Elsmere Elementary School - Delmar, NY

Elsmere Elementary School is one of five elementary schools in the highly-regarded Bethlehem Central School District. Nestled on the main street of Delmar -- a bustling suburb of Albany, New York -- Elsmere has been a “place to love and grow” for neighborhood children, families and staff for more than 85 years. It’s that neighborhood, situated less than five miles from the State Capitol, which provides the heart and soul of the school by sharing Elsmere’s mission of creating lifelong learners.

Parents, grandparents, local business owners, and community leaders play an important supporting role in educating the students at Elsmere. Committed to the high academic standards that have made Elsmere a top performing school on state assessments, these individuals visit our classrooms, sharing valuable insights with our students and demonstrating how lessons in the classroom are applied to everyday life. Students talk to bankers, pet shop owners, contractors, doctors, florists and restaurant owners and walk to neighboring businesses for a closer look at their community.

These neighborhood assets reflect Elsmere’s theme of PRIDE: Personal Best, Respect, and Responsibility, Integrity, Determination and Enthusiasm. Elsmere students also demonstrate pride regularly by helping others. The school’s Buddy Program pairs younger and older students for year-long learning activities.

Learning from one another extends to the district’s two intensive skills special education classes located at Elsmere. Students in these classrooms have profound disabilities requiring highly specialized instruction. These students are an integral part of the school community. With their participation in school activities and responsibilities and through reverse-mainstreaming, Elsmere is home to an even fuller, more meaningful learning exchange for all students.