2026 CELEBRATION IMPACT REPORT
YOUR IMPACT ON EDUCATION
Dear Celebration Supporter, We are pleased to share this impact report on the Bank Street Celebration event. It is with deep gratitude that we invite you to see how your extraordinary generosity supports our commitment to a diverse and inclusive community, dedicated to understanding and respecting every child and creating rich learning experiences that put students on the path to fulfilling their brightest dreams and boldest plans. Because of your vital support, School for Children was able to provide financial assistance to 65% of students enrolled this year. Your partnership directly fuels the academic success of our current students and ensures that School for Children can continue providing children with meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, and reach their full potential. In the words of Bank Street founder Lucy Sprague Mitchell, “we see in education the opportunity to build a better society”. We hope you enjoy reading about the remarkable impact your investment is making in our society. We look forward to our continued partnership in building stronger, more equitable communities through education, and we hope to see you at this coming year’s Celebration event!
Warmly,
Shael Polakow-Suransky President, Bank Street College
610 West 112th Street | New York, NY 10025 | school.bankstreet.edu
A Year of Deep Learning and Authentic Community Building In Fall 2025, we welcomed 414 students into our School for Children community, 65% of whom were receiving financial assistance. Together, our children, teachers, and families are building a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive environment. Every day in our classrooms, our students learn to look at the world through a social justice lens, growing into academically well-prepared students, while also being compassionate, open-minded citizens who understand what it takes to build a more equitable and democratic society. Celebrating Our Impact: Highlights from the Past Year ■ A Personalized Approach: With a 6:1 teacher-to-student ratio, 65% of our educators have Bank Street College of Education graduate degrees. Bank Street teachers are experts in child development and passionate about progressive education. Our educators know how to create rich learning environments that promote critical and creative thinking while nurturing academic, social, and emotional growth. ■ Signature Programming: In addition to signature programs including the Hudson River Study and Science Expo, School for Children hosted its first Upper School Students of Color Summit - a half-day centered on self-care and community building. Students danced and choreographed, designed affirming T-shirts, and engaged in thoughtful conversations about friendship and boundaries. ■ Exploring New York City and Beyond: Students in every grade took field trips, tying their learning to the world beyond Bank Street. Lower school students enjoyed day trips to destinations such as the Botanical Gardens, Central Park Zoo, and Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility, while older students traveled to destinations like Washington D. C. and Philadelphia. ■ A Growing Athletic Program: Our Upper School athletics program is flourishing. We added Flag Football to our existing team sports, which also include basketball, softball, volleyball, soccer, and running club. The softball team placed first in the league, with a 4-2 record. Go Owls! ■ Deeply Engaged Families: School for Children families are committed to the overall well-being of our students and school community. The Parents Association offers robust family programming such as the Fall Fair, Parents Of Children Of Color (POCOC) Talent Show, and Earth Week. We hope all members of our community will attend these signature events!
Your Impact through the Celebration
Thank You! We are very grateful to you for participating in the Bank Street Celebration event in support of Bank Street School for Children. If you have any questions or would like to set up a time to talk, please contact Kelsey Rodriguez, Director of Development for Children’s Programs at krodriguez3@bankstreet.edu or 212-875-4556.
610 West 112th Street | New York, NY 10025 | school.bankstreet.edu