Our Mission and History

At St. Barnabas Elementary School, we value the dignity of every human being, as we believe that each child is a unique individual, created in and reflecting the image of a loving God. We are committed to establishing, maintaining, and nurturing a diverse, safe, and inclusive environment where people of all faith traditions are welcomed, valued, and heard. Essential to our Catholic identity is the conviction that diversity enhances the quality of an SBS education and is essential to the development of a well-rounded person.

John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York, established Saint Barnabas Parish in June 1910. The elementary school was opened to 104 students by the first pastor, Monsignor Michael A. Reilly, in 1913.
In 1915, the cornerstone was laid for what is today St. Barnabas Elementary School. 

Today, St. Barnabas Elementary School (SBS), enrolls some 300 students annually in UPK and grades PreK-3 through grade eight. The school offers a completely revised curriculum designed to meet the needs of the 21st Century.

All of our early childhood classrooms use Center-Based Learning to encourage children to make their own choices about selecting activities. This creates self-motivated, independent thinkers and helps them develop social skills as they interact with their peers during various academic and play activities.

SBS offers free Universal Preschool (UPK), for New York City residents and Yonkers residents through partnerships with these city's Boards of Education.

Rigorous academics, rooted in the Catholic faith tradition, and high quality enrichment experiences are the hallmark of a St.Barnabas Elementary School education. Instructional time is sacred and the school day is designed to maximize student learning.

A 'grade-band' model allows faculty to hone in on individual student needs and provide intervention tailored to each child. Students in Kindergarten through grade four switch classes once per day to work on their individual academic goals and strengths. Students in grades five through eight, switch classes according to subject allowing for a deep dive into each discipline taught by content experts. 

St. Barnabas offers Smartboard technology in each classroom and features 1:1 technology for all students in Kindergarten through grade eight. Students in younger grades use iPads. Older students use Chromebooks. Digital curricular resources are available for each academic subject offering students to the opportunity to continue learning at home.