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Name: Vincent Smith School |
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The Vincent Smith School is well-known for its individualized program for reluctant learners and learning disabled students in grades 4-12. Located on four-and-a-half acres in suburban Port Washington, Vincent Smith School is a private day school, serving students in Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens Counties in New York since 1924. We offer students differentiated instruction in small supportive classes. Students experience academic success, emotional growth and social acceptance. More than 80% of our graduates go on to college. VSS is chartered by the New York State Board of Regents as an independent, non-profit institution and is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools. We take pride in being a school where it's okay to learn differently.
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Mission Statement: Philosophy Statement: Faculty, trustees and administrators are agreed on the following educational objectives for Vincent Smith:
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The learning environment at Vincent Smith School is warm, friendly and conducive to individual development and growth. The concern of the school is the well-being of the whole child. This is reflected in the manner in which teachers and administrators work with students in the classroom and in all activities. Classes are small, making individual instruction and attention possible. The average class size is twelve. Should a student have difficulty with class work, special help is given at the end of the day. The pace at Vincent Smith is brisk, but not pressurized, sympathetic but not coddling. We know our goals and together with our students, we expect to reach them. |
In 1923, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Eliott, Miss Adelaide Vincent Smith and Miss Nellora A. Reeder founded the Harbor School on Bayview Avenue in Port Washington. In 1924, at the suggestion of Mr. Elliot, the name of the school was changed to the Vincent Smith School in honor of Miss Smith and relocated to 25 Main Street. In 1927, Mr. and Mrs. Eliott purchased a plot of land on Port Washington Boulevard and has the original two-story building erected. The school operated on a provisional charter in the beginning. Christopher Morley, Jr. was among the first ninth grade graduating class of the Junior High Department in 1931. The first high school senior class was graduated in June of 1974. |
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Vincent Smith attempts to include as many and as wide a variety of extracurricular and enrichment activities as possible to help promote self-esteem and positive social experiences. Each student participates in five clubs throughout the week. Students have a plethora of activities from which to choose: PSAT/SAT Math Review, PSAT/SAT English Review, yearbook, school newspaper, sports, art, knitting and crocheting, gardening, chess/checkers, band camp, beading, scrap booking, Jeopardy, Photoshop, United Nations Culture Club (learning about different cultures in our community), and Fido and Felix (volunteering at a local animal shelter). One of our clubs that has piqued the interest of students is, “How Does That Work?” The club allows students to learn how everyday items work by creating models of airplanes, cars, hearts, and even a potato light. Pay it Forward, gives students a chance to get involved in helping members of the community. By participating in Student Council, students learn basic government concepts as they represent fellow students and their school. Debate club helps students improve oratory and listening skills as well as formulate and defend opinions. Many students at Vincent Smith School enjoy the writing process and do very well in the poetry/literary magazine club. Making Board Games is also a club that interests students a great deal. Students make their own games that might one day rival the legend that is Monopoly. Day field trips are scheduled throughout the school year. Students are given opportunities for travel during school holidays and a week-end trip is planned each fall. Spirit week, the art show, field day, the sports award dinner, and student full-day workshops are among the activities that provide enrichment for our students. In addition, each year students participate in a community service program. On the secondary level there is an interscholastic sports program involving competitive schedules in soccer, basketball and softball with nearby schools.
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The Vincent Smith School expanded its program offerings to include an innovative and extremely important initiative entitled, the Self-Advocacy and Mentoring (SAM) Program. SAM has been designed and implemented to allow students to develop the necessary skills for communication, self-advocacy, autonomy, and the ability to access needed services and support. Students will be participating in SAM every Tuesday during their club period. The 45-minute sessions include various activities such as role playing, discussion and written exercises. Each group has no more than eight students. Teachers have received extensive training from VSS staff member and clinical psychologist Dr. Valerie Gaus. Staff members took a Learning Styles Inventory, developed by educational researchers Rita Dunn and Kenneth Dunn. The inventory helped make staff cognizant of their personal learning styles. Research has shown that if students can be taught in their own learning style (visual, auditory, tactile) they are far more likely to succeed. However, most teachers teach the way they were taught, which is either visual or auditory. Last year 6-8 th graders took the Learning Style Inventory, which is an online exam developed by Dunn and Dunn. VSS educators felt it was most appropriate because it was age-based. The results of the test enabled students to understand how they learn based on how they answered questions. Teens with learning differences grow up to be adults with learning differences. Once students know how they learn, they are then able to facilitate their own learning and advocate for themselves. The high school component will be completed by October. “It is important for our children to understand who they are,” said Principal Veronica McCue. “It is equally important that they can advocate for themselves. We want all of our students to understand that it is okay to learn differently. We also want them to accept their differences as well as those of others.” SAM will facilitate self-discovery and self-awareness; foster self-acceptance; and teach self-advocacy skills. Research supports the fact that close to 90% of students with special needs go on to college and after one year, less than 10% of them remain. Those who have the strongest self-advocacy skills are among that 10%. More than 80% of the VSS Class of 2007 went on to higher education, the majority of these students are currently attending four-year colleges. SAM will help to ensure that VSS students continue to succeed after graduation. “We had to answer the question, ‘What do we want our students to do, know and be when they leave the Vincent Smith School?'” said Mrs. McCue. “We then had to work our way back to determine what would give our students the greatest chance for success. The SAM program teaches our students to advocate for their needs and that is a huge factor in whether or not they will achieve continued success after they leave the Vincent Smith School.” |
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Vincent Smith School is staffed by New York State certified teachers who are highly trained, qualified and committed to our philosophy of education. They never lose sight of their students as individuals and deal with consistently on a one-on-one basis. Each teacher is carefully selected for their enthusiasm, commitment and congeniality as well as for their professional skills. Faculty are encouraged to seek further education, to attend professional workshops and to maintain that level of inspired teaching that will result in maximum educational achievements for each pupil. Parents find that teachers keep in close contact with them through in-person conferences at school, progress reports and phone calls. A strong parent-school partnership is created as an important part of the educational process. School administrators at Vincent Smith maintain an open-door policy, associate freely with teacher and pupils, and are readily available for conferences with parents.
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The Vincent Smith School offers a well-integrated program of studies for boys and girls from grades five through twelve. All students carry the normal required courses under programs set forth by New York State. In addition to the basic academic subjects of English, social studies, math, science and foreign language, students are required to take art, music, computer technology, physical education and health. Emphasis is placed on developing organizational skills and study skills utilizing a multi-sensory approach to learning. Writing skills and research skills are taught in all grades utilizing an interdisciplinary approach. Students are required to complete a research project each year that is completed in school under the guidance of the classroom teacher and the computer teacher. Remedial reading is available for those students who are found to be in need of reading assistance. Pupils work on individualized, prescriptive programs in small groups of one to four, for a minimum of two days per week. The reading program at Vincent Smith School uses a multi-sensory approach which provides help in the following areas: decoding skills, reading comprehension, written expression, and spelling. Related services such as speech/language, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, and resource room are scheduled into each student's day when these services are indicated on the student's IESP. The Lower School program for grades 4-12 is composed of no more than 9 students per class. Students are grouped according to their level of functioning for reading, math, and writing. Social studies and math are presented in a whole class setting. In addition, students take two periods of physical education, art, music and computer technology. Homework is given each night as a review or reinforcement of a classroom lesson. Homework assignments are routinely adjusted according to the individual needs of the student. The Middle School program for grades seven and eight is composed of no more than 12 students per class. Students begin departmentalization taking English, math, social studies, science and foreign language. Art, music, physical education and computer technology continue to be an integral part of their program. Students in the 7 th grade also take Health. The High School program for grades nine through 12 is composed of no more than 12 students per class. In order to graduate, high school students must meet the following criteria of passing exit examinations and earning a minimum of 22 credits including the following units: 4 credits in English 4 credits in social studies 4 credits in math 4 credits in science 3 credits in foreign language 1 ½ credits in art 2 credits in computer technology 2 credits in physical education Passing the exit exams in English and math, or scoring 310 Verbal and 350 math on the SAT College and vocational guidance are provided through a program administered by the principal. In January of their junior year, students receive a copy of Planning for College. This booklet helps structure a guidance program designed to assist the student in completing college entrance requirements and in selecting the appropriate post-secondary school. Students in 11 th grade are requested to take the Preliminary College Board Test (PSAT) in October. Students planning to attend a two- or four-year college are asked to take the SAT in May of their junior year and again in November of their senior year. More than 80% of Vincent Smith School graduates attend college. Parents and students are assisted in gaining an understanding of the alternatives available to match each individual's skills, interests and aspirations. |
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The Vincent Smith School will consider for admissions any pupil of average or above average intelligence who shows promise of being able to meet the School's academic standards. The School is ready to assist students in their effort to realize their full educational potential in cases where this has not yet occurred. The admissions director will take into consideration: previous school record, test results, psychological reports, individual personality, activities and recommendations. Parental involvement is an important element in the success of the Vincent Smith School. In addition to maintaining close contact with teachers, parents are expected to participate in the Parent-Teacher Association activities, to attend workshops and lectures, and attend social events throughout the school year. Parents are represented on the Board of Trustees, the policy-making body of the school. The Vincent Smith School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, and scholarship, athletic and other school-administered programs. 2008-2009 Board of Education Ellen Forrest, Board Chairperson David Dickman, Vice Chair John Loester, Treasurer Michael Clark, 2008-2009 Administration Arlene Wishnew, Head of School Veronica McCue, Principal Helene Chemick, Comptroller Margaret Polino, Director of Special Education Mary C. Brisbane, Director of Marketing/Admissions Debra Galinsky - Director of Development |
“Thank you, Vincent Smith School staff, for helping give our son his first positive experience in an educational setting.” Bill and Christine “. . . finding this school has been the answer to our journey of searching for a place that would look at our child as an individual and be able to see past the disability.” “To the faculty at Vincent Smith School: My sincerest thanks for helping me to succeed. Your constant guidance allowed me to reach goals I did not think possible. Your advice and support made my year fun. Your strength and belief in me helped me to do well.” “Our daughter's life is truly becoming complete because she is in an environment that accepts the fact that she has an ‘interesting way of learning' and has teachers who take the time to figure out what that entails.” “The academic nurturing and supportive environment provided by the Vincent Smith School positively impacts the children's lives both academically and socially. It also enables them to be productive members of society.” “When I started out in sports at Vincent Smith, I felt as though I was slow and no good. Hard work in gym class and help from Mr. D made me a better athlete and most importantly a better person.”
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