Applying to the Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy MS/HS 141

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.

Many things have changed since March 2020, but our commitment to your children has not.   
We have the largest in-person attendance in the Bronx, a testament to the fact that our students want to be here. 
​Whether you choose Remote or Blended instruction, we know your child will have the best experience possible.  

Middle School

What We Offer

​Welcome to RKA! 

We cannot say it is "business as usual" these days, but we'd love to tell you about our school as it is right now, and how it is under "normal circumstances"--how it was pre-COVID, and how it will be again in the future.

Right now, we are proud that we continue to provide a full and well-rounded experience for ALL our learners--both those who participate in Blended Learning (the highest percentage in the Bronx) and those who choose to study 100% Remotely from home at this time. Our 6th grade curriculum includes 5 periods a week of ELA, augmented by5 periods a week of Literature studies. Our Mathematics classes follow a similar schedule, with 5 periods of Math and 2 or 3 a week of enrichment with our Math through Technology classes. This is rounded off with our Social Studies, Science,  and Foreign Language classes, and survey-approach specials classes in Music and Visual Art.  All of our 8th graders are taking Algebra and Living 
Environment this year.   We even continue to offer Physical Education (remotely), to ensure our students remain active during this time.

We have been very successful 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 we cannot have our usual program of dances, parties, and class trips, we have maintained school spirit virtually! School Spirit and themed dress-up days are a part of both our Blended and Remote Learners' school experience, and we continue such feel-good initiatives like our "You Make a Difference" awards, honoring members of the school who enrich the lives of others in the RKA community. Our RKA Parents' Association still plays an active role in the school, raising funds and taking part in our School Leadership Team, and Safety and Partnership Committees, all via the magic of Zoom!

Our partnership with RNH/Riverdale Community Center remains strong, and when it is going at full-speed, has a variety of programs in arts, music, sports, academics, and theater as part of their free Afterschool Program.

Through it all, 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.  

How to apply/ Student Selection



Our Middle School is a zoned middle school which means that students must live in our catchment area.  If the student is zoned for our school, our school will appear on the pre-populated application families are provided form the elementary schools.  Students who are not zoned may still list RKA however their placement can only be considered after the zoned students have been situated.  Those additional seats will be handled via lottery through the Office of Student Enrollment.   We regret that we cannot allow in all applicants but we are limited by the capacity of our building.

Our high quality  zoned program is comprised of students who live in a qualifying address within our catchment area.  If the student's address falls into the catchment are, RKA will appear on the child's prepopulated application. All students who apply under the zoned program will be admitted.  You may contact JPrince4@schools.nyc.gov for details. 

There are also a small number of seats reserved for students who are zoned to x368 as a part of the plans developed when each of the schools opened up.  Any student who is eligible for admission through this processes will have RKA listed on their application.

If you would like to confirm whether or not your address is zoned for our school you may contact JPrince4@schools.nyc.gov.  

High School 

What We Offer

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!​

How to apply

Our High School  is comprised largely of students who continue on with us from 8th grade.  From year to year we consistently have very few seats available for new admissions through the HS Enrollment process.  Additionally, we are NOT a Specialized High School, but we are a SCREENED High School which means we use grades and attendance date to vet and rank candidates. 

Students who are interested in vying for a seat should list us on their HS application.  We are program x80A. 

All applicants will be ranked according to their qualifications.  The DOE's computer matches students to THEIR highest ranked school which also selected them and notices go out to families in the spring.  If a student is not selected in the main round they may add themselves to the waiting list in the chance a seat opens up in the future.  The waitlist is also managed by rank according to the DOE policies. 

The rank in which students place schools on their application is very important.  You do not have to put RKA as your top choice, but if the student matches to any school which is ranked above us, they will be attending that other school.  Because we are so full, we are not able to re-admit any students (even our 8th grade graduates) who selected another school but wish to return. 

Some qualified students may be selected for a seat in a Specialized High School.  Such students will only receive an offer to a Specialized HS and one offer to a "regular" high school such as RKA.  Students who do not receive a Specialized HS offer will only receive one "regular" high school offer.

Student Selection

Remind

Join our Remind group for current 5th Grade families (RKA Future Class of 2028)

Click here
All students who apply to RKA will be ranked according to the criteria on the attached rubric. Students receive points based on their qualifications in the following categories: course grades, NYS test scores and honors differentials.     
Once all of the students are ranked the DOE's computer processes the ranks against the way in which students ranked the schools to which they are applying. 

The DOE does give priority to the students articulating from 8th grade at RKA to 9th Grade at RKA then fills in any remaining seats with the next highest ranked candidates.  Additional priority is given to students in District 10, then the Bronx, and finally to a citywide draw.  

8th Grade Presentation on HS Admissions 

Current RKA 8th Grade Dues Info

Timeline

The middle school application will open during the week of January 11, 2021. Families and school staff will be notified when     the application opens. 
The deadline for families to submit their middle school application will be the week of February 8, 2021. 

Timeline

  • Registration for the SHSAT and LaGuardia High School auditions IS OPEN. The deadline to register is Friday, January 15, 2021.​
  • The High School Application will open the week of January 19 and close on February 23.
  • 8th grade public school students will take the SHSAT at their current school on January 27, 2021. 
  • Any 8th grade or first-time 9th grade student (who lives in NYC) can apply to any/all of the programs at LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and the Performing Arts by registering to audition and then submitting audition materials online.  Register to audition by the week of February 22.