Bank Street College of Education

What is the history of Bank Street College of Education?

Bank Street College of Education traces its origins to the Bureau of Educational Experiments, founded in New York City in 1916 by Lucy Sprague Mitchell and colleagues. Their work centered on studying how children learn and using those observations to shape teaching.

The organization later took the Bank Street name from its former Greenwich Village location. It developed graduate preparation for educators alongside programs serving children and families. That combination of teacher education, classroom practice, and research into child development remains central to the college's identity.

What are the faculties and departments at Bank Street College of Education?

Bank Street is a specialized graduate institution rather than a university with a broad range of undergraduate faculties. Its Graduate School of Education prepares educators and related professionals through master's degrees and advanced certificates.

Areas of study include early childhood and childhood education, special education, literacy, bilingual education, and educational leadership. Program choices matter: a degree intended for New York State teacher certification has different coursework and fieldwork requirements from one designed for professional development without an initial teaching credential. Bank Street also operates educational programs for children, but enrollment in those programs is distinct from enrollment in its graduate school.

What is the location of Bank Street College of Education?

Bank Street College of Education is at 610 West 112th Street in New York City, in the Morningside Heights area of Manhattan. Its urban setting gives students access to schools, community organizations, libraries, and public transportation.

For graduate students, location can affect more than the trip to class: supervised classroom placements may require travel to sites elsewhere in the city. Applicants balancing work, coursework, and fieldwork should consider the time and cost of those separate commutes.

What is the mission and vision of Bank Street College of Education?

Bank Street describes its purpose in terms of improving education for children and adults through teaching, research, and direct work with schools and communities. Its educational approach emphasizes observation, hands-on experience, reflection, and attention to children's development and social contexts.

These are the college's stated priorities, not a guarantee that every course or placement will suit every learner. Prospective students can assess the fit by comparing a program's course descriptions and fieldwork model with their own preferred way of learning and teaching.