PARENTS: NEW ACADEMY FAMILIES

Welcome

New families at the Academy find a welcoming environment with many established support systems in place to help answer questions and quickly make families feel connected to the community.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What forms are needed to be completed before the start of school?
A complete listing of Back to School materials is located in our Parent Resources section of SIA NET. Materials are available online by August 1. Textbooks for Grades 7-12 are purchased online from the varsitybooks.com website. The book store is “open for business” with Middle and Upper School textbooks by the end of July each year.

What are the hours in a school day? What time is arrival and dismissal?
The school day begins at 8:10 AM and ends at 3:20 PM for Grades 1-12. Full day Pre-K and Kindergarten dismiss at 3:20 PM; Half day Pre-K dismisses at 12 noon. The campus is open at 7:00 AM for the Morning Extended Day program, which meets in the Early Childhood building. After dismissal, students can attend the After School and/or Adventures programs from 3:30-7:00 PM.
More information on the Extended Day program.

Is bus service available for my child?
Yes, Pioneer Bus Service provides transportation to eligible students along designated NYC Board of Ed. routes, including a shuttle bus that operates between the school and local train stations. Bus service also runs round trip from Brooklyn to Staten Island. More...

When does the school year begin and end? Why does the Academy follow a different calendar from the public or parochial schools?
The Academy is an independent school so the calendar of opening and closings generally follows the calendar set by the Guild Schools of New York. Advanced Placement classes and pre-season athletic practices begin in late August.
Visit the Online Calendar.

What type of lunch program is available at the Academy?
The Academy participates in a Fresh and Healthy Eating Program managed by Culinart, a private independent food service contractor. All Academy students are permitted to bring their own lunch from home or purchase meals.
Learn more about our luncheon options.

Do Academy students all come from Staten Island?
While most students at the Academy do live in Staten Island, there are a number of students who live in Brooklyn, Manhattan and New Jersey including Bayonne.

How can our family become active members of the community? What opportunities do parents have for involvement?
There are many opportunities for parent involvement at the Academy. The Parents' League organizes many events and activities. Active volunteerism will help you get to know other parents and make a positive contribution to your child's school. More...

Visit our SIA NET for answers to frequently asked questions, links to resources and information about daily school events. More...