About Us
An introduction to the Karafin School created by past and present students of the writing classes of 2002, 2006, and 2009.
History
The Karafin School was founded in 1958 by Mrs. Geraldine Karafin who, along with her husband, became one of its first directors. In its earliest years the school grew rapidly and moved several times. By 1970 the school employed thirty five specialists including Dr. John Greenfieldt who joined the school in its first year and rose to become its Associate Director. In 1975 he bought the school and decided to keep the original name which had become widely known. Dr. Bart Donow began working at the school in 1985. He became Associate Director in 1997 and Director in 2002 when Dr. Greenfieldt retired. He and Mrs. Donow are now the owners of the school. In its fifty years of existence the Karafin School has become, in the words of Dr. Greenfieldt, “a proven success.”
Philosophy
The philosophy of the Karafin School is based on the work of Dr. William Glasser who states that every student can succeed and that the greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure. In order to remove the fear of failure the Karafin School does not assign failing grades. Instead, students earn a grade of incomplete which gives them the opportunity to make up the work and then earn a passing grade. In keeping with Dr. Glasser’s philosophy students are expected to take responsibility for themselves and their behavior and the staff acknowledges the importance of seeing behavior in the context of everything that may be happening in a student’s life.
Education at the Karafin School is individualized to accommodate the needs and the learning styles of each student. The small class size and individual attention allows instruction to be tailored to each student’s IEP goals and also allows for strongly supportive teacher student relationships which also foster learning.
History
The Karafin School was founded in 1958 by Mrs. Geraldine Karafin who, along with her husband, became one of its first directors. In its earliest years the school grew rapidly and moved several times. By 1970 the school employed thirty five specialists including Dr. John Greenfieldt who joined the school in its first year and rose to become its Associate Director. In 1975 he bought the school and decided to keep the original name which had become widely known. Dr. Bart Donow began working at the school in 1985. He became Associate Director in 1997 and Director in 2002 when Dr. Greenfieldt retired. He and Mrs. Donow are now the owners of the school. In its fifty years of existence the Karafin School has become, in the words of Dr. Greenfieldt, “a proven success.”
Philosophy
The philosophy of the Karafin School is based on the work of Dr. William Glasser who states that every student can succeed and that the greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure. In order to remove the fear of failure the Karafin School does not assign failing grades. Instead, students earn a grade of incomplete which gives them the opportunity to make up the work and then earn a passing grade. In keeping with Dr. Glasser’s philosophy students are expected to take responsibility for themselves and their behavior and the staff acknowledges the importance of seeing behavior in the context of everything that may be happening in a student’s life.
Education at the Karafin School is individualized to accommodate the needs and the learning styles of each student. The small class size and individual attention allows instruction to be tailored to each student’s IEP goals and also allows for strongly supportive teacher student relationships which also foster learning.
The Karafin School | 40-1 Radio Circle/ P.O. Box 277 | Mount Kisco, NY 10549
Phone (914) 666-9211 Fax (914) 666-9868
Phone (914) 666-9211 Fax (914) 666-9868
