Our Program
OUR MISSION
The Acorn School seeks to provide children with joyful early childhood educational experiences in order to instill a lifelong love of learning. Play-based and child-centered curriculums are implemented by our dedicated and experienced faculty to provide children with exciting and nurturing classroom environments. Building community is a top priority, and we work closely with families to support them as their children grow, develop, and realize the wonder of school for the first time.
FAST FACTS
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Nicole Donnelly, Director
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Approximately 35 openings available for new students each year
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Member of the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY)
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Operates under the permanent charter of the New York State Board of Regents
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Founded in 1966
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School year runs from September through June
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Parent tours offered October through January
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Financial Aid is not offered.
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Beyond Acorn: A Look at Where Our Students Have Attended Kindergarten in Recent Years
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The Allen-Stevenson School
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The Anderson Program
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The Brearley School
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The Browning School
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The Chapin School
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City & Country School
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Collegiate School
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The Dalton School
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Ethical Culture Fieldston School
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Friends Seminary
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Grace Church School
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Hunter College School
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Little Red
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The Nightingale-Bamford School
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PS 11
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PS 40
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PS 116
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PS 281
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PS 340
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Riverdale Country School
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Sacred Heart
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Spence School
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Speyer Legacy School
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St. Bernard's School
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Town School
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Trinity School
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UNIS
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Village Community School
Founded in 1966, The Acorn School is an independent preschool for children ages 2 through 5. With four large classrooms, as well as indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, Acorn is well equipped to respond to the needs of children as they grow and develop physically, socially, emotionally, creatively and cognitively. In addition to the regular school program, we offer lunch and extended day options as well as a June program.
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The educational approach at The Acorn School provides children with an exciting learning environment that is both integrated and self-stimulating. With guidance from our teachers, the children engage in both independent and collaborative exploration. The learning and growth process is encouraged via "hands on" experiences that foster a child's innate sense of creativity and curiosity. Our goal is to have a positive impact on each child's social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth in an atmosphere of individual respect and love of The Acorn School community.
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The Acorn School has a loyal, dedicated staff — many of whom are state certified and have earned their Master's degree in Early Childhood Education. Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled twice a year — once in the fall and once in the spring.
ALL ABOUT TWO
All About Two is a gentle separation program available to children who will turn two between July 1 and November 30. The program meets twice a week for two hours a day. There are many exciting activities including art, music, storytelling, snack and free choice to encourage cooperation, imagination and curiosity.
TWO, THREES AND FOURS
Children turning two by June 30 are eligible to enroll in our older 2s program which meets three times per week for three hours a day.
Three and four-year-old children meet five times per week for three hours a day with an option to stay for lunch until 1 PM and an extended day until 3 PM.