The Carol and Frank Biondi Education Center provides a comprehensive program focused on meeting the academic, emotional and social needs of students requiring placement away from home and those of needing a day school program not available to them in public schools in their communities.

Small classes, team teaching, safety, intensive counseling and crisis intervention - all delivered by trained and caring professionals - make the Leake and Watts' Biondi program successful for emotionally disturbed and at-risk youngsters.

1. Overview of The Carol & Frank Biondi Education Center

2. The Carol & Frank Biondi Education Center at our Yonkers Campus

3. The Carol & Frank Biondi Education Center at our Williamsbridge Annex

- In 2003, Biondi was accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges,
a special accomplishment for a school serving a residential population.

- Biondi is accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to issue "Regents Diploma".

- Despite the challenges and relatively short stay with us, approximately 60% of our 12th graders graduate.

The goal of the school is:

• to help students make use of the resources in this special school

• to work toward completing their high school education

• to help address academic, social and emotional areas that have kept them from functioning academically

• to acquire skills that help them make positive choices

• to prepare them to return to their own community schools as soon as possible

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Our Yonkers campus serves students in grades 6-12 and contains 35 classrooms, a Technology Lab, Music Room, Art Room, Silk-screening room, Library, and Darkroom.  The facility also houses an Olympic size indoor swimming pool as well as an air conditioned Gymnasium.

The Carol and Frank Biondi Education Center is located on the grounds of the Leake and Watts Residential Treatment Center. 

463 Hawthorne Avenue
Yonkers NY 10705
Phone: 914.375.8947
Fax: 914.375.8907
Click here for directions

More than two thirds of our students come to us with reading skills below grade level, have not experienced success in school, are difficult to engage academically and have significant emotional issues that drain their energy and attention.  The following programs have been developed to address these concerns.

The main thrust of the education program at The Carol and Frank Biondi Education Center is providing students in all grades, K-12; on both campuses, an instructional program and material that is reflective of State standards.  The program is designed to meet the needs of our students and their I.E.P. mandates through a variety of teaching techniques.  A new reading program, Kaleidoscope is being used on the Yonkers campus by staff members who have been trained in its use.  Tutoring, as an after school program, is available for those who have academic deficits, as well for those who would benefit from enrichment activities.

This program serves students 17 years and older, who read at least the 8th grade level and have an inadequate number of high school credits to graduate and earn a Regents High School Diploma.  This is a twelve month school program which prepares students to take the G.E.D examination and provides supported employment on the campus and in the community while the students prepare for the examination.  The G.E.D. Diploma enables the student to pursue a post secondary education, occupational training or enter the workplace.

The program is offered throughout the school year following The New York State Education Department mandates for physical education in grades 1-12.  Aquatics in the indoor pool, seasonal sports participating in Section 1 in the NYS Public High School Athletic Association; such as girls volleyball, boys tackle football, boys and girls basketball, softball, track and field and cheerleading are among the activities offered in this program.  In addition the program conducts an annual school wide Olympia tournament and extra curricular activities throughout the year.

Almost all of our students exhibit behaviors that they have learned or adapted through experiences that severely impact on their ability to progress academically, emotionally or socially.  The Behavior Modification Program being used is geared at changing behavior that has negatively affected the student's cottage life for those living on campus.  Points earned are redeemable in tangible goods.  The Staff receive training in the use and operation of behavior modification and social skills training is made available to help students understand and demonstrate appropriate social behavior.  In addition, all staff receive Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training.

Every classroom has two student computers, a teacher computer, and printer connected to the Internet.  All classrooms have a 27 inch television with DVD players and are connected to Cablevision.  These televisions are used to show educational videos and current events.  Teacher's regularly use LCD projectors in the classroom to present lesson and stream video form the Internet to address the diverse learning styles of our students.  Our Technology lab has 16 computers, various printers, digital cameras, scanners, and writing tablets available for student use.  Our teachers have received extensive Staff Development to infuse Technology into our Curriculum.

The school provides several enrichment programs including Art, Music, Steel Drums, Photography, Technology, Library, Silk Screening, After School Tutoring, and The Council for Unity and Student Council.  These programs provide the students with experiences outside of the conventional academic arena and often with needed successes that help improve a student's confidence and widen interest.

Support of the academic/teaching program takes various forms including:

• those who provide direct services to students and teachers as a part of the student's Individual Education Plan (IEP) - Clinicians, Psychologists, Social Workers, Speech Therapists, and Nurses
• those in supervisory/administrative functions
• those providing crisis support
• those providing clerical/computer support

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Our Williamsbridge Annex serves 150 Day students in Kindergarten through Fifth grade.  These students are referred by parents or Committees on Special Education seeking specialized programming and services.  The school contains 13 classrooms, 2 technology labs, a music room and an all-purpose room.

1549 Williamsbridge Road
Bronx, NY 10461
Phone: 718.794.8262
Fax: 718.794.8269
Click here for directions

More than Our Elementary students regularly have drama, dance, and Club Fridays where students can explore various activities.

The Behavior Modification Program being used is geared at changing behavior that has negatively affected the student's ability to make use of available educational programs and resources.  The behavior modification system employs staff expertise, consultation, points, rewards and time-out procedures where students can explore their various interests.  Students can redeem their points for items in our school store and to go on school trips.

Our Reading Program addresses the different levels of students regardless of age or grade.

In today's educational climate, standardized assessment has become an integral part of the instructional program.  From the onset, assessment is an indispensable aid in diagnosing a student's level of performance resulting in an appropriate class placement.  On an on-going basis, assessment through standardized testing, helps determine a student's rate of progress and continued needs.  Recently, assessment is being used to compare a student's progress on a State and National level, and to examine the effectiveness of a school's program.

Grade 4 ELA Test, February 2005
Number of Students Tested: 26

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Grade 4 ELA Test, February 2004
Number of Students Tested: 32

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Grade 4 Mathematics Test, May 2005
Number of Students Tested: 23

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Grade 4 Mathematics Test, May 2004
Number of Students Tested: 27

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Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test, April - May 2006
Number of Students Tested: 35

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Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test, May 2005
Number of Students Tested: 25

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Grade 5 Elementary -Level Social Studies Test, November 2005
Number of Students Tested: 30

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Grade 5 Elementary -Level Social Studies Test, November 2004
Number of Students Tested: 30

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