US FAQs

Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions page of the Upper School site. We are building this page, so if you have a question that has yet to be answered, please email the Upper School Office for help.

Note: Many of these answers have been taken directly from the School For Children Family Handbook.

  • What time does the school day begin?
  • What time is dismissal?
  • What is Morning Math?
  • Are there other morning options?
  • What are the after-school options?
  • Can my child go to the library after school?
  • How does my child take out books from the library?
  • How does my child get a MetroCard?
  • What are the Upper School lunch options?
  • What is the cell phone/handheld devices policy at Bank Street?
  • What is the elevator policy at Bank Street?
  • How much homework can we expect in the Upper School?
  • Is there a dress code in the Upper School?

Answers to FAQs:

What time does the school day begin?

Students are allowed to go upstairs at 8:25AM. If students are attending Morning Math or other support, they are allowed to go upstairs at 7:55AM.

What time is dismissal?

Students are dismissed at 3:15PM or shortly thereafter from their classrooms. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, some students will be dismissed from their work period choices (KOC, Rock Band, etc.) at 3:30. Caregivers should meet children in the lobby. There is no formal supervision of children in front of the building at dismissal time, and children are not allowed to congregate there after school.

What is Morning Math?

Morning Math takes place in US classrooms on M, W, and F from 8:00-8:25AM. We begin Morning Math on the first Monday after the opening of school. Students who need extra help, who want to work on an individual math project with a teacher, or who simply love math and want to explore more are welcome to come.

Are there other morning options?

Occasionally, students may be asked to come in for a special music rehearsal. Some also come in for extra help in other subjects.

What are the after-school options?

Upper School students have the option of going to HW Club (M-Th, 3:30-5:00), or taking part in an after school sport. The only after school class available to Upper Schoolers is Shakespeare.

Can my child go to the library after school?

Beginning in 11/12s, Upper School students may use the Library from 3:30–4:30PM to do research and homework. Students must get a pass from the Upper School Office before using the Library. Students may not use library computers without an adult present. If they wish to use a Chromebook, students can get approval from their teachers and bring their Chromebook to HW Club.

How does my child take out books from the library?

Students only need to bring their books to the Circulation Desk to have their names looked up and books checked out.

How does my child get a MetroCard?

MetroCards are distributed on the first day of school. If a student needs a replacement, please see the US Assistant for help.

What are the Upper School lunch options?

The lunch program for students is open to all students in the 6/7s through 13/14s. It is overseen by our Executive Chef Cori Boudreaux. A lunch enrollment form is located in the Family Access Module through the link to School Forms Online.

What is the cell phone/handheld devices policy at Bank Street?

Students are not allowed to use personal devices in school unless during a supervised activity with teachers. Devices include cell-phones, iPods/MP3 Players, iPads/Tablets, and gaming systems. In the 12/13s and 13/14s students turn in their cell phones to their homeroom teachers in the morning, and receive them back at dismissal. Phones are not to be used during the school day, this includes in the bathroom or at lunch. Students who repeatedly challenge the policy, will have to turn in their cell phones daily to the Division Head.

The mornings in Bank Street’s lobby are device-free for students. Students should not take out their devices after they pass through security. If they need to call home, they should do so right when they enter the building, or use the landline at the security desk. If students are found using their device, it will be confiscated by the faculty/staff member on lobby duty. The device will be returned to the student at 8:30AM.

After dismissal, devices can be taken out of bags when students reach the lobby. It is important that students not use these on the stairwells because of the heavy foot traffic.

Note: If there is ever an emergency or other need for a student to reach someone outside, faculty and staff have phones in their classrooms, or students may ask permission to use any available office phone.

What is the elevator policy at Bank Street?

Upper School students are expected to use the stairs from the time they arrive at school until 4:00PM, except when carrying open plates of food upstairs. Teachers are aware of the travel time needed between classes and do their best to give students enough time to get from class to class. Exceptions for elevator use can be made for students who are:

  • physically unable to walk stairs (for long-term injuries, a note from a doctor needs to be submitted to the US Office)
  • sick or injured and going to the nurse
  • accompanying an injured/sick peer, as approved by a teacher
  • carrying Bank Street lunch from the cafeteria to the 7th Floor
  • carrying heavy instruments (ex, sax, guitar, cello, and bass, but not flute, clarinet, or violin) or excessively heavy equipment
  • given permission by teachers/staff for a specific reason

Students need passes while riding the elevators for most of the above reasons (not needed for lunch or if there is an urgent health concern). Adults have passes in their classrooms and offices, which need to be returned to the administering adult after use.

Students who ride the elevators without permission will be asked to walk back to the floor they began on, then return via stairs. Students who repeatedly challenge the elevator policy will face disciplinary consequences, including the loss of certain privileges.

If the current policy is not working for any reason, we will reevaluate and adjust as needed.

How much homework can we expect in the Upper School?

Homework will vary night to night because subjects do not meet everyday. Time spent will also vary for every student. In general, Upper School students can expect the following:

10/11s: 1 hour per night, plus reading

11/12s: 1 - 1½ hours per night, plus reading

12/13s: 1½ - 2 hours per night, plus reading

13/14s: 2 - 2½ hours per night, plus reading

Is there a dress code in the Upper School?

There is no formal dress code for students in the School for Children. However, students are expected to dress in a manner that is respectful of the character and purpose of the school community. As such:

  • Students may not wear clothing with offensive or inappropriate language, images, or mascots. This includes but is not limited to offensive, derogatory, or inappropriate references to race, ethnicity, ability, religion, or sexuality; or promoting the use of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs.
  • Clothing must completely cover underwear and other undergarments.