Student Life

At Park East, our award-winning dual curriculum is complemented by a vibrant array of specials, activities and experiences. Through exposure to visual and dramatic arts, technology, athletics, and more, our students cultivate new skills and explore a variety of interests.

We believe a strong arts curriculum opens up alternate ways of expressing intelligence and emotion, perceiving and thinking about the world, and solving problems.

Our visual arts program begins in Early Childhood with the experiential study of materials, color, size, design, and proportion. Children move on to draw, paint, make ceramics, and learn the history of art by studying individual masters; our annual Arts Fair is a highlight of the school year.

In vocal music and dance, students participate in a year-long program rich with American and Hebrew/ Israeli music that follows the Jewish and secular holiday calendars. Full-scale theater productions have included Dracula, Snoopy, 1776, The Sound of Music, and Guys and Dolls.

Our librarian conducts an age-appropriate program that begins in early childhood with basic library skills—how to listen to and understand stories, find materials, and practice library citizenship. Older students learn textual analysis and develop research skills that allow them to explore interests beyond the classroom. From Grade 6 and up, students have access to the deeper collections and databases at the New York Public Library at 67th Street, which is just a few blocks from campus.

Technology is a tool integrated into all of our disciplines and through all of our grades.

Younger students follow individualized reading, math, and science curricula through the Waterford Early Learning program and SuccessMaker. iPads are introduced in our nursery fours; by the time students graduate, they understand and use rudimentary code, know how to create HTML websites, and can use Word, Excel and PowerPoint efficiently. They also learn basic Desktop Publishing.

Our athletics program begins at age three with the basics: gross motor skills, following directions, hand-eye coordination.

As students advance, they learn team-building and understand the importance of doing their personal best—at Park East, we compete against ourselves, not each other. Older students play basketball and soccer in the Inter-Yeshiva Basketball League and the British Soccer League.