Fostering student growth throughout grades 9-12
In order to help every one of our students achieve bright futures, York Prep has developed its own unique and highly specialized upper school curriculum.
As a leading New York City prep school and one of the best high schools in New York City, we have designed our class structure to challenge and encourage each student to do his or her best in all areas of study, making sure that every child leaves York Prep thoroughly prepared for higher education.
A rich curriculum
From English courses through Technology classes, York Prep teachers are personally invested in the academic growth of their students.
In keeping with York’s emphasis on our Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum, our STEM Lab and our technology electives are student-centered, project-based classes that teach students to set and achieve their own goals while pursuing their own creative interests.
English
Our expertise ranges from poetry to drama to the novel and essays. York English teachers focus on all stages of the writing process.
Exploration of critical thinking, along with the instruction of close reading lenses, help develop lifelong readers and writers.
Vocabulary is taught in the context of the literature studied; teachers align grammar instruction with student compositions.
Math
York’s Mathematics curriculum connects classroom material and instructional practice with ongoing consideration for student needs.
The Mathematics department designed its program to support the school's mission to motivate students to achieve success by providing them with appropriate, ability-based classes in close consultation with their teachers while considering the demands of a changing world.
World Languages
The World Languages Department at York believes that the key to success in foreign language acquisition results from a combination of a determination to succeed, patience, and an understanding that students have embarked upon a path towards a high level of proficiency.
Middle School students may select courses in Spanish, French, and American Sign Language (ASL) as well an Introduction to Italian course through the Scholars program.
History
Students are provided both the instruction and support for optimal command of physical geography, critical thinking, historical research, expository writing, and oral presentation.
With the mastery of these skills, students possess the requisite tools and sustained curiosity to confront complex questions in upper-class electives, including Advanced Placement American Government, Archaeology, Comparative World Religions, Constitutional Law, and Oral History Research.
Science
The Science department teaches many disciplines, but the main goal is to encourage intellectual curiosity and produce a scientifically literate student. All students participate in labs designed to facilitate the understanding of crucial concepts.
Arts
The Visual Arts department is grounded in technique, and fosters the individual self-expression of students. In a supportive environment, students receive the tools to communicate thoughts, ideas, and emotions while heightening their sensitivity to art history.
Projects are linked to fundamental principles of art while using historical movements as reference points.
Creativity, playfulness, and imagination are emphasized in middle school while technical skills and working from life are introduced in high school. York offers a variety of year-long electives, including the following: painting (watercolor, acrylic, and oils), drawing, printmaking, stop motion animation, digital imaging, digital photography, graphic design, and ceramics. Pre-portfolio and portfolio classes are available to juniors and seniors interested in pursuing art at the college level.
Physical Education
Physical Education aims to create a safe, fun, and challenging environment through movement-based activities. In grades 6-8, we focus on building skills appropriate for getting the students ready for high school Physical Education. These skills include sportsmanship, cooperation, individual enhancement, and teamwork.
In grades 9-12, the students will develop an understanding of how to hone in on sport-specific skills through different units of practice. They will also continue to practice proper sportsmanship, teamwork, and perseverance.
Come and discover York Prep
We would be delighted to have you visit our wonderful diverse school community in the heart of Manhattan.
