About Us
About Our Administration
Welcome to Van Nest Academy, our exceptional K-8 school in the vibrant borough of the Bronx, led by the founding principal, Carol Ann Gilligan. Her passion for education and profound belief in the potential of every child have shaped our school into a nurturing and inclusive haven for learning and growth. Her steadfast dedication to children and the community has become a guiding light, igniting a love for learning and empowering the next generation of leaders. We are proud to have her as the leader of our school, driving us toward excellence and shaping a brighter future for all.
She is aided by Assistant Principals Ann Reynolds (right), Melanie Marino (left), and Casey Kenny (middle). Working together, they play a crucial role in serving the community by providing support, guidance, and leadership to students and teachers. Their dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive educational environment greatly impacts students' lives, helping them grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
Our Mission
Mission Statement:
The Van Nest Academy is a community of HEROES* and life-long learners who work together to develop our students into exemplary, free-thinking citizens, positively impacting our society for a brighter future…...globally, nationally, locally, and personally.
H-helping others
E-engaging in learning
R-respecting all people and property
O-organized
E-everyday responsible
S- safe, first and always
Vision:We at VNA are dedicated to cultivating a community of proficient readers and writers across ALL content areas, by creating increased opportunities for students to consistently validate opinions, both orally and in writing, read rigorous text closely, use academic vocabulary in multiple settings, cull data and relevant information from multiple sources to draw valid conclusions, and, in a methodical manner, make their thinking visible.
We will also shape generations of problem solvers who confidently dissect real world tasks, both independently and collaboratively, and who can cohesively express themselves in a high school, college, and career setting.
Our Instructional Coaches
Instructional coaches play a pivotal role in enhancing the instructional focus of our school, particularly in Expeditionary Learning and Illustrative Math. Their expertise and guidance are invaluable in supporting teachers in delivering high-quality education to our students. These coaches provide a unique perspective and skill set that empowers educators to develop innovative teaching strategies and adapt to evolving educational trends.
ELA Instructional Coach: C. Galasso (left)
Math Instructional Coach: C. Lupinacci (right)
Our Instructional Focus
VNA Instructional Focus:
If we analyze data regularly from screeners, formative checks for understanding and summative assessments, use it as a lens to unpack units and plan for lessons, and identify the opportunities within lessons to purposefully provide tier II and tier III interventions when warranted,
Then we will be better able to meet the needs of individuals and groups of students and, while tracking their progress, we will see marked improvement in students’ overall achievement.
Focus/Priority Statement
Build teacher capacity by utilizing programming and budget resources to provide opportunities for teachers to plan and partner with coaches and consultants; to regularly analyze data and identify students targeted for AIS; and to leverage the data in increased opportunities within all subject lessons for interventions for individuals and groups of students.
VNA Equity Focus
IF we, as a school community, take every opportunity to celebrate, and not merely tolerate, our diverse ethnic backgrounds, to celebrate the individual identities (race, language, ethnicity and gender) and take time to learn the stories of all students, staff and families,
THEN we will see an increase in the trust, unity, motivation and resiliency in our students, as measured by decreased OORS incidents, improved student satisfaction on the Learning Environment surveys and improved scores on the Success Highways Metrics.
