Frequently-Asked Questions
Who are our students?
Adults from Bronxville and its surrounding communities, including Connecticut and New York City, come to the Bronxville Adult School to create, learn new skills, and enrich body and mind. Anyone 18 years and older is welcome. A typical class may include friends seeking a fun night out, empty-nesters looking to rejuvenate their creative talents, seniors exercising to stay fit, or new residents looking to meet people. BAS has many “regulars” as well as people trying a class for the first time. Total enrollment is over 4500 per year.
What classes do we offer?
BAS’s diverse programming includes over 200 classes across 11 categories. There are single-night classes as well as courses that run multiple weeks. BAS continually evaluates and refines the curriculum, dropping and adding classes as student interests change. You will always find a class you want to take! The hard part is figuring out how many fit your schedule. If you have a suggestion for a class or an instructor, please email us at adultschool@bronxvilleschool.org.
Who are the instructors?
Our amazing instructors are what make BAS exceptional. Not only are they accomplished in their field, but BAS instructors love teaching adults. They engage, support, and inspire without pressure or stress.
Where and when are classes?
BAS follows The Bronxville School public school schedule, holding classes from September to June and adhering to school holidays and inclement weather closings. While most classes are held in the evenings, Monday-Thursday at The Bronxville School, we offer classes every day of the week, day and night, with some held at nearby locations including Sportime/Lake Isle, Studio B Dance Center, and the Tuckahoe Community Center.
How much do classes cost?
Part of the BAS mission is to provide adult education that is accessible to all. Class fees are kept as low as possible and typically include all supplies.
What makes BAS different from other adult education schools?
BAS’s friendly, supportive community sets it apart from other schools. People come to learn but frequently end up taking multiple classes each year because of the positive, stress-free environment for learning. There is something special about taking an interesting class with a group of people who share your interests, taught by an instructor who makes the experience fun, relaxed, and inspiring. You leave feeling enriched and happy. The combination of a diverse and flexible curriculum and affordable pricing makes signing up an easy choice.
How did BAS begin?
In November 1942, as Bronxville citizens were preparing themselves for the war and post-war years, The Bronxville School and the PTA started adult education classes to fill a vacuum of uncertainty. In so doing, they launched the Bronxville Adult School. The school opened with 180 students. Original classes included aircraft drafting and blueprint reading, which attracted 16 students, 13 of whom were women preparing for defense jobs. Sixteen women took the “fix it yourself” class, and 29 women enrolled in an evening typing class, with 14 specializing in stenography. Recognizing increasing cooperation between the United States and Spanish-speaking countries, 36 men and women met weekly to study Spanish, a class which has been offered ever since. Many free classes were offered that centered around leisure activities for children, designed to alleviate wartime tension. These classes drew standing room only crowds. Dressmaking, public speaking, music appreciation, and woodworking rounded out the inaugural curriculum.
The Bronxville Adult School was incorporated in 1957 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. That year, former Chairman of the Bronxville Adult School, G. Gordon Studebaker, summed up the goal of the school perfectly when he said, “It is my sincere conviction that any kind of education or recreational activity which helps people young and old grow in their understanding and abilities or improve their well-being is worthy of all our efforts.”