Admissions Process

We hope you are as excited as we are about the first day of school! We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow! We thought it would be a good idea to go through the opening procedures one more time, to make sure everybody has a clear idea of what to expect.
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September 7th, the first day of the 23-24 school year! The school day runs from 8:20 to 2:40. That means, in general, ALL students are expected to be in at arrival locations AT 8:20.
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For tomorrow, here is the opening procedure:
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6th graders will use the gym/auditorium entrance on 237th street. Parents/caregivers and kids will say "so long" to each other outside; kids will be on their own inside—though with plenty of supervision and assistance from middle school staff. We will round them up by Period 1 teacher and send them to class. Period 1 teachers will distribute programs and remind students how to read them.
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7th & 8th graders will proceed through the arcade (facing Independence Avenue) and enter the cafeteria through the Arcade entrances. They will receive programs and head to period 1 classes.
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High School students will stop at the appropriate tables under the arcade to pick up programs and promptly proceed to their first period classrooms.
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If dropping off your child by car, PLEASE exercise EXTREME caution! Refrain from double and triple parking, and always be mindful of students and other pedestrians trying to cross the street or get off buses.
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Transportation information: The DOE is closely following the potential strike between private bus companies and bus drivers, which could impact approximately half of bus drivers and bus staff in NYC. The DOE has contingency plans set up to ensure that all impacted students can get to school safely. This includes distribution (by the school) of emergency Metrocards, and arrangements for pre-paid ride or transportation reimbursement (in specific cases). Affected families will receive automated emails, phone calls, and text messages from the DOE to the information on file in the ATS system. Please make sure the school has your most current, accurate, contact information by making sure your NYC Schools (NYCSA) Account is up-to-date. You will also find your yellow bus route/pick-up time, etc, on NYCSA. If you need help with your NYCSA account, please contact JPrince4@schools.nyc.gov. You can also get in-depth transportation information at schools.nyc.gov/school-life. We will also be distributing Metro Cards to entitled students tomorrow.
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All students will need to carry a laptop device with them throughout the school day. Students in Grades 7-12 who need to borrow a device from the school, may fill out the link here. 6th graders will receive assistance with their remote devices from their Math teachers and do not need to fill out the form. Password resets will be handled in the library periods 2-8.
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Teachers will share Google Classroom codes during the first days of school. Our school-parent communication will take place primarily through Jupiter Ed (test scores, assignments, grades, etc). This log-in info will also come during the first few days. You can find the staff email list in your Welcome Packet (see below) and staff will also continue to communicate individually through their @schools.nyc.gov accounts.
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Your child will be bringing a Welcome Packet after the first day of school. Please review the materials inside right away and complete and return the necessary forms. Among the most important are the two blue emergency cards and the school lunch form. Even though lunch (and breakfast) is free, the completed lunch form impacts the funding schools receive. If you receive a form in Spanish (we were short-shipped English ones), please note that you can (it's actually easiest for all) complete your lunch form ONLINE at Myschoolapps.com. Check out the "Lunch Form Raffle" info, as well!
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A quick reminder about our new school cell phone policy for students. In every class period, students must deposit their phones into the clear plastic pouch that is affixed to the front of each student desk. The phone will stay in each pouch for each entire class period, unless a student needs to use the restroom, in which case they will bring the phone to the teacher to trade for a hall pass. They will retrieve the phone when they return to the room. All classrooms will be following this procedure.
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Those of you with questions about the RNH Afterschool Program or any other RNH activities must contact their offices (located in the school building DIRECTLY. RNH is a separate administration from the school and develops and runs their own programs and registration. Their direct line is 718-796-4724, and their email is afterschool-rcc@riverdaleonline.org.
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Huge shout out to the Parents Association for supplying us with a wonderful Welcome Back luncheon yesterday and the school looks great thanks to the new rugs purchased by the PA. You can get involved too by emailing RKA141PA@gmail.com.
The staff and I are very excited to see the students again and for the first time!! The school looks great, we are ready, and we know it is going to be a great kick-off tomorrow.
First Day of School
September 7, 2023 8:20 AM
Thank you for your interest in joining the Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy MS/HS 141.
As a MS/HS we have two separate enrollment procedures. Please look below for the grade level of your child and follow the steps outlined below.
Middle School (entering Grades 6-8)
RKA MS is a zoned middle school. This means that students who live within our catchment area have a priority to a seat in our middle school and that students who do not live in our zone may not be able to be admitted. The school must also determine if we can properly accommodate the child's needs before admission.
During the summer, registrants may meet with an administrator Tuesdays and Thursdays from the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m at our summer location IN-Tech Academy 2975 Tibbett Ave, Bronx, NY 7/6, 7/11, 7/13, 7/25, 7/27, 8/1, 8/3, 8/8, 8/10, 8/15 and 8/17. Middle school registration will also be held at our school (660 West 237th Street, Bronx, NY) commencing on Monday, 08/28/23 through Thursday 08/31/23. Our Pupil Accounting Secretary/Registrar will be available to meet with parents from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
When registering your child for middle school with our Pupil Accounting Secretary/Registrar, you must bring with you the following documents and your child must be present:
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2 documents for proof of address (attached is a list of acceptable documents for proof of address)
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Proof of your child's age (child's birth certificate, passport, or record of baptism)
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Your child's immunization record
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The final report card provided by your child's last school attended
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Your child's IEP (if applicable
High School (entering Grades 9-12)
RKA HS is a screened high school. This means that all students must meet our academic screening criteria (on track for cohort with academic subject grades of 80+). All applicants must meet this minimum. The school must also determine if we can properly accommodate the child's needs before admission.
Students wishing to join our high school must first secure a referral letter from the Family Welcome Center and then come for an interview with Principal O'Mara. Over the summer break, the Principal will be holding interviews on Tuesdays and Thursdays from the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Principal O'Mara will be available on the following Tuesdays and Thursdays at our summer location IN-Tech Academy 2975 Tibbett Ave, Bronx, NY 7/6, 7/11, 7/13, 7/25, 7/27, 8/1, 8/3, 8/8, 8/10, and 8/17.
Please bring the following to meet with the Principal: photo ID, a copy of the referral letter given by the Bronx Family Welcome Center as well as a copy of your child's most recent transcript. Your child must be present during the interview. Unofficial records or on-line portals are not accepted. Families without proper documentation will not be seen until the required paperwork is assembled. To obtain a H.S. referral to our school, your first point of contact would be our Bronx Family Welcome Center. Below is the link to that location:
https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enrollment-help/family-welcome-centers
If your child is accepted into RKA HS, additional paperwork will be required as well.
The Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy MS/HS 141 is one of the most sought after public schools in the city.
We pride ourselves on our family feel, community values, meeting the needs of our diverse student population, excellent teaching and support staff, parent involvement, and, of course, offering our students a variety of academics, arts, athletics and activities.
MiddlE SChool
High School
Welcome to RKA!
As the months have passed, the city and its public school inch ever-closer to "business as usual." We're all back in-person, and enjoying it!
As we have been doing through it all, we continue to provide a full and well-rounded experience for all our learners and meet their varying needs. Our 6th grade curriculum includes five periods a week of ELA, augmented by five periods of Literature. Our Mathematics program follows a similar schedule, with five periods of Math and additional enrichment through our Math Through Technology classes. This is rounded off with our Social Studies, Science, and Foreign Language classes, and our "Specials," Music and Visual Art. We are pleased to be back in person with our Phys Ed classes and enjoying the great outdoors as the weather permits. All of our 8th graders are currently taking Algebra and Living Environment, capping off their middle school experience with Regents-level classes and giving them the opportunity to earn some high school credits while still in middle school!
We have expanded social and emotional support systems in place, more important than ever. In addition to our full and extra roster of guidance specialists, we have "Help Is Here." If a student needs to talk or emotional assistance of any kind, they need look no further than the nearest "Help is Here" sign--all over the building--and that RKA staff member will be sure to provide the support needed right away.
We are even working our way back to school-wide activities. We have had events both inside and outside for our students, celebrating the Fall and the onset of the holiday season. We have periodic "School Spirit" weeks to keep the mood happy! Will there be school dances in our future? We hope so!
Our RKA Parents' Association plays an active role in the school, raising funds and taking part in our School Leadership Team and other important school committees. They hold monthly meetings on Zoom, and you can also keep up-to-date with Principal O'Mara's monthly "Coffee with the Principal" and "Fireside Chats." These are still on Zoom, too, so it's easy to attend from anywhere!
Our partnership with RNH/Riverdale Community Center remains strong and their Afterschool Program--back in full business again--has a variety of programs in arts, music, sports, academies, and theater.
Of course, we continue to vigilantly follow all Department of Education-mandated COVID safety protocols, including masks, social distancing in classrooms, daily health screenings and weekly (at this time) COVID screening, and smaller lunchtime groupings. Our building is kept sanitary with continual spot-cleaning, and daily thorough cleansing by our custodial staff. We maintain our busy schedule of school safety drills.
We are proud to maintain our position as one of the most sought-after schools in the city with experienced and talented professionals teaching, supporting, enriching, and making the best decisions for our students' futures.
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Welcome to RKA!
As a 6th through 12th grade school, we are proud that the majority of our middle school students choose to carry on with us all the way through high school! At its best, a 7-year commitment with RKA provides a student with a full, well-rounded education, and prepares a student for whatever the future brings. At the conclusion of an RKA "career," students and faculty really feel part of one big family!
In addition to our full college-preparatory program, including many Advanced Placement and Dual-Enrollment classes, high school students can also select from a variety of electives that can include Journalism, Personal Finance, Research, Psychology, Film, Creative Writing, and advanced opportunities in Visual Art and Music. We have a full-service College Office, and starting in the 9th grade, students are set on a college-ready course. This includes developing community-mindedness and resume-building through our Key Club, and taking part in our "One Goal" and Triple C" programs, which prepare students for college and career. Frequent assemblies and grade-level meetings for students and parents keep families up-to-date on credit accumulation, sports, activities, college applications, and applying for financial aid and scholarships. We are proud to have a college acceptance rate of 92%. We are regularly listed in both the New York Post and USA Today as a top high school in New York City.
Currently, we have been very successful in following all the Department of Education-mandated safety protocols at RKA, including small class size, social-distancing, daily health screenings and temperature checks, and hands-free lunch delivery to classrooms. Our school building is kept sanitary with continual spot-cleaning, and daily thorough cleanings by our custodial staff. We even maintain our busy schedule of mandated safety drills during this time.
While some of our popular programs are "on hold" at the moment, you can be sure we are continuing a high level of school spirit and involvement. Whether virtual or in-person, there are School Spirit Weeks, a yearbook and a school literary magazine, activities and celebrations, and a Student Government active and engaged in the life of the school.
​When sports are in play, our varsity teams are hard to beat! Our sports include: Baseball, Softball, Girls' and Boys' Soccer and Basketball, Girls' and Boys' Track and Cross Country, Wrestling, Golf, and Girls' Volleyball. Many of our teams regularly end up in the PSAL city playoffs, and we have even seen our Baseball and Volleyball teams land city championships!
We are very proud of our students, and we appreciate your interest in RKA!​