News! May 13, 1998

Dobbs Ferry Receives National Recognition for
Providing "What Parents Want"

Dobbs Ferry recently learned that it has been selected by the research firm SchoolMatch as a 1998 award-winning school system. SchoolMatch is an educational research firm with an extensive database containing information on all 15,620 school districts in the country. SchoolMatch informed the district that it is among a select group fitting the model of "What Parents Want," which includes schools that are:

… Competitive in academic test scores and are academically solid, but not so rigorous as to intimidate their children.

… Accredited by state and regional authorities.

… Recognized for excellence by a national foundation or by the U.S. Department of Education.

… Competitive in teacher salaries.

… Above average in instructional expenditures on a national percentile basis.

… Above average in expenditures for library/media services on a national percentile basis.

… Known for its small class size.

SchoolMatch, which is based in Columbus, Ohio, announced the results of its Seventh Annual Awards in a letter to state school leadership associations. Only 14 percent of the nation's public school districts have been recognized for meeting the needs of families choosing schools.

Corporations and consumers use SchoolMatch when moving, upgrading residences, relocating to a new area, and for general information about schools. Over 56,000 parents contacted the service in 1997. The service is offered as an employee benefit by approximately 400 companies, including Fidelity, UPS, Ernst & Young, Hewlett Packard, KPMG Peat Marwick, and Nationwide Insurance.

In 1996 Dobbs Ferry was recognized by Money Magazine as being one of the "Top 100 Schools in Towns You Can Afford."

Schools superintendent Frank Tota was pleased - but not surprised - by the favorable attention. He noted that anyone interested in the quality of Dobbs Ferry Schools doesn't have to rely on such national reports. "Anyone can visit us to learn more and see the schools for themselves. We also maintain a list of a dozen or more parents, students, and staff who are glad to answer questions and share their own first-hand accounts."

For more information, contact:

Michael Stewart, Executive Director
Dobbs Ferry Schools Foundation
505 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
914-693-1500 ext. 3041

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