Eastchester Earns "Best School" Badges from U.S. News and World Report

The Eagles are soaring, and educational watchdogs across the nation are taking notice.
 
On Thursday morning, U.S. News and World Report released its 2025 school rankings, awarding four Eastchester schools “Best School” badges for their ranking within New York State, an acknowledgment of the work done in the district and a cause for celebration among students and staff alike. 
 
By placing comfortably among the top 40% of schools in New York, Eastchester Middle and High Schools, along with Greenvale and Anne Hutchinson all earned “Best School” designations this year. As a school serving only K-1 students, Waverly was not included in the organization's rankings.
 
The badges are a testament not only to the work being done in the classroom, but also to the strong sense of community within the walls of the school, said EMS Principal Madelin LoBue, who noted that the selection spoke to the transformative work that has been going on in the building for the last several years.
 
“I was taken aback, I was thrilled, I was at a loss for words and I was very emotional about all of the hard work we have done here over the years,” said LoBue. “I think this is a testament to the collaborative work of the staff, the sense of caring and accountability and our steps to creating a positive learning environment.”
 
U.S. News and World Report rankings are compiled from school data on standardized test scores and socioeconomic factors, and while there have certainly been recent strides made in testing, LoBue said that much of her students’ academic success stems from the importance placed on the strengthening of the EMS community.
 
“We have been building a culture of caring, because if you show that you care for the students and are concerned about their well-being, it helps us to prepare the students emotionally and behaviorally for their next steps,” said LoBue. “Because of the dedication of our faculty and staff, the students really get the sense that we are all part of the EMS family.”
 
LoBue also credited district administration and members of the Board of Education for their crucial role in helping Eastchester Middle School to reach new heights. 
 
“We would not have been able to do this without help from the Eastchester community and all of our parents, as well as the unwavering support we have received from [EUFSD Superintendent] Dr. Ronald D. Valenti and the Board of Education,” said LoBue. “They have done so much for us, and I think that is reflected in this acknowledgement.”
 
Like LoBue, Greenvale Principal Joanna Sanese credited her school’s performance in the rankings to the work being done by faculty members, students and the school's supportive community. 
 
“It’s always nice to be recognized for the hard work of the students,” said Sanese. “And I can’t say enough about the dedication of our staff.”