Manhattanville Partners With Alexander Ham High

ELMSFORD, N.Y. — A ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday marked the beginning of a partnership between Alexander Hamilton High School and Manhattanville College.

With the creation of a professional development school at Alexander Hamilton, aspiring teachers from Manhattanville College will come to the school to watch its teachers at work and assist them in their daily tasks. In other words, the school will work as a laboratory for the college’s teacher candidates.  

“The two institutions will share responsibilities and blend expertise and resources for several purposes,” Dr. Barbara Peters, Elmsford superintendent of schools, said to representatives of Manhattanville College, teachers and approximately 100 students gathered at the school’s auditorium.

Peters saved to the end of her speech another attractive benefit of the partnership. “A one-third tuition discount for Elmsford teachers wishing to take courses at Manhattanville College, and a 50 percent tuition discount for the school’s graduates who qualify for admission to the college.”

“That’s huge,” she said, just before the students burst into cheering and applause.

Principal Marc Baiocco said the interaction with Manhattanville College’s highly qualified to-be teachers will make the students more competitive.

“That’s all this partnership is about,” he said. “Making sure you will be able to compete once you go out to college and proceed with your careers.”

Manhattanville College representatives who attended the ceremony had kind words for Alexander Hamilton High School.

“We at Manhattanville think that it is an honor to be able to work with you, and hope that you feel the same about us,” said Shelley Wepner, dean of the college’s school of education.  

Hector Hernandez, who teaches business and entrepreneurship at Alexander Hamilton, believes the discounted tuitions are a good opportunity for the school’s teachers wanting to expand their knowledge.

“That’s a great incentive right there,” he said.

Hernandez mentioned that, even though he has a Master's degree and certificates, he might decide to obtain others, such as English as a second language (ESL).

“Teachers never stop learning, as well as students,” he said. 

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