added to tuition. Students and staff members all have personal computer accounts, and all staff members have school e-mail addresses. In addition, all homeroom classrooms play the weekly episode of the schools in-house television series: WYRK.

Notable alumni