The Knox School

The Knox School is a coeducational boarding and day school for grades 6 to 12 located on a beautiful, 40-acre Long Island campus. Communications Director Dr. Karyn Cernera-Bush says the school’s curriculum is designed for college readiness–students here can earn college credit in the State University of New York (SUNY) system.

The school was founded in 1904 by former Wellesley College teacher Mary Alice Knox, who called it Miss Knox’s School for Girls. Students here have access to everything from a STEM program that uses 3-D printers, robots, and app-based technologies to a highly-regarded equestrian program. A post-graduate “gap year” allows students to ease their transition into college.

“Daily life at Knox allows for a balance of academics, athletics and the arts, along with extracurricular activities and robust student life programming,” says Cernera-Bush.

A Coordinated Response in Challenging Times

During coronavirus, the school rose to the challenges of emergency remote education, taking a whole-school approach to delivering high-quality programs in all academic disciplines.

“Intentional planning coupled with our faculty’s willingness to make this work ensured that our graduating seniors are ready to move on to their competitive college acceptances and that the rest of the student body had minimal gaps in their learning,” says Assistant Head of School Virginia Riccardi.

The faculty and administration also maintained connections to students through social media and virtual “hang-outs” to support the mental wellness of students who reside both on the Knox campus and in their homes around the world.

Keeping the Focus on Students’ Well-Being

Looking ahead, The Knox School is prepared to deliver a high-quality, rigorous educational program in a safe environment without delay or disruption, either through an in-person/hybrid model or via remote learning.

The school will implement Total Care Education, which includes a focus on support for optimal academic performance, college counseling and more. An emphasis will also be placed on mental health–The Knox School has a full-time Licensed Clinical Social Worker who will continue to provide support and services to all students to enhance their social and emotional well-being.

These are just a few of the ways this unique school goes the extra mile to ensure its students’ development, both in and out of the classroom.