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Welcome to Avenues!
Congratulations and a warm welcome to Avenues New York! We're thrilled to have you join our vibrant community.
We truly believe Avenues offers an exceptional education, preparing students to make a real-world difference. We're excited to partner with you to explore all of the opportunities that Avenues can offer, beginning with our immersion program in our Early Learning Center, through our mastery program in our Upper Division. We hope you will revisit us to learn more about the Avenues experience. Please don't hesitate to reach out to our admissions team - we're here to support you as you embark on your Avenues journey!
Warm regards,
Bobbe Fernando
Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management
Ready to enroll?
Complete the Enrollment Checklist
- Log in to the Enrollment Portal
- Review and submit the enrollment agreement
- Pay enrollment deposit
- Follow @avenuesed on Instagram and use #Avenues2024 to share your excitement!
Meet Our Community
What grades are your children in?
1st, 3rd & 6th grade
Why did you choose Avenues?
We chose Avenues because of its project based, hands on learning and the immersion program. We also loved the global feel of the curriculum and campus.
What is your favorite thing about Avenues?
We love the community at Avenues and how much our children love going to school! Our girls are always coming home with fun stories of things they've learned and experienced during their school days.
Describe Avenues in 3 words
Energized, Reflective, Oneness
Joshi Family
Hometown
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY
Degrees and schooling
BA in Spanish, Middlebury College
MA Primary and Special Education, Manhattanville College
MA Immersion Education, University of Minnesota
Division you teach
Lower Division
Years of teaching experience
14 years, with 12 years at Avenues
Describe your teaching philosophy
Students learn when they are engaged and feel a strong sense of belonging and agency. Therefore, it's all about classroom community and student inquiry. Regardless of where the student interests take us in a given year, we can teach the grade-level skills through their passions.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the Avenues community?
Collaboration within and across divisions. It's wonderful as a 5th-grade Spanish teacher to work with an English Pre-K teacher or an Upper Division music teacher and have our students be the beneficiaries of our interdivisional collaboration. The people who work at Avenues make it fun to be here each day. While we're a big school, there is still a sense of community and familiarity.
How would you describe Avenues students?
Avenues students come to school eager to learn, share, and grow. Their tenacity, open-mindedness, and creativity blow me away every day!
What's different about Avenues’ curriculum?
The Avenues curriculum is always evolving. There is not a single unit I have taught in my 11 years at Avenues that has remained unchanged. The best part about the curriculum is that it changes and evolved based on the interests of the students and the expertise of the teachers. This allows us to ensure the curriculum is relevant and engaging year after year.
How do you challenge and support your students?
I meet students where they are and work on challenging them within their proximal zone of development. Depending on their needs, I have a toolkit from which I can scaffold challenges in math or writing by creating extensions or teaching more advanced concepts that are related to the topic we're currently investigating. Every student will need a slightly different strategy to raise their skill level.
Profe Gilchrist
Hometown
Detroit, Michigan
Degrees and schooling
Bachelor of Dance Arts, University of Michigan
Master of Fine Arts in Film Production/Directing, University of Miami
Division you teach
Lower Division
Years of teaching experience
16+ years with 6 at Avenues
Describe your teaching philosophy
I believe that we were all born to dance, move, and express ourselves creatively. I want my students to tap into their natural way of moving, and explore their uniqueness through movement and tell stories without words.
Why did you choose to come to Avenues?
I love that Avenues is always open to change and finding new approaches to learning. We are constantly trying to be better! Avenues is not afraid to take the lead and our community is full of so many creative talented individuals.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the Avenues community?
I love that we have the freedom to collaborate and create a curriculum that addresses the needs of our students going into the world.
What do you enjoy most about teaching at Avenues?
I love that the students always ask questions and are not afraid to express their point of view.
How would you describe Avenues students?
Curious, confident, and ready to meet challenges!
What's different about Avenues’ curriculum?
Avenues is always finding ways to be more inclusive and to understand different points of view.
How is Avenues preparing students for an uncertain future?
Avenues believes in student-driven work and students taking ownership. This philosophy makes them accountable and fearless in using their minds and creativity to solve world problems.
What's one thing that you hope your students will grasp by the time they graduate?
Empathy and a profound understanding of those less fortunate.
How do you challenge and support your students?
I believe history and understanding the foundation of any subject is relevant and important. I always try to go back to history and show the relation to current events, etc.
Favorite thing about Avenues
I love that we keep expanding and becoming more diverse! It is a worldwide community and I look forward to seeing the other campuses.
Describe Avenues in three words
Innovative, awareness, transformative.
Mr. Woodson
Neighborhood
Harlem
Current grade(s) of your children
Grade 3 & Kindergarten
Previous school before Avenues
Petit Poussins Too
Language Track
Spanish
Languages spoken at home
English, French
Why did you choose Avenues?
We chose Avenues because it provided a unique, global perspective on education.
Favorite thing about Avenues
The dedication of the teachers and staff in making sure the children are both academically and emotionally well supported.
Three words you’d use to describe Avenues
Community, innovative, perceptive.
Hippolyte Family
Hometown
Taiwan
Degrees and schooling
Master's degree, Childhood Education with Bilingual Extension, Hunter College
NYS Childhood Education 1-6 grades, with Bilingual Extension
Teachers College of Columbia University, TCSOL Certification Program
Durham University, Master's Degree, TESOL
Division you teach
Middle Grades
Years of teaching experience and number of years at Avenues
15 years teaching; 10 years at Avenues
Describe your teaching philosophy
Knowledge is power, and it helps one to build up one’s capabilities, and hopefully, one can make a positive influence on our world. I love an anonymous quote that says, “this world doesn't need more successful people, but instead, we need more good people.” The question then becomes "what to teach?" I always tell my students that “middle grades is not all about academics, it is important that you are learning to understand more about yourself, identify and discover your own strengths and areas of growth. Start from there, let's learn and explore.”
Why did you choose to come to Avenues?
I agree with the school’s mission to prepare students to be global citizens. I also like how many opportunities we have as a teachers; there is so much professional development. I enjoy learning and working at an innovative school.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the Avenues community?
I love my co-workers, everyone here is so talented and willing to work as a team.
How would you describe Avenues students?
Enjoy learning, curious learners, and are not shy to express themselves.
What's different about Avenues’ curriculum?
Project-based learning.
How do you challenge and support your students?
Knowing where they are and pushing them to the next level of success. Setting goals with students.
Describe Avenues in three words
Innovative, challenging, inspiring.
Hsieh Laoshi
Neighborhood
Midtown
Current grade(s) of your children
Grade 5 & Grade 2
Language Track
Mandarin
Languages spoken at home
English
Previous school before Avenues
International Preschools
Why did you choose Avenues?
The main thing that drew us to Avenues was language immersion. We also loved the school's commitment to thinking about the future of education.
Favorite thing about Avenues
The people! Everyone (teachers, students, parents, administrators) has been so engaged in the school and community.
Three words you’d use to describe Avenues
Global. Community-Driven. Innovative.
Kapadia Family
Hometown
McLean, Virginia
Degrees and schooling
Bachelor of Arts in English (Pre-Education & Creative Writing) Minor in Leadership and Social Change, Virginia Tech
Masters of Arts in the Teaching of English, Teachers College, Columbia University
Division you teach
Middle Grades
Years of teaching experience
9 years with 4 years at Avenues
Describe your teaching philosophy
I believe students learn best when they grapple with material through multiple, diverse learning modalities, as this allows them to develop nuanced insights on the topic. Specifically, I have learned that collaboration among the Humanities department is crucial to student learning and growth. For example, instead of just learning about the Holocaust in history class through a teacher’s lecture, class discussion, or textbook excerpt, students need to read about it in English class through Josef’s words in Refugee by Alan Gratz, a novel about three childrens’ search for refuge. Students need to engage in a silent gallery walk on Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, in order to see the images of destroyed property that night. They need to read first-hand stories about those who lived during that time period and engage in dialogue over whose right is it to share and embody such stories, exploring whether we can give justice to such events through our own imagination and perspective work. This intersectionality helps students view topics and people, both in events and novels, as multifaceted and complex, enabling students to create their own informed opinions along the way.
How is Avenues' approach to teaching and learning different from other schools that you've worked in?
A lot of schools emphasize collaboration, but Avenues is the first school I've been at that actually provides the time and space for it.
How would you describe Avenues students?
Energetic and excited to learn.
How is Avenues preparing students for an uncertain future?
Having Crew allows us the time and flexibility to talk to our students about current events and ways to make a difference in age-appropriate ways that feel right to our group of students.
Ms. Chadha
Neighborhood
Chelsea
Current grade(s) of your children
Small World 2s, Kindergarten, Grade 2 & 5
Language Track
Mandarin
Languages spoken at home
English, French
Why did you choose Avenues?
Language immersion, no fundraising, the integration of technology into the curriculum, adaptive nature of the school— they’re willing to change if needed.
Favorite thing about Avenues
The community, the language program, teachers are strong and they love kids!
Lirette Family
College/University
Cornell University
College major/minor
Computer Science
Year you graduated from Avenues
2020
How did Avenues prepare you for college?
Prior to attending Avenues, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in computer science. Nevertheless, I was unsure of the type of work I would like to do. Avenues provided me with the opportunity to explore potential careers through interdisciplinary projects that merged my interests with the school curriculum. This resulted in an immersive experience that taught me that it is possible to apply my passions in so many different settings.
What is the most valuable skill you developed at Avenues?
I can safely say that the most valuable thing I have developed from my time at Avenues is the confidence to network with others. In 10th grade, I was part of the Mastery Learning System (MLS) where I conducted research on video game development in order to create a game by the end of the year. To my surprise, this was an extremely rigorous process that did not only require knowledge in programming, but also in storytelling, art, and music. It would have been incredibly difficult to embark on this journey by myself, so I had to reach out for help. With the help of my teacher, Mr. Gutkowski, I drafted an email to an Avenues parent asking them for guidance. I was once again surprised at the fact that I actually received an email back and even more so upon reading that they would be happy to help out. I am extremely grateful for all the help I received and don't know what I would have done without it.
Most impactful or memorable experience you had at Avenues?
Participating in Global Journeys to study environmental sustainability in Uruguay (9th grade) and astronomy/indigenous rights in Hawaii (11th grade).
#1 reason you'd recommend Avenues?
The diverse curriculum.
Three words you’d use to describe Avenues
Innovative, adaptive, inclusive.
Andrea, Alumnus '20
College/University
University of St Andrews
Grade started at Avenues
4
Language track
Mandarin
Academic interests
Physics, mathematics, chemistry.
Extracurricular involvements
Spice Club, Asian Awareness, Student Ambassador, International Student Council.
Memorable project, assignment, or experience
In 10th grade, I went on a trip to Shenzhen, China as a part of the Mastery Academy. With students from the São Paulo campus, my team designed and built a 3D printer from scratch.
Favorite Avenuess tradition
Days of Seniors.
Three words you’d use to describe Avenues
Adventurous, novel, fun.
Krishan, Alumnus '21
College/University
The University of Chicago
College major/minor
Philosophy
How did Avenues prepare you for college?
Avenues has given me a toolbox that I will take with me for the rest of my life. From the skills I acquired over my four years at Avenues, I feel confident in my ability to tackle any problems that come my way.
What did you enjoy most about being part of the Avenues community?
There were many aspects of the Avenues community that made me deeply enjoy being apart of it. I think most notable were the diversity of passions within the Avenues student body and faculty that I did not fully appreciate until now being in college. Even if you were not in class, learning occurred, whether it be in the hallways or at lunch, due to the variation of passions among students I could always depend on hearing about something from a peer.
Olivia, Alumna '20
Neighborhood
Harlem
Grade of child
Grade 3
Language track
Mandarin
Languages spoken at home
French, English
Why did you choose Avenues?
We were excited about Avenues' forward-thinking, innovative and global approach to education. The opportunities for Chinese language immersion and STEM learning were of particular interest. We felt these could play a critical role in preparing our child for the world of the future.
Favorite thing about Avenues
Some of our favorite things about Avenues are the small class sizes, student-teacher ratio, and the educators' ability to build a class community culture centered on the bolstering of student's sense of self-agency.
Describe Avenues in three words
Forward-thinking, self-reflective, responsive.
Williams Family
Neighborhood
Current grade(s) of your children
Grade 5 & Grade 9
Language Track
Spanish
Languages spoken at home
English, Arabic, French
Why did you choose Avenues?
We really liked the global nature of the school. The bi-lingual program combined with challenging academics is a true asset.
Favorite thing about Avenues
The community of families is great.
Three words you’d use to describe Avenues
Global, inclusive, high-tech.
Smith Family
Neighborhood
Chelsea
Current grade of your child
Grade 6
Previous school before Avenues
Montessori at Flatiron
Language Track
Mandarin
Languages spoken at home
English, Korean
Why did you choose Avenues?
We believe in the power of bilingual education - it adds depth and complexity to the child’s thoughts and perspectives.
Favorite thing about Avenues
Bilingual education; Dr. Glazer’s 3rd-grade math club; constructive parent community; school’s thoughtful and effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Three words you’d use to describe Avenues
Global, innovative, caring.
Kim Family
Neighborhood
Downtown Manhattan
Current grade of your child
Grade 7
Language Track
Spanish
Languages spoken at home
English
Why did you choose Avenues?
We loved Avenues for many reasons, but our daughter is LatinX and so the Spanish immersion sealed the deal.
Favorite thing about Avenues
Our daughter's experience in the classroom has been consistently phenomenal, year in and year out.
Three words you’d use to describe Avenues
Impressive, comprehensive, caring.
Catone Family
College/University
Boston College
Neighborhood
Downtown Manhattan
Previous school
Knightsbridge School
Grade started at Avenues
5
Language track
Spanish
Academic interests
Humanities, Spanish, sciences, art.
Extracurricular involvements
Avenues Ambassadors, Student Council, Food and Hunger Advocacy Club, Model UN, International Student Council, Tennis
#1 reason I’d recommend Avenues
The community of kind, welcoming, and driven students and faculty.
Favorite Avenues tradition
The World's Fair.
Three words you’d use to describe Avenues
Open, global-minded, innovative.
Martin, Alumnus '22
Neighborhood
Queens
Current grade of your child
Grade 10
Previous school before Avenues
PS 118- Brooklyn
Language Track
Mandarin
Languages spoken at home
English
Why did you choose Avenues?
We chose Avenues because on the tour my son felt welcomed by the students. We loved the world and language focus. It felt right from the moment we stepped into the building.
Favorite thing about Avenues
The teachers and staff!
Three words you’d use to describe Avenues
Welcoming, innovative, flexible.
Leveille Family
College/University:
Stanford University
Major:
Political Science
Plans for after graduation:
Public office
How did Avenues prepare you for college?
Avenues taught me to always be open-minded and flexible in whatever I did. This is something that has helped me a lot so far this year as a college freshman.
What is the most valuable skill you developed at Avenues?
Definitely my discussion skills! By being encouraged to voice my opinions in my classes, I learned how to synthesize and express my thoughts in an effective way.
What did you enjoy most about being part of the Avenues community?
The unconditional support from faculty, staff, and peers who wanted to see me succeed in anything that I pursued.
Favorite thing about Avenues
The wide array of opportunities that extend outside of the classroom, such as the Mastery program, Global Journeys trips, 5th Term, and club experiences.
Nicole, Alumna '20
Get in touch
Bobbe Fernando
Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management
admissions-ny@avenues.org
Bobbe joined Avenues in 2022, bringing a wealth of experience in college admissions both at home and abroad. Prior to joining Avenues, served in a variety of roles at New York University (NYU), most recently as the senior director of global admissions, covering NYU’s campuses in New York, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi and various study-away sites around the world. In that capacity, she managed a highly-selective admissions review process for thousands of students. Under her leadership, NYU saw an increase in international enrollment and diversity and an increase from 13% to 25% over ten years in non-U.S. citizens in the incoming freshman class.
Bobbe earned a master’s degree in global affairs with a concentration in international relations from NYU and a bachelor’s degree in applied social studies and English from the University of York, UK.
Bobbe Fernando
Janie Ruiz Yang
Director of Small World, ELC and Lower Division Admissions
janie.ruizyang@avenues.org
Growing up between Taiwan and the United States, Janie was inspired by her mother, a Spanish-language educator, to pursue a B.A. in Spanish at Fu Jen University in Taiwan. After working as an early childhood educator in Taipei, Janie received an M.A. from Teachers College at Columbia University, followed by two years of teaching at an international school in Moscow, Russia. When Janie first learned of Avenues, with its global focus and emphasis on Chinese and Spanish language immersion, she knew this was the school and community for her. Janie started her Avenues career as a Chinese kindergarten teacher in 2013 and subsequently joined the admissions team in 2015. She's also now the proud mother of two children attending Avenues on the Chinese track.
Janie Ruiz Yang
Christina Chang
Associate Director of Small World, ELC and Lower Division Admissions
christina.chang@avenues.org
Christina was born in Boston and grew up in Taiwan attending international schools. As an undergraduate at NYU, she began teaching Chinese and music to young children of all backgrounds, which inspired her to pursue an M.A. in music education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Christina spent 10 years leading an early childhood Mandarin immersion program in Tribeca. Prior to joining Avenues in 2021, Christina also worked closely with the NYC Department of Education’s Early Childhood Education Department.
Christina Chang
Beth Formidoni
Assistant Director of Small World, ELC and Lower Division Admissions
elizabeth.formidoni@avenues.org
Beth first joined Avenues in 2012 as a member of the parent community, and her three children currently attend Avenues. Since 2018, Beth has worked with the admissions office as a tour guide and parent ambassador, as well as a part-time interviewer. Previously, Beth worked as a chef and as an attorney, both in New York City. Beth grew up in New Jersey and attended Washington and Lee University for both undergraduate and law school.
Beth Formidoni
Brianna Busse
Assistant for ELC and Lower Division Admissions
brianna.busse@avenues.org
Brianna grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. After graduating with a BFA in musical theatre performance from Southeast Missouri State University, she made the drive from her college town of Cape Girardeau to New York City in 2021, continuing to pursue a career in the arts. She joined the admissions office as an assistant in the fall of 2023. Passionate about creating efficient patron experiences, she is grateful for the tools she's acquired, prior to joining Avenues, working in guest relations and production.