Believing in Educational Excellence

Where Student Success and Community Engagement Come First

Guided by three words- Believe, Belong, Become- Binghamton City Schools is a district dedicated to academic excellence, student well-being, and strong community partnerships.

“We want to see each and every student succeed by creating an environment that supports them to believe in themselves, to have a sense of belonging and to become the best versions of themselves,” emphasizes Superintendent Dr. Tonia Thompson.

“When we’re crafting our district mission and district goals, we bring in stakeholders, parents, students, district administration, teachers, community members, to ensure that that mission is really a reflection of what we all want to see happen for our students.” This shared commitment to growth and collaboration has helped the Binghamton City School District maintain its Middle States Accreditation for over 30 years, exemplifying  its dedication to continuous improvement and educational excellence.

Prioritizing a holistic approach, the district ensures that students receive more than just a strong academic foundation. “We focus very heavily on social emotional learning and engagement, with extracurricular activities being a primary focus of what we are able to do for students,” Dr. Thompson imparts. Options range from athletics, music, and the arts, to less formal activities during the day. In addition, programs such as mindfulness initiatives, counseling services, and mentorship opportunities help create a supportive learning environment.

Nurturing Creativity and Excellence

Binghamton High School proudly hosts the internationally acclaimed Rod Serling School of Fine Arts, named after the esteemed author and 1943 graduate. With over 50 fine arts courses, students can major in visual art, music, theater, and dance.

“The Rod Serling School of Fine Arts produces incredible performances,” expands Dr. Thompson. “We do a fall play and then a spring musical, along with a variety of different concerts throughout the year. Fully realizing the fine arts has really been an asset for this district.” Binghamton also offers a wide array of high school courses, including  Career and Technical pathways such as business, accounting, and culinary arts.

In an effort to foster rich learning environments, the district collaborates with educational organizations like Solution Tree, and each school has established leadership teams that support grade level and subject specific content. These teams convene regularly to analyze student performance data, identify areas for improvement, and develop targeted instructional strategies aligned with national standards.

Investing in Infrastructure for Enhanced Learning

Binghamton City School District is committed to providing ideal learning environments, and a study was conducted two years ago to assess infrastructure needs, from interior and exterior maintenance to the renovation of aging buildings. “This district has always had a tremendous investment in capital, because they believe that our buildings are the centers of our community,” Thompson relays. “So, we’ve looked at our footprint and evaluated it with the district.”

Benjamin Franklin Elementary School is one example of these efforts. The school has undergone extensive renovations, starting with the kindergarten floor, which has been transformed into a state-of-the-art educational space. Plans are in place to continue these upgrades, with the next two floors slated for renovation in the next capital project. “At the exterior, it looks like a very traditional, older school. If you walk inside, you feel like you’re in a brand new school,” she describes.

Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School, located on the city’s north side, is also set for a major overhaul. Aware of the building’s aging infrastructure and the use of asbestos when the school was built, the district secured special legislation to access enhanced state aid, allowing for a $56 million renovation project. “We’re taking $24 million in capital reserve and combining it  with that other aid, and we’re able to  gut a part of that school and rebuild a brand new Elementary School. It is very exciting to have another brand new building in an old school district. We’re hoping to regenerate that community,” Dr. Thompson remarks.

At the high school level, BCSD is investing in several enhancements including the restoration of the historic main entrance, supported by grant funding. Plans are underway to introduce a recording studio and a communications suite, providing students with hands-on experience and aligning with their interests. “We will have a career center, where guidance counselors and outside organizations for workforce development and college readiness can come and meet with students,” Thompson details. “We’ve also committed to upgrading all of our cafeterias and our gymnasiums, and we’re now moving into some library spaces as well.”

Community and Family Partnerships

Recognizing the value of community engagement, Binghamton City School District has embraced a community school model. Starting at birth families can enrol in the Parents and Children Together (PACT) program, where parent educators will visit the home and offer resources and guidance on development and parenting. Along with this, Binghamton is one of two districts in the state offering full day programming for three and four year olds. At the elementary level, Binghamton City Schools supports its students with on-site physical and mental health clinics through United Health Services, food pantries, and after-school programs, all designed to contribute to the holistic development of every child. At the elementary level, parent engagement is encouraged through evening programs in which teachers and community partners offer courses from dancing to cooking, that allow parents and children to learn new skills together.

Additionally, the district embeds family liaisons within the schools, working closely with the local Department of Social Services to proactively address family needs. “We have nine of those positions in place,” details Thompson. “Our desire is to have one in every elementary school and one in each of our middle schools.”

Binghamton also collaborates with Liberty Partnership and Hillside Family and Children to provide students with internships, college preparation programs, and workforce development initiatives, as well as transportation to these opportunities. To assist high school students and help overcome barriers to higher education, the district also partners with the TRIO, and Upward Bound programs. “We have mentors and youth advocates. Those are district created positions because we often will find people in the community who are really good with kids, and we want them on our team,” acknowledges Thompson.

“When you walk into a building we have what we call Student Support Teams, which is when we wrap around students who have either a need that just came to our attention or maybe has not been successful, they go to that team framework. We have a variety of resources already sitting at that table.”

Empowering Educators

​The Binghamton City School District has implemented several initiatives to address the challenges associated with serving a diverse and economically disadvantaged student population. One initiative is the “SWAG” program, which compensates staff members for leading stress-relief activities. “It could be a teacher or a custodian, anybody who wants to facilitate a unique and fun de-stressing activity,” Thompson explains.

“For example, I just saw one come through on pie making. Every other Tuesday for 10 weeks, participants go to the high school cafeteria, all the supplies will be there, and they make a pie and bring it home. It’s a fairly small investment for us, and we really try to encourage teachers to engage in that.”

Binghamton also encourages affinity groups tailored to specific staff needs, such as support for teachers of color or those caring for elderly parents, creating a connected and inclusive culture.​ “I’m so proud of our faculty. They bend over backwards, giving of themselves, literally, their minds, their ideas, their dollars, their homes, very often,” Thompson stresses.

A Culture Built on Compassion and Excellence

Dr. Thompson shares her personal philosophy, underscoring the importance of a trauma-informed approach when responding to unexpected or challenging behavior from students and adults. “To seek understanding first before you judge is so important,” she conveys.

“That has allowed our faculty to just lean in and give and love our kids. They really, truly love with all that they’re doing, and they provide tough love in terms of holding high expectations. It ends in ways that are really difficult to measure.”  In line with this, the district develops its own report cards for each building, reflecting everything from enrollment and graduation rates to student life and community programs.

As a constantly evolving district currently representing 52 countries, Binghamton City Schools is proud of its diversity. An ongoing commitment to student success is reflected in the district’s innovative programs and strong teacher-to-student relationships.

Dr. Thompson concludes, “I’m truly proud of all the work that we do. Our academics continue to grow. But what we really offer, we could put up against any high performing district in New York State.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: Binghamton City School District

What: A diverse and innovative district, committed to students and community

Where: Binghamton, NY

Website: www.binghamtonschools.org