2015-2016 Blackboard Award Honoree: PS 158

Editor’s note: To read profiles of all 2015-2016 Blackboard Awards honorees, click HERE!

PS 158
Principal: Dina Ercolano
Pre-K-5
1458 York Avenue
Award: Outstanding School

Describe your school’s core educational philosophy.

PS 158 is a nurturing learning community committed to educating the whole child. Our inclusive school environment encourages the abilities and talents of our students by providing varied opportunities and resources for each child to develop social-emotional, academic, creative, and leadership skills. This belief drives all decisions made at the school. With respect and trust, students, faculty, staff, and families are committed to developing life-long learners.

Dina Ercolano. Photos by Andrew Schwartz.

Tell us about a few of the school’s achievements or distinguishing programs.

The unified, yet highly individualized, approaches to pedagogical practice at the school are clearly aligned with our rigorous curricula… Our school has a strong culture of learning that encompasses high expectations for staff, students, and families. Students have very high expectations for themselves, families feel supported by the school, and teachers hold themselves to extremely high standards, resulting in high levels of student achievement and attainment… The entire process of implementing student-led grouping and the steps a student must take to be able to lead a group, builds levels of student independence, both for the student leader as well as for the students being led. From crafting a lesson they will be leading to working collaboratively with the teacher and the other students, students are involved in shaping the learning of their classmates. Everything from research skills to time management is vital to this process. This initiative helps families better understand their child’s progress.

What’s new?

Recently our students were invited to participate in a Principals’ Conference at Teachers College. The students shared their self-selected goals, strategies, and tools with their reading partners. The participants in the conference watched and learned from our students and were amazed.

What do you love about your school?

We have an incredible community. When I was a teacher and a coach, I taught a specific class or group of teachers. As a principal, I can expand my passion as an educator to teaching all teachers and all students, which is my greatest joy.

Long Island Game Farm Wildlife Park & Children’s Zoo

Long Island Game Farm Wildlife Park &amp; Children&rsquo;s Zoo presents programming for children and families of all ages, animal encounters, zookeeper experiences, VIP tours, season memberships, and much more! Camp Zoo introduces and immerses children in nature through outdoor exploration, games, crafts, and other educational hands-on activities.&nbsp; In partnership with their nonprofit arm, the Foundation for Wildlife Sustainability, the game farm also offers culture, education, and wellness programs to connect people with wildlife and the natural environment.&nbsp; A critical aspect of the game farm is serving as a sanctuary to animals that&nbsp;have been rescued, rehabilitated, or re-homed, including Sicilian miniature donkeys, alpacas, African Sulcatta tortoises, peacocks, rabbits, goats, sheep,&nbsp;alligators, and our beloved Gomez, a Sulphur-crested cockatoo, and Nala, an African Serval cat!&nbsp; &nbsp;

Friends Academy

<h1>Since 1876, Friends Academy has set the standard of academic excellence on Long Island.</h1> Since 1876, Friends Academy has set the standard of academic excellence on Long Island. Our timeless values elevate our outstanding academic program to create a unique educational experience, where our students are empowered to inquire, reflect, and engage in real-world, life-changing ways. Friends Academy graduates are exceptionally prepared for college and the world. Friends Academy educates students, ages 3 through 12th grade. We offer outstanding experience in our Little Friends Daycare program, and a best-in-class education for every level of your child&rsquo;s development in our Early Childhood, Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. At every step of our students&rsquo; journey, they are seamlessly prepared for the next grade, division, and challenge in life. Our students are known, embraced, and loved by a community of dedicated, experienced teachers who provide individualized attention through our small class sizes and outstanding curriculum. Founded 148 years ago, we are the #1 ranked private school on Long Island by Niche.com and have been ranked #1 in the following categories for four years in a row: #1 K-12 private school #1 private College Prep HS #1 private High School Please visit our website @ friendsacademy.org or call our Admissions team at 516-676-0393 to schedule a visit and find out how Friends Academy might be the smartest investment you can make for your child's future.

The École

At The &Eacute;cole, we believe that the goal of education is to develop well-informed, well-rounded, responsible, and compassionate students who can create and connect to a world filled with possibilities. This belief is at the heart of our uniquely designed bilingual program, in which students learn not just to speak, read, and write in two languages but also to think, feel, and act in ways informed by two cultures. To always see, explore, and understand the world around them from two perspectives is the gift of the deeply bi-literate, bi-cultural student. Artfully blending the curriculum requirements and pedagogical approaches of the French and American systems, our native-speaking faculty create rich academic environments for a diverse, international student body. From Maternelle through Middle School, students at The &Eacute;cole are guided through the core language arts, social studies, math, and sciences content, as well as character and cultural enrichment in both French and English for all subjects. In our intimate classroom settings or out and about in New York City&rsquo;s many artistic and historical institutions, using traditional and technology-based techniques, our teachers aspire to provide individual and group bilingual learning opportunities that engage, challenge, and inspire.