CORNELIA F BRADFORD 16

Cornelia F. Bradford, P.S. # 16, is a small, culturally diverse, and educationally sound school. Our school has a warm, wholesome climate that allows children to grow and learn.
Our mission is very simple: all students who enter the halls of Cornelia F. Bradford School will be educated in a safe environment. They will become better students. They will become better citizens. They will become better sons and daughters. The staff of P.S. # 16 is committed to ensuring that the mission will be fulfilled with the cooperation of parents and the community.

Cornelia F. Bradford School is the proud recipient of the Sixth Annual National School Change Award. This award recognizes schools that have demonstrated significant change. We are one of six schools chosen throughout the United States by the joint sponsors of Fordham University Graduate School of Education, Pearson Education and the American Association of School Administrators. In addition to being chosen the winner of the National School Change Award, the Cornelia F. Bradford School 16 won two out of thirty-one "Best Practice" awards granted by the New Jersey Department of Education.

At Cornelia Bradford School we use "Teamwork to make the dream work". School staff, parents, students, and community agencies are involved in designing appropriate solutions to any concerns the stakeholders may have. The School Leadership Council (SLC), the various subcommittees, and our Student Council use the process of collaboration, no-fault, and consensus to make decisions. All stakeholders, including the principal, faculty, support staff, parents, students, and community, are responsible for the successful implementation of this process.

The school maintains a positive involvement with parents and the community at large in order to strengthen communications among all parties. The school holds many of its celebrations outdoors so the community can be involved. The Concerned Parents Association (CPA) is continually involved in school activities. Our CPA focuses on strengthening relationships between the diverse ethnic groups in our community, improving communication with our children, and increasing the active participation of parents in our school. Parents are welcomed into our school with activities such as "Bring Your Parent to School Day".

Expectations for student behavior are clearly stated in the Student Code of Conduct Handbook, which is distributed at the beginning of each school year. Students and faculty understand that discipline is integral to the learning process. Our Student Council has developed a Student Pledge. The Pledge is recited each morning, and at all school functions. One hundred percent of our students wear the school uniform.

Cornelia F. Bradford School is a fully inclusive school. The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, Education Task Force has cited our program as a model for inclusive education. We are successful because all of our stakeholders assume responsibility for all of our students.

Cornelia F. Bradford School is committed to infusing technology across the curriculum. Each classroom has a minimum of four computers connected to a printer. In addition, students use Alpha-Smart keyboards to type their daily journals and classroom writing assignments. The school has a computer lab with 18 computers, a laser printer and Smart-Board technology. An additional seven computers and laser printer are located in the library research lab. The entire school facility is networked and connected to the Internet, which facilitates intra- and inter-school communication. With easy access to the Internet and Email from each station, teachers and students can share information and research data. The school also offers a school based educational technology coordinator who focuses on enhancing the building's technological programs, a technology class size reduction teacher servicing small groups of students with computer instruction.

Teachers at all grade levels prepare students for the NJASK and GEPA tests. In Grades 1 and 2, teachers instruct the same students for two years (looping). In Grades 3 & 4, the teachers are departmentalized (teaching either math or language arts) as well as participate in looping. In Grades 5 & 6 and Grades 7 & 8, the students stay with the same teachers for Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies for two years in our departmental/looping program. Teachers are able to develop an understanding of the students' needs while fostering an educational partnership with the students and their parents.

Cornelia F. Bradford School offers an extensive Extended Day Program which includes, NJASK and GEPA Preparation, Chess Club, D.A.R.E. Dance Club, Honors Spanish, Reading and Writing Clubs, Math Clubs, Science Clubs, Scholastic Bowl, Computer Club, Conflict Resolution Club, Piano Lessons, Violin Lessons, Choir, Swimming, Band, Tutoring, Creative Movement, and Yearbook Club, as well as sports activities (Track, Basketball, Flag Football, and Volleyball). In addition we have C.A.S.P.E.R. after-school care.

Cornelia F. Bradford School participates in programs such as Reading is Fundamental (RIF), Everybody Wins, Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.), Joint Activities, Panasonic Kid-Witness News, Reading Recovery Program, 100 Book Challenge.

Student success and achievement is expected and celebrated at Cornelia F. Bradford, P.S. # 16.


"Teamwork to make the dream work"



Terry Watkins-Williams
201-915-6450