Each September, Briarcliff High School welcomes ninth graders from Briarcliff Middle School, as well as from Pocantico Hills Central School District, known as POCO.
POCO serves students from pre-k through eighth grade. Each year, towards the end of January, Pocantico eighth graders are required to select one of three high schools to attend. Briarcliff High School is one of those three.
We spoke with several former POCO students to learn more about why they chose to attend Briarcliff, how that decision shaped who they are today and what makes the school special.
When sophomore Sofia Cruz was in eighth grade, she spent a good amount of time looking into her options for high school.
“I wanted to keep an open mind, so I looked at all of the schools,” she said. Briarcliff was the best education-wise, but also had a strong sports program. When I came to visit, I liked the atmosphere. Everyone was super-nice.”
Sofia is involved in cross country and track and Girl Up Club at Briarcliff. She is also sophomore class co-president.
“I love being in the Girl Up club, it’s really fun and rewarding,” she said. “We donate feminine hygiene products to homeless shelters and to an organization called “My Sister’s Place,” and we hold drives. It’s nice to help make a difference in the world.”
Sofia has advice for her sister, who is currently an eighth grader in POCO.
“I would tell her to try to keep an open mind to see all the options that the school has to offer,” she said. “I am happy with my decision. I really like it here and I feel like there are more opportunities at Briarcliff.
Junior Damien White made his decision to come to Briarcliff after watching a presentation about the school.
“Briarcliff seemed like a better fit for me because of all the opportunities that school has to offer,” he said.
A decorated sprinter on the cross country and track team, Damien has garnered many awards and even holds a few school records.
“The coaches on the team have been very helpful,” he said. “I’m ranked in the state and just trying to do my best and bring more awards to Briarcliff,” he said.
Balancing academics with being a star athlete is doable in a place like Briarcliff High School.
“The teachers are very understanding and accommodating, which is important when you are a student-athlete,” he said. “I use both the Writing Lab and Math Lab for extra help, when I need it.”
Making friends has been easy for Damien.
“I have made lots of friends, for example, when I played football in ninth grade. Participating in sports plays a huge role in meeting people,” he said. “The school environment was also a big part in helping me make friends.”
“I would recommend going to Briarcliff to anyone because for me, personally, it was very easy to feel accepted,” he said. “It feels like family here. It doesn’t matter who you are or your religious views. Sometimes people don’t feel like they are valued or accepted. Teachers and students at Briarcliff make you feel like you are special, and this is very important. In my time at the school, I never once heard anyone complain of bullying because everyone is friends with each other. The juniors are a tight-knit group – we are all close. It’s like that in all the grades.”
Senior Kevin Gong agrees.
“I think a small, tight-knit school, such as Briarcliff, is better,” he said. “I have my close friends, but the school is not at all cliquey; we are all part of the senior grade. And because the school is small, you get more opportunities, like starting your own club.”
Kevin started the Psychology Club at the school. The club aims to destigmatize mental illness and raise money for various charities through fundraisers. He is also involved with Science Research and plays on the Varsity Tennis team.
“I originally wasn’t sure if I wanted to do tennis, but having friends on the team encouraged me. We also have great coaches,” he said.
Kevin decided to attend Briarcliff because, according to him, the majority of the students at POCO selected Briarcliff. He also chose Briarcliff because of his older brother.
“My brother graduated from Briarcliff in 2021, and he had a really great experience,” he said. “He also participated in the Science Research program and he now studies physics at Cornell University. He told me all about the different programs and the clubs, and it seems like there was a really good environment at the school.
“There are so many academic opportunities at Briarcliff that the other schools lack, and I also love the events and the school spirit. It was a great choice for me,” he said.
