Horace Mann School in The Bronx Shuts Down for Two Weeks After Staff Members Test Positive for COVID-19

Horace Mann School, one of New York City’s most prestigious college prep schools which is located in the Fieldston area of The Bronx, has shut down for two weeks due to positive COVID-19 cases among the staff.

School instruction has been shifted online until October 19 when classes for grades 6 to 12 is scheduled to resume in person as students self quarantine at home.

One employee was diagnosed with COVID-19 over the weekend and an additional three were reported on Monday.

In an email sent to parents on Monday night by school head Thomas Kelly, he said, “It is clear these additional cases of positive COVID-19 do have overlap with students and employees at a level that makes me uncomfortable moving forward with in-person instruction for our middle and upper divisions.”

According to the Riverdale Press, Kelly so stated:

“We may need to alternate between in-person and remote learning throughout the year because of recommendations and guidance from our partnering agencies, and stay-at-home orders from the governor,” Kelly said at the time. “The level of infection, the spread of the virus, and response to the disease in our community will be at the forefront of our decision as we move to open our school.”

Classes at Horace Mann have been in session for less than a month before they closed due to COVID-19.