Research Bruno M Ponterio Ridge Street School public Schools in Ossining, New York

“While the kindergarten day is a bit long for some children, Mr. Fittinghoff, the principal, and Ms. Tayor, the assistant principal, initiated steps to ensure a smooth transition for the children. These are as follows: a six-week introductory schedule during which kids had three full days and two half days, a kindergarten-only bus for the first day of school and the afternoon trip during this period, and half days for the first few days of school involving either private diagnostic meetings or 'meet and greet's within groups of roughly 11 children .”

“My child is in 1st grade here. We'd like to be out by 3rd grade, when all the standardized testing starts. That's when the school switches from educating the children to focussing on test prep. The superintendent is clearly pursuing test scores for their own sake, rather than viewing them as the natural by-product of a good education. This is also a district that, starting this year, has the kindergarteners in school from 8:30-3:10 5 days a week, over the strenuous objections of the kindergarten teachers and most parents, all of whom feel that it's far too long a day for these kids.”

“We have two children at RSS. The class sizes, activities and standards are excellent. The principal is very good. They are upgrading the facilities and make good use of technology in the classrooms.”

“Most of the teachers are great and dedicated. The new principal and assistant principal are very energetic, approachable and focused on the kids. The physical facilities are in serious need of updating and/or repair.”

“I went to RSS from 1965 - 1971 and still think it's the best school around. I raised my daughter in Boca Raton Florida and compared to the schools here (which are supposed to be pretty good in Boca) RSS was like an upper-echelon private school. The work I did in 6th grade is harder than my daughter's 12th grade work - I grew up feeling average, but now that I'm a 48 year old, I believe my elementary and jr. high education prepared me above and beyond what most people get out of school. I wish I still lived in Rye Brook so my daughter could have gone to RSS! Great memories when Mr. P. was ass't vice principal and gave us the Ponterio Pinch - Susan Miller”