Mount Kisco Elementary School

47 West Hyatt Avenue

School District

Bedford Central
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:6
Type

public

School Map for Bedford Central School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 09, 2023

This is a beautiful school. Our child is thriving. The teachers are phenomenal and invest in whole development of kids. So many fun afterschool programs.
Submitted by parent on November 13, 2023

This school is an absolute gem. The sense of community is nothing like I’ve ever experienced in my decades working in the education sector. The kids are kind and curious, reflecting back the characteristics of the phenomenal faculty. The Dual Language program is exemplary. My 3rd grader can read, write, and speak in Spanish, despite coming from a monolingual English speaking home. My child receives personalized attention from her teachers, who are in constant contact with us. Kids are really educated according to their needs and strengths, and get the benefit of acquiring a second language, building authentic relationships across ethnic and linguistic differences, and feel safe, valued, and supported at school. Folks sometimes get worried about test scores (which inform great schools ratings), but remember that state tests are administered in English. When you disaggregate the data, MKES performs on par with the other district schools. If tests were also administered in Spanish, I have every confidence the aggregate data would reflect the same.You won’t regret sending your kid to MKES. It’s a special place, and we are so grateful for the impact the school has made on our family.
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2023

Our daughter is in her fourth year at MKES, and she loves it. There is an excellent community spirit and a very active PTA with lots of fun and engaging events. The community in Mount Kisco is very diverse and this is reflected in the elementary school, which has a DLBE program (dual language bilingual education). Kids learn in Spanish and English, alternating days. It's been an amazing experience and our daughter speaks Spanish very well, despite being shy to do so in public. This early bilingual experience will also have a lasting cognitive benefit. The teachers are incredibly supportive and enthusiastic and have been excellent partners in our daughter's education and development. We couldn't be happier with MKES.
Submitted by parent on May 08, 2023

A unique education opportunity for students and families within the BCSD community! We couldn’t be happier with our decision to send our child to Mount Kisco Elementary. The administrators and educators are wonderful and are in touch with each students’ strengths and opportunities. They address the students individual needs and give them the tools and resources they need to succeed in the classroom. Our child has embraced this dynamic approach to education and is thriving! In addition to excelling in academics, our child is now reading and speaking more Spanish than we do. Each day friends are made across cultures - language & background presents no barrier to friendship. The students collaborate in the classroom to help each other in the daily lessons. The student body is filled with interesting families from around the world and there are many gatherings throughout the year planned by the PTA. In addition to what our child has learned at MKES, we did not want to miss out on the benefits of a bilingual education: the positive effects on cognitive development from speaking more than one language, preparation for the future in an international world, enhanced social skills, open-mindedness, empathy, expanded world view, and curiosity. Many private bilingual programs follow the same daily structure and curriculum that is provided at the school. We think MKES is a very special place and we are so proud of our child’s development and being part of this incredible community.
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2020

Every year we've had wonderful teachers and the administration is committed and involved. The PTA is active and there are numerous events through the year (Family Fun Night, Kids Night Out, Parents Night Out, Bingo, Spaghetti Dinner, Pancake Breakfast, 5K, etc.). Our daughter has thrived here, and loves her school. Even (especially) during Covid, MKES staff and teachers have done a wonderful job maintaining connection and a sense of community for the kids.
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2018

My son has thrived at MKES! His Kindergarten teacher is very attentive, communicative, and really sparks a love for learning. The dual language program is one of the reasons we chose this district when we purchased our home and although I can’t speak from personal experience (the program begins in 1st grade), we have heard good things and are eager for our son to have this opportunity. I am a bit surprised by the low equity score...from everything I have seen, there is a significant effort by the school to engage all students and their parents (all notices are sent home in English and Spanish and community events include announcements in both languages) and most children take advantage of the dual language program. The new principal has great energy and often attends after school activities. Great school!
Submitted by parent on December 02, 2017

Fantastic. New principal is amazing and my child is,enjoying learning and meeting children of diverse cultures
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2017

I could not recommend MKES more. The teachers are amazing, the leadership couldn't more attentive, and the school is its own community. Lucky to have sent our daughters through it. Great experience.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2014

This school is a great school because the principal, teachers and staffs give a welcome not only to the students, also to the parents. You feel confident that you children are in the best school of Westchester with good and great teachers.
Submitted by parent on June 15, 2013

We specifically chose to live in Mount Kisco because of the quality of the education in this elementary school. We have been in the school for 5 years, and cannot be more pleased. Our children are all very different, and all the services they have received - from gifted/enrichment, to speech, to reading assistance - have been top notch. The diversity of the school is an asset, and the teachers and staff are phenomenal. Our principal has very high expectations for her teachers, and they deliver. Not only do they provide great classroom experiences, but they are also omnipresent at school functions outside of the regular day, which is not something you see at every elementary school. We have a great community of parents who are very supportive of the school, and who contribute their time and/or money to help provide additional enrichment and extracurricular opportunities. We continue to be very satisfied with MKES, and our children are extremely happy as well.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2013

Terrific school under tremendous leadership! A true hidden gem of a program. My children all attend and have encountered thoughtful administration and staff that understand them as learners and individuals. Initially put off by the size of the program, we quickly learned that the school is nimble and responsive despite its size. The offerings are extensive and the school has the support of an amazing PTA.