York Preparatory School, commonly referred to as York Prep School, is an independent, university-preparatory school in the Upper West Side area of Manhattan, New York City, near Lincoln Square. The coeducational school provides instruction to approximately 350 students between 6th and 12th grades. The student:teacher ratio is 5:1. York Prep is approved by the New York State Board of Regents and accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. For the 2024–2024 school year, tuition is US$64,560. Total tuition for Jumpstart US$95,237, Total tuition for ITP US $80,973.

History

Founded and owned by Ronald and Jayme Stewart (née Spahn), York Prep opened its doors in September 1969 to 158 students in grades 6-12 and by 1972 had 212 students. Ronald Stewart serves as headmaster and his wife Jayme Stewart is director of college guidance. Jayme Stewart, who has shared college entry tips with CNN, is also the author of a 1991 book, How to Get into the College of Your Choice: And How to Finance It. York is a for-profit school; Jayme Stewart's brother Stephen H. Spahn owns another for-profit school in New York City, the Dwight School.

Academics

The curriculum provides a foundation in the traditional core subjects of a liberal arts education—English, mathematics, social studies, science, and foreign language. In addition, students can choose from a wide range of specialized electives. The school uses a system called "tracking," which places students in one of several ability groups available in every subject area. This allows students to work at an advanced pace through Honors courses and the Scholars Program, in subjects in which they excel, and at a moderate pace in those subjects where they need more guidance. York Prep offers a Jump Start Program at supplemental cost to provide assistance to students with different learning styles and learning disabilities. The program offers participants two weekly one-on-one 40 minutes sessions with their assigned Jump Start teachers, morning check-ins with their teachers, and supervised group study sessions after school.

Sports and activities

York Prep offers the following sports:

Middle school

Junior varsity

Varsity

Grading system

York Prep operates on a semester system. Numerical grades begin in grade 6 and run through grade 12. A grade point average of 85 or above constitutes being on the Honor Roll, while a grade point average of 90 or above constitutes being on the Headmasters List. The lowest failing grade is a 55%, while the highest failing grade is a 65%. Parents and students receive weekly grades and progress updates via an online grading book called. Each family signs in with a unique username and password to access their student's grades and progress in all academic subjects. Students receive quarterly grades four times per year.

Facilities

The school, which then housed 250 students, made news in 1997 when it expanded in an unusual transaction, trading property with Ramaz School. Ramaz purchased a new building for York Prep at 68th Street and traded that for the existing school at East 85th Street. The property at West 68th Street is the original New York home of the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion. The new school site—a seven-level granite building—has three science laboratories, three technology centers, a library, performance and art studios and a sprung hardwood floor gymnasium, which has a fitness center, weight room and locker room facilities.

Notable alumni

In news and popular culture