NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
ART EDUCATION PROGRAM
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
UPDATED: SPRING 2008
The following document describes New York City secondary schools suitable for
Student Teaching and Observation experiences. This is a newly updated list of
schools that includes those that students have had experiences with in the past as
well as new schools that have a school mission statement related to the philosophy of
the Art Education program.
This document is a work in progress.
*
Schools with a star
next to them are the ones that have updated contact information
and/or have expressed interest in working with NYU students in the past. Schools
without the star are suggestions based on public information regarding distinct school
philosophies, visual arts departments, or media programs. Contact the latter schools
at your own discretion as they have not been contacted or verified by the Art
Education program.
Student teachers should contact cooperating teachers independently to set up a time to meet
and visit the school, being mindful of the teachers’ time and busy schedule. Students are
welcome to approach schools or teachers that are not included on the list and, as with all
schools, should do extensive research to make sure that the fit is right.
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* Aaron School (K-5 / private, sp. needs)
309 East 45th St. (btwn 1st & 2nd Aves)
New York, NY
212.867.9594 x. 131
http://www.aaronschool.org
According to their website:
ACADEMICS:
Aaron School serves children who have been identified with potential learning challenges including language
delay, learning disabilities, sensory integration issues and attention deficits. The school provides an enriched
educational environment for children through fifth grade who are not ready for mainstream education. Aaron
School is committed to helping students achieve their full potential in preparation for a successful return to the
mainstream educational environment.
ART:
Visual Art teacher: Stacey Price (2003 NYU Graduate)
NYU Student Comments
The school’s approach is multi-sensory and multi-disciplinary. Children are grouped by developmental level in
small classes. Behavior management plays a large role in classes. Art classes are highly structured and
emphasize development of basic concepts (line, pattern, shape, and color) and skills (cutting, using a straight
edge, brush techniques, etc.) within a traditional modern art curriculum. If you like to work with highly functional
children with special needs, it is a good place to student teach. The art teacher also teaches the technology
(computer) classes, so there’s opportunity to use PC-based media with the students. However, I found there
was a lack of guidance regarding the developmental issues that the students face and I had to do my own
outside research.” From Fall 2007
LAST UPDATED: MAY 2008
*Allen Stevenson School (K-9 / private)
132 E. 78th St. (Lexington Avenue)
New York, NY
212.288.6710
www.allen-stevenson.org
According to their website:
DEMOGRAPHICS: Private, All Boys
ACADEMICS: Since its founding in 1883, Allen-Stevenson has been dedicated to providing the very best
elementary education for boys growing up in New York City. Now we are extraordinarily fortunate to have
amazing facilities that serve the educational process well. However, our most important resources are human
ones: the remarkable faculty and staff who work tirelessly with Allen-Stevenson boys and their families. This
personal relationship is the foundation of the A-S community, and it matters most in providing an excellent
educational experience.
ART:
Visual Art Teachers: Julia Kunin and Rob McCallum (NYU adjunct faculty)
NYU STUDENT COMMENTS:
“A mix of traditional, contemporary, and visual culture based art. Great lunch and a chance to work with Rob!” –
Fall 2006
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
*Berkeley Carroll School (K-12 / private)
181 Lincoln Place
Brooklyn, NY
718.789.6060
www.berkeleycarroll.org
According to their website:
DEMOGRAPHICS:
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At Berkeley Carroll, diversity encompasses differences in gender, race, ethnic and religious heritage, socioeconomic background, family structure, sexual orientation, and learning style.
ACADEMICS:
Berkeley Carroll is an independent, college preparatory day school providing coeducational programs for
children in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Officially chartered by New York state in 1886, Berkeley Carroll is
one of the oldest independent schools in New York City.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Bob Weiss
NYU STUDENT COMMENTS:
“DBAE, Studio-based, students work independently on a variety of media: ceramics, photography, digital media
and fine arts. It is a very traditional program but there is a lot to observe.” –FALL 2006
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
* Brooklyn Children’s School / P.S. 372 (Pre-K-5)
512 Carroll Street BROOKLYN, NY 11215
Phone: (718) 624-5271 | Fax: (718) 522-1879 Principal: Arthur Mattia
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 5
Class size: 25
Enrollment: 335
Ethnicity %: 59 W 13 B 17 H 12 A
Attendance: 96%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Classes mix special education and general education students
Downside: School is housed somewhat awkwardly in two buildings.
The Children's School is a pioneer in "inclusion" -- the practice of integrating disabled children in the same
classrooms as pupils in general education. It has also been labeled as an empowerment school. It has become
one of the most popular schools in Brooklyn, not only for children with special needs but also for those with
strong academic and social skills. The school has a family feel, and parents are welcome throughout the day.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Susan Kransten
NYU STUDENT COMMENTS:
“Projects have lots of color and are user friendly, very painting heavy. A supportive atmosphere, good teaching
though different from the NYU philosophy.” –FALL 2006
“There is not a certain philosophy, though it is an inclusion school so kindness is a large part of the classroom
experience. The teacher is wonderful in making each project rich. She brings meaning to her artwork. Great if
you are interested in working with children with developmental issues.“ –FALL 2006
LAST UPDATED FALL 2006
Community Action School / M.S. 258 (6-8)
154 W. 93rd St., New York, NY
Phone: (212) 678-5888 | Fax: (212) 961-1613 Principal: Mr. John Curry
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: 6 to 8
Enrollment: 227
Ethnicity %: 4 W 54 B 42 H 2 A
Attendance: 95%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Small school, high expectations, nurturing atmosphere
Downside: Many students need a lot of catch-up in academics, so scores are still too low
Community Action was started in 1994 by PS 166 parents, who invited Curry to write a proposal for a middle
school to serve all kids. As district gifted programs siphoned off higher achievers, the school found it necessary
to develop a culture to work with kids who need extra help, according to Curry. As the school's good reputation
spreads, better-achieving students have been applying, but catch-up academics are still stressed.
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ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Vicki Alter
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
Dalton School (K-12 / private)
108 E. 89th St.
New York, NY
212.423.5200
www.dalton.org
According to their website:
DEMOGRAPHICS:
ACADEMICS: Dalton is recognized for its rigorous, innovative educational curriculum and offers its 1,300
students a breadth of stimulating and challenging programs taught by our dedicated faculty. Our high academic
standards are complemented by an exemplary performing and fine arts curriculum – taught by faculty who are
professionals in their fields – and a full range of athletic teams and extra-curricular activities.
ART: The dance, drama, music, and visual arts departments express the soul of the Dalton program. With the
new Performing Arts Center, the recently renovated Martin Theater, and extensive dance, visual, and media arts
studios, the school offers its students access to outstanding facilities. However, the true strength of the arts
program comes from the faculty - professionals in their fields. These teachers guide and educate the students
with the utmost dedication and enthusiasm, always sharing the personal passions that brought them to careers
in the arts.
Visual Art Teachers: Rob Meredith and Linda Hanauer
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
*Earth School / P.S. 364 (K-6)
600 East 6th Street NEW YORK, NY 10009
Phone: (212) 477-1735 | Fax: (212) 477-2396 Principal: Ms. Michelle Harring
http://www.theearthschool.org/
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 6
Class size: 18-27
Enrollment: 316
Ethnicity %: 39 W 18 B 35 H 10 A
Attendance: 95%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Strong director, talented staff dedicated to progressive education.
Downside: Not the place for parents looking for traditional structure.
The Earth School is an egalitarian place, where children call teachers by their first names and teachers make
decisions together with the director. Parent volunteers help set up art projects, work in the office, lead tours, and
escort their children to class. Founded in 1991, the school has flourished under the leadership of director
Michelle Harring, who has led the school since the late 1990s. The school also benefits from an unusually
talented and dedicated staff. The student body is diverse and includes the children of artists and professionals,
as well as working-class people and families receiving public assistance.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Patrice Lorenz patrilore@aol.com
NYU STUDENT COMMENTS:
“Experiments with different media. Some contemporary art and art from non-western cultures. She is very
supportive, and allows for your participation.”
“The school has a positive, nurturing environment, lots of connections between different areas of the
curriculum/with different teachers. Have a ‘Town Meeting’ every Thursday morning which was wonderful to
attend. The art teacher also a very experienced teacher, and admits to wanting to move on to another arena of
work. She recently apologized for setting a poor example of teaching and says she believes her “screaming
banshee” (her words) manner will only work on the students for so long before they start to tune it out. She is
struck by NYU students’ tendency to start planning with concepts instead of materials – but she has been mostly
supportive and of my project ideas. Would you recommend this school? Not so much. I love the school and the
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students and the neighborhood, but I was frequently frustrated and made to feel uncomfortable in this
environment (such as when she would interrupt me in the middle of introducing a lesson and advise a change in
plan, or when she would yell over me to rein the class in). It made me miss my time at the Lab School,
something I would not have anticipated when I was there. Interestingly enough, Patrice and Ellen are good
friends.” Nora Zale, S08
LAST UPDATED: SPRING 08
Ethical Culture Fieldston School (K-6 / private)
33 Central Park W. (btwn 63rd & 64th)
Brooklyn, NY
212.712.6220
www.ecfs.org
According to their website:
DEMOGRAPHICS:
ACADEMICS: The ideal of the school is to develop individuals who will be competent to change their
environment to greater conformity with moral ideals." Felix Adler, Philosopher, humanist, and founder of the
Ethical Culture Fieldston School.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Eric Botnick
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
The Gateway School (K5 / private)
236 Second Avenue
New York, NY, 10003-0100
(212) 777-5966
www.gatewayschool.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
63 students, co-ed, 17 teachers
ACADEMICS (from their web site):
The Gateway School of New York is an ungraded elementary school dedicated to helping children with learning
disabilities develop the academic skills, learning strategies, social competence and self-confidence necessary to
succeed. Our students, ages 5-12, learn in a nurturing educational environment, which empowers them to
overcome early developmental hurdles, and allows their talents to flourish. At Gateway we seek to provide an
optimal learning environment for children who have great potential but who struggle with the significant
difference between their strong abilities and their confounding difficulties in some aspects of life and learning.
Visual Art Teacher: Leat Klingman (ext.322)
LAST UPDATED: JUNE 2008
Hunter College Elementary (K-6)
71 E. 94th St. & Park Ave.
New York, NY
Phone: (212) 860-1292 | Fax: (212) 289-2209 Principal: Randall Collins
http://hces.hunter.cuny.edu./home/firefoxindex.html
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: K to 6
Class size: 24
Enrollment: 400
Ethnicity %: 60 W 25 B 6 H 9 A
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Superior academics for very bright children
Downside: Uneven quality of teaching
Hunter College Elementary School is a laboratory school for the study of "intellectually gifted" children. Nearly
1,100 children apply for 48 spots in kindergarten each year. Of those, 250 score above the cutoff point to be
considered for admission--which ranges from the 95th percentile to the 98th percentile on the IQ test, depending
on the year
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ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Anne Rosenthal
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
Institute for Collaborative Education (6-8)
345 E. 15th St. New York, NY
Phone: (212) 475-7972 | Fax: (212) 475-0459 Principal: Mr. John Pettinato
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: 6 to 12
Class size: 18-22
Enrollment: 414
Ethnicity %: 45 W 25 B 24 H 8 A
Attendance: 91%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Individual attention in a laid-back setting.
Downside: Recent influx of NCLB transfers has caused crowding.
ICE is a member of the Coalition of Essential Schools, a national network of schools organized by Brown
University's Theodore Sizer, who believes that small schools that concentrate on teaching a few subjects well
are more effective than large schools that attempt to teach a wide array of subjects. As part of a consortium of
progressive high schools, ICE was given a temporary waiver exempting it from the chancellor's uniform
curriculum.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Meryl Meisler
NYU Student Comments:
“School philosophy is progressive, student centered. I would recommend this school. Meryl is so flexible and
lets you bring in lots of ideas. Kids are great too.” Vicky Jordan, F07
LAST UPDATED: SPRING 08
*I.S. 247 Dual Language Middle School
32 West 92 Street NEW YORK, NY 10025
Phone: (212) 678-2977 | Fax: (212) 579-2407 Principal: Ms. Claudia Aguirre
According to Insideschools.org:
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: 6 to 8
Class size: 20-25
Enrollment: 170
Attendance: 95%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Promising school where classes are taught in both English and Spanish.
Downside: Low test scores; no music class or library.
The Dual Language Middle School is designed to teach children to speak and write fluently in both English and
Spanish. Located on the third floor of PS 84 on the Upper West Side, Dual Language Middle School is basking
in a period of renewal. The school is clean, classrooms are productive, and staff and students seem happy to be
there. Under the competent management of Claudia Aguirre, who took the helm in 2003 after teaching at the
school for a decade, the school is moving away from what had been a difficult few years, during which MS 247,
overseen by a series of administrations, suffered from poor leadership and rapid teacher turnover.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Megan Peter
NYU STUDENT COMMENTS:
“Megan is a really supportive teacher with a lot of administrative support for the arts. She is mostly DBAE, but
open to trying new things.”
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
I.S. 250 West Side Collaborative
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735 West End Ave NEW YORK, NY 10025
Phone: (212) 866-6313 | Fax: (212) 678-5295 Principal: Ms. Jeanne Rotunda
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: 6 to 8
Class size: Varies
Enrollment: 201
Ethnicity %: 9 W 30 B 57 H 6 A
Attendance: 93%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Innovative curriculum, caring community.
Downside: Cramped quarters on top floor of elementary school.
West Side Collaborative combines innovative programming, an interdisciplinary curriculum, and a variety of
creative activities in a safe, nurturing environment. This is a tall order for a small middle school housed at the
top of an Upper West Side elementary school. A staff of 15 full-time and three part-time faculty members is led
by Principal Jeanne Rotunda, a passionate educator who is constantly honing the curriculum.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher:
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
Little Red School House (K-8 / private)
196 Bleeker St. (6th Ave.)
212.477.5316
www.lrei.org
According to their website:
ACADEMICS:
The Little Red School House was founded in 1921 as a joint public —private educational experiment designed
to test the notion that the principles of progressive education, advocated since the turn of the century by John
Dewey — and tried out mainly in small, private school settings — could be applied successfully in the crowded,
ethnically diverse, public schools of the nation’s largest city. Its guiding spirit was educator, psychologist and
journalist Elisabeth Irwin.
ART: The Arts lie at the heart of the curriculum at LREI. Throughout the three divisions, students have
experiences with studio arts, music, drama, movement, dance, wood working, photography, and the digital
media arts. The Arts program is closely integrated with the Core Social Studies curriculum, encouraging each
student to develop a personal vocabulary of expression, while building confidence as students explore a wide
range of materials and techniques.
Visual Art Teachers: Ann Schaumburger (Elementary), Melissa Rubin (Middle)
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
Manhattan Day School (1-8 / private)
W. 75th St.
New York, NY
212.376.6800/6384 x353
www.mdsweb.org
According to their website:
ACADEMICS:
Here academic rigor is met and matched by all that is pedagogically creative and dynamic. Innovative
approaches to secular and Judaic studies coexist harmoniously Growth is wed to commitment, with teachers,
children, and parents empowering each other to succeed. Bolstered by an atmosphere of loving communal
support, individualized academic attention thrives.
ART: Covered by paintings, drawings, sculpture, and writing, they speak of innocence and experience, of
exuberance and compassion. The walls tell stories of the self and recite epics of Jewish history. They
reverberate with the vision and voices of MDS students, who, from their earliest years here, are encouraged to
express themselves in every way they can.
Visual Art Teacher: Janis Movson
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
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M.S. 131 Dr. Sun Yat Sen School
100 Hester St. New York, NY
Phone: (212) 219-1204 | Fax: (212) 925-6386 Principal: Ms. Jane Lehrach
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: 6 to 8
Class size: 30
Enrollment: 875
Ethnicity %: 1 W 6 B 12 H 83 A
Attendance: 96%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: New immigrants from China learn English by writing poetry.
Downside: A confusing layout and noisy, raucous class changes.
A large middle school that serves many new immigrants from China, MS 131 has an imaginative approach to
teaching English as a Second Language -- through poetry. Students who may be too inhibited to speak in class
write their ideas on paper as poetry -- under the tutelage of published poets. In this way, the students gain
fluency in English without becoming bogged down with concerns about grammar and spelling -- at least at first.
"Poetry gives learners of a new language the opportunity to experiment with English without worrying about the
conventions of the language," said former principal Alice Young (who in the spring of 2003 became an
instructional supervisor with oversight over MS 131 among other schools.)
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Allison Plump
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
M.S. 167 Robert Wagner School (6-8)
220 E. 76th St., New York, NY
Phone: (212) 535-8610 | Fax: (212) 472-9385 Principal: Ms. Jennifer Rehn
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: 6 to 8
Class size: 26-34
Enrollment: 1310
Ethnicity %: 34 W 15 B 25 H 27 A
Attendance: 97%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Extensive music and sports programs.
Downside: Wagner's size may overwhelm some students.
With nearly 1,400 pupils, Wagner is the largest and most traditional middle school in District 2. The advantage of
the size is the facilities and course offerings not available at a smaller school. The potential downside is the lack
of individual attention for children - -and their parents. The administration strives to make the most of the
school's many resources while minimizing the chance that students will get lost in the crowd. Students in the
"academic" track, as the general education classes are known, benefit from a smaller class size, with 26 or 27
students. (The SP classes have as many as 34 students.)
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Laura Hussey
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
M.S. 224 / Manhattan East School for Arts and Academics
410 East 100th Street
New York, NY
212.860.6047
http://manhattaneastschool.org/
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: 6 to 8
Class size: 30
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Enrollment: 271
Ethnicity %: 25 W 36 B 34 H 7 A
Attendance: 95%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: An outstanding arts program and solid academics draw bright children from across the city.
Downside: Limited laboratory facilities and heavy emphasis on preparation for the Earth Science Regents make
for some lackluster science classes.
You climb five flights of stairs. Your heart still pounding, you're greeted by a sign that says: "Congratulations!
You've made it to the top!" Everyone at Manhattan East, a minischool on the top floor of a junior high school
built in 1923, is proud of the place and it shows. There's a joyful spirit that's shared by parents, teachers, and
students. The building is immaculate, classrooms -- all lined up along one corridor -- are large and cheery and
children's work is displayed throughout.
Consistently one of the top-ranked middle schools in the city, Manhattan East attracts students from all five
boroughs to its creative art, drama, dance, and music programs and its accelerated academic classes. Teachers
are knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects, the lessons are lively, and the children are spirited and
engaged.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: John Tasevoli
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
* Nightingale-Bamford School (Private)
20 E. 92nd Street, New York, NY
212 289 5020 X6547
http://www.nightingale.org
According to their website:
DEMOGRAPHICS:
All girls
ACADEMICS:
High school at Nightingale is the beginning, not the end, of an engaged and productive life. It is a place to take
risks, to try out new ways of thinking, to test your intellectual limits, and to begin to find your unique voice.
Nightingale girls find support for these explorations not only from their teachers but also from their classmates in
this extraordinarily cohesive community. The challenging curriculum, including a wide range of electives and
Advanced Placement courses; unparalleled cultural resources of New York City; and trips as far away as
London all let girls discover their place in the world.
ART: The Upper School art program encourages students to develop specific skills while also cultivating
personally significant subject matter. From one semester to the next, students may concentrate in a particular
medium or choose from a variety of courses including Painting, Photography, Ceramics, Sculpture and Video.
Class X takes a semester course in Art History and learns to recognize and interpret important works of art from
different historical periods. An Art History course is also offered to Classes XI and XII. Offers studio, photo and
video.
Visual Art Head of Department: Tony Gray
LAST UPDATED: December 2006
* P.S. 2 Meyer London School
122 Henry Street NEW YORK, NY 10002
Phone: (212) 964-0350
DEMOGRAPHICS:
From www.insideschools.org
Grade levels: PK to 5
Class size: 20-25
Enrollment: 729
Ethnicity %: 1W / 6B / 10H / 84A
ACADEMICS:
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PS 2 seems to be a place where the American Dream begins. The school serves increasing numbers of children
whose families come from rural villages in China and speak no English. Principal Brett Gustafson takes Chinese
language classes so he can better communicate with the school community. By second grade, however, most
children speak fluent English. Part of the secret of the school's success: the hands-on science classes in which
children learn to talk about things such as snails and worms.
Art Teacher: Ms. Chen
NYU Student Comments:
“The school is made up of mostly immigrant children or first-generation children of immigrants, so there is a
major focus on Literacy and English learning. There is a focus on offering international themes within every
subject to keep the students’ and parents’ interest. The art program is taught by a teacher who has no
background in art, so they do a lot of craft-type projects; the teacher is overwhelmed with the amount of
students per classroom, so she does not do complex projects for fear that things will get out of hand; she is also
working with a very small budget so she does not have many materials. I would NOT recommend this school for
other students! This school treats art as if it is a free period for the kids to color Xeroxes from coloring books;
also this teacher is very negative and complains too much about the situation as opposed to being proactive in
changing it.” From Fall 2007
LAST UPDATED MAY 2008
P.S. 3 Melser Charette School
490 Hudson Street NEW YORK, NY 10014
Phone: (212) 691-1183 | Fax: (212) 675-5306 Principal: Lisa Siegman
http://www.ps3nyc.org/
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 5
Class size: K: 18; 5: 28
Enrollment: 553
Ethnicity %: 52 W 23 B 20 H 8 A
Attendance: 95%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Creativity is encouraged and flourishes.
Downside: Too much tumult in the halls. PS 3 was founded in 1971 by parents who wanted an alternative to
what was then the very traditional education offered by PS 41, a Greenwich Village school nearby. Since its
beginning, PS 3 has attracted an eclectic group of artists, bohemians, and counter-cultural parents from as far
away as Brooklyn. It's welcoming to nontraditional families, particularly to gay and lesbian parents. PS 3 is also
a haven for some very capable teachers who are put off by what they see as a cookie-cutter approach to
education, who want to put their own imprint and personality into their classes. Classes at PS 3 mix different
ages and abilities, and children generally stay with the same teacher for 2 years. Every classroom looks
different, and the personalities of both the teacher and the children are apparent in how the rooms are
decorated. Everyone is on a first-name basis. Parents bring children right to the classroom and often hang out to
talk with teachers or other parents in the parents' lounge.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Carole Randall
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 6 (1-5)
43 Snyder Ave BROOKLYN, NY 11226
Phone: (718) 856-6560 | Fax: (718) 856-7493 Principal: Ellen Carlisle
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: K to 5
Class size: K-2, 25; 5, 32
Enrollment: 644
Ethnicity %: 1 W 89 B 10 H 1 A
Attendance: 93%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: A state of the art theater, robotics lab, and strong arts.
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Downside: Highly structured classes may not be for every child.
This school -- in a modern air-conditioned building -- has a state-of-the-art theater and a robotics lab that's one
of most advanced in the city. Students learn how to operate sound and light systems in the theater. The arts are
strong, and kids study portrait painting with a renowned artist-in-residence, Leroy Campbell. "We do more than
the average school for performance in the arts," said Principal Norma Adams. PS 6 also has a strong science
program, and some students won the top prizes at the district science fair in a recent year. Hands-on activities
we saw included creating a three dimensional dinosaur and its habitat using mural paper. In one class, children
watched the movie "Dinosaur" and read a New York Times article about the recent discovery of dinosaur
fossils.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Emily Schwartz
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 9 Renaissance School for Music and Art
100 W. 84th Street NEW YORK, NY 10024
Phone: (212) 678-2812 | Fax: (212) 280-6223 Principal: Ms. Diane Brady
http://www.ps9.org/
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 5
Class size: K: 25; 5: 28
Enrollment: 499
Ethnicity %: 53 W 11 B 24 H 14 A
Attendance: 96%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Good teaching & good art; popular gifted program.
Downside: Each program needs a better mix of race and social class
PS 9 is a cheery, well-lit school where children's artwork lines the halls. The building houses the Anderson
School one of most selective programs for elementary school children in the city; the gifted and talented (G&T)
program, for children who score high at least in the 90th percentile on an IQ test; and the "Renaissance"
program, which serves as a neighborhood school for children who live in the zone. In 2005, Anderson with about
443 pupils, became its own school with its own principal.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Melissa Wilson
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 11 William Harris School
320 West 21st Street NEW YORK, NY 10011
Phone: (212) 929-1743 | Fax: (212) 929-7816 Principal: Robert Bender
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 5
Class size: 20-32
Enrollment: 494
Ethnicity %: 28 W 25 B 41 H 9 A
Attendance: 95%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: An indoor swimming pool.
Downside: There is a division between the gifted program and the rest of the school.
PS 11 has a swimming pool, small classes in the lower grades, and a gifted program open to children from
across the district. PS 11, in a rapidly gentrifying area of Chelsea, has children who live in brownstones and
children who live in homeless shelters or housing projects. The gifted and talented classes have a nice racial
mix, unlike many G&T programs that are predominantly white and Asian. PS 11 is one of the few in the District 2
that sometimes has room for children from other neighborhoods, including Brooklyn. The music program is
strong: Kindergartners and first graders learn to play the piano in a program called "Music and the Brain.
Children also play world drums, xylophones, maracas, harmonica, xylophones and guitars. Music appreciation
includes a course called "Bach to Rock."
Page 11 of 23
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ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Fredrica Pollack
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 19 Asher Levy School
185 First Avenue NEW YORK, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 533-5340 | Fax: (212) 673-1477 Principal: Mr. Ivan Kushner
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 6
Class size: K,16-18; 5, 25
Enrollment: 315
Ethnicity %: 8 W 26 B 56 H 12 A
Attendance: 92%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Pleasant school that welcomes out-of-district students.
Downside: Test scores are only average.
Principal Ivan Kushner, who has been on the job for 10 years, gets high marks from his faculty, which he has
pushed toward progressive approaches. He is proud of the school's improving performance and seeks to
increase children's opportunities to write. In physical education, for example, students submit written reports -biographies of sports heroes. The day we visited, we saw some younger students marching around to music
and "freezing." They seemed to love it. In another class, students were learning about discrimination against
people with disabilities.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Dennis Gault
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 20 Anna Silver School
166 Essex Street NEW YORK, NY 10002
Phone: (212) 254-9577 | Fax: (212) 254-3526 Principal: Mr. Felix Gil
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 6
Class size: 20-30
Enrollment: 658
Ethnicity %: 1 W 6 B 59 H 36 A
Attendance: 95%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Strong emphasis on the arts.
Downside: Some teachers need work on their class management skills.
Students read from genuine literature, not textbooks, but the school also places emphasis on phonics. A fulltime staff developer for literacy told us that teachers were trained in the Orton-Gillingham method of reading
instruction, which relies on structured lessons in phonics and encourages children to see, hear, and even touch
letters. Unfortunately, a few teachers were less than adept at keeping their students' attention. We heard one
yelling in her room, and saw another who seemed overwhelmed. But most teachers had their classes under
control. Staff developers were on hand to help teachers hone their skills.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Iris Kusert
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 33 Chelsea School
281 Ninth Avenue NEW YORK, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 244-6426 | Fax: (212) 629-6893 Principal: Linore Lindy
According to insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 5
Page 12 of 23
Printed 3/9/16
Class size: 20
Enrollment: 331
Ethnicity %: 3 W 27 B 56 H 16 A
Attendance: 94%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: New principal works quickly to improve school.
Downside: History of mediocre performance.
Things are in flux at PS 33, recently renamed Chelsea Prep, where principal Linore Lindy arrived in September
2004 with an ambitious plan to revamp the school and put it on par with the sought-after schools in District 2. PS
33 has suffered from a history of mediocre to below-average test scores, misbehavior in the middle school, and
a revolving door of administrators. Lindy is the third principal appointed in a four-year period, and she's not
willing to waste another minute. "I want things to change fast," she told us during our visit.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Michelle Kurlan
NYU STUDENT COMMENTS:
“On the surface, it seems student centered, academically rigorous, and very supportive of the arts. Artwork is
displayed throughout the school. However the principal’s agenda is to make this school more appealing to
middle class parents. Michelle has a traditional methodology for teaching art. She has great systems and faces
many of the battles that NYU public school teachers face administratively.”
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 34 Franklin Delano Roosevelt School
730 East 12th Street NEW YORK, NY 10009
Phone: (212) 228-4433 | Fax: (212) 353-1973 Principal: Mrs. Joyce Stallings-Harte
http://schools.nycenet.edu/Region9/ps34/
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 8
Class size: 20-30
Enrollment: 398
Ethnicity %: 2 W 18 B 76 H 7 A
Attendance: 92%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Test scores slowly improving.
Downside: Not many non-academic activities
Our visit to PS 34 began with a springtime assembly filled with the sounds of children singing and playing
recorders. So many families attended the event that the audience spilled out from the auditorium into the
hallway beyond. Parents and relatives beamed, and the children were excited about their performance. The
scene was in part the product of an Annenberg Foundation grant that has enabled PS 34 to put a fulltime music
teacher on staff and to prompt plans to integrate music into the general curriculum.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Jackie Wittman
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 40 Augustus St. Gaudens School
319 East 19 Street NEW YORK, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 475-5500 | Fax: (212) 533-5388 Principal: Ms. Susan Felder
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 5
Class size: K: 18; 4: 28
Enrollment: 552
Ethnicity %: 57 W 9 B 17 H 18 A
Attendance: 94%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Warm school allows teacher innovation; good ethnic balance.
Downside: A few parents prefer a more traditional approach, particularly in math.
Page 13 of 23
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Small class size, a welcoming attitude toward parents, and a young and energetic staff make PS 40 both lively
and manageable. Parents give Principal Susan Felder high marks for her willingness to meet with them and for
spending enough time in the classrooms that she gets to know each child. Teachers speak to children in a quiet,
respectful way, and the children respond in kind. It's a school in which both the kids and the grown-ups seem
happy to be there. "It's a cohesive staff," said Felder. "The teachers go to Broadway shows together, have
dinner together, go away on weekends together." Teachers at PS 40 have a passion for teaching writing, which
shows in the quality of children's work.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Ben Dratel
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
*P.S. 41 Greenwich Village School
116 West 11 Street NEW YORK, NY 10011
Phone: (212) 675-2756 | Fax: (212) 924-0910 Principal: Kelly Shannon
http://www.ps41pta.org/
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 5
Class size: K: 21; 5: 28
Enrollment: 742
Ethnicity %: 71 W 6 B 14 H 11 A
Attendance: 96%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: School is in vanguard of "inclusion" approach to special education.
Downside: Spelling and grammar instruction could be stronger, some parents say.
In the heart of Greenwich Village, PS 41 attracts the children of professors from New York University and artists
from the West Village. While solidly in the progressive camp for academics, the school, housed in a pleasant,
well-lit school building with a large playground, is a bit more traditional in conduct than its Greenwich Village
neighbor, PS 3. Parents who live in the PS 41 zone may choose either school.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Deborah Lewis
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 75 Emily Dickinson School
735 West End Ave. NEW YORK, NY 10025
Phone: (212) 866-5400 | Fax: (212) 678-2878 Principal: Mr. Robert K. O'Brien
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: K to 5
Class size: K: 22; 5: 29
Enrollment: 831
Ethnicity %: 17 W 30 B 47 H 8 A
Attendance: 95%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Strong dual-language program with small class sizes.
Downside: Dark, gloomy building
Once a fairly traditional school, PS 75 has evolved in recent years to adopt new teaching methods. The school
has introduced the Teachers College Readers and Writers Workshop, which encourages children to write from
their own experiences, constantly revising and editing their drafts. Each classroom has its own library, and
children have plenty of access to fun-to-read picture books and children's literature. Kids still practice how to
form letters on lined paper in workbooks here--not the free-form writing on unlined paper popular at some
progressive schools--and there's plenty of emphasis on phonics, spelling, and grammar. Kids learn cursive in
3rd grade.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Robin Glazer
Page 14 of 23
Printed 3/9/16
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 64 Robert E. Simon
600 East 6th Street NEW YORK, NY 10009
Phone: (212) 673-6510 | Fax: (212) 477-2369 Principal: Ms. Sandra Litrico
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 6
Class size: 18-25
Enrollment: 288
Ethnicity %: 4 W 23 B 71 H 4 A
Attendance: 92%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Small school with solid instruction.
Downside: Lackluster parent involvement.
A small school with solid, dedicated teachers, PS 64 is steadily changing its reputation as a troubled school. In
the 1990s, PS 64 languished seven years on the state's list of failing schools. Then, in 1998, principal Sandra
Litrico arrived, overhauled the staff and introduced a new curriculum. The school left the failing schools list in
2000, and today pleasant classrooms complement strong instruction and rising student achievement.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Rachel Swersey
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 77 Lower Lab School
1700 Third Ave. NEW YORK, NY 10128
Phone: (212) 427-2798 | Fax: (212) 423-0634 Principal: Renay Sadis
http://lowerlabschoolpta.squarespace.com/
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: K to 5
Class size: K: 28; 5: 28
Enrollment: 349
Ethnicity %: 59 W 9 B 16 H 19 A
Attendance: 97%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: A warm gifted program with hyper-active parents.
Downside: Separate schools in the building seem divided by race and class.
Founded in 1987 as a program for the gifted, the Lab School is modeled after two progressive private schools,
Manhattan Country School and Bank Street School of Education. Classrooms have cheerful curtains and sofas,
donated by the parents. Geraniums in blue plastic pots line a windowsill along a corridor that faces a sunny
interior courtyard. The floors are a sparkling blue.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Alexander Worm
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 89
201 Warren Street NEW YORK, NY 10282
Phone: (212) 571-5659 | Fax: (212) 571-0739 Principal: Ms. Veronica Najjar
http://www.ps89.org/home.aspx
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 5
Class size: K: 29; 5: 22
Enrollment: 517
Ethnicity %: 56 W 9 B 14 H 22 A
Attendance: 96%
ACADEMICS:
Page 15 of 23
Printed 3/9/16
What's special: A high-performing school housed in that New York City school rarity - an attractive and
comfortable modern building.
Downside: No room for children outside zone.
PS 89 has a building that's more luxurious than most other public school buildings. The interior walls are a gray
stone. Kindergarten classrooms are particularly ample, with large windows and lots of room to play. There is a
big gym and an auditorium. The building is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. In the wide corridors,
there are carpeted steps where children may sit and talk to one another, put on a small theatrical production, or
meet with a teacher.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Kathy Piscioneri
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 116 Mary Lindley Murray School
210 East 33 Street NEW YORK, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 685-4366 | Fax: (212) 696-1009 Principal: Ms. Jane Hsu
http://www.ps116.org/home.aspx
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 5
Class size: K: 20; 5: 30
Enrollment: 744
Ethnicity %: 44 W 14 B 23 H 20 A
Attendance: 95%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: School is a model for the teaching of reading and writing.
Downside: A number of talented teachers leave to become staff developers
PS 116 is orderly without being rigid and has a gentle hum of children working together. It's a strict place, but
the discipline doesn't seem oppressive, perhaps because the children are so happy to be engaged in their work
and the teachers are so attuned to their students. Children receive some arts offerings, including visual arts and
music classes, and a dance class in a studio furnished with a keyboard and platform stage for performances.
Teaching artists from the Alvin Alley dance company also have worked with the students. The school's PTA
offers a wide range of after-school clubs, offering everything from yoga to cooking.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: David McGreevy
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 134 Henrietta Szold School
293 East Broadway NEW YORK, NY 10002
Phone: (212) 673-4470 | Fax: (212) 475-6142 Principal: Ms. Loretta Caputo
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 6
Class size: 24-25
Enrollment: 345
Ethnicity %: 3 W 23 B 57 H 19 A
Attendance: 94%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Neat, orderly building
Downside: Closed-door atmosphere
Administrators twice agreed to meet us, but, unfortunately, both times requested that we leave after we asked to
visit classrooms. We were unable, therefore, to get much of a first-hand look at students and teachers. What we
can say is that while the school is clean, with shiny floors and bright blue hallway trim, classroom doors are kept
tightly shut, creating a closed atmosphere in the school. On our way out, as we walked by doorway windows of
classrooms, we saw small classes and what appeared to be orderly lessons.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Adele Unterberg
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
Page 16 of 23
Printed 3/9/16
* P.S. 150
40-01 43rd Avenue SUNNYSIDE, NY 11104
Phone: (718) 784-2252 | Fax: (718) 729-7823 Principal: Carmen Parache
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 6
Class size: K, 25; 6, 33
Enrollment: 1252
Ethnicity %: 14 W 4 B 46 H 37 A
Attendance: 94%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Active and supportive "Family Center" for parents
Downside: Kindergarten classes held in small facility with no outdoor space
PS 150 is a gigantic, sprawling school that serves the children of new immigrants from Ecuador, Mexico, and
Kosovo, as well as children of middle-class professionals who live in the pleasant townhouses of Sunnyside
Community Gardens. Test scores put PS 150 in the top 15% of schools citywide -- a remarkable achievement
given the large number of children learning English as a Second Language. It has a district-wide gifted program
and an unusual bilingual special education "inclusion" program for Spanish-speaking children. The huge, redbrick building has a sparkling new early childhood wing, decorated in primary colors. Children sit and read or
plant flowers in an attractive gazebo in the front yard. Parents take English lessons and learn skills, such as how
to get a library card, at the "family center" in the school's old cafeteria.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Edith Litwack
NYU STUDENT COMMENTS:
“Very traditional, holiday art, not democratic. It is a good place, the teacher let me teach. This place is reality.”
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 183 The School for Discovery
419 E. 66 Street NEW YORK, NY 10021
Phone: (212) 734-7719 | Fax: (212) 861-8314 Principal: Mr. Joshua Klaris
http://www.ps183.org/home.aspx
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: K to 5
Class size: K: 22; 5: 27
Enrollment: 602
Ethnicity %: 54 W 12 B 16 H 19 A
Attendance: 96%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Proximity to world-class research institutions enriches the social and intellectual life of the
school.
Downside: Math program is a work in progress
The teachers at PS 183 share a common vision of progressive education: that children learn best by doing, not
by listening to lectures; by working together with children of different abilities, not by competing against one
another. Kindergarten classrooms are less pressured than many in the city, with lots of blocks, room to play, and
a chance to socialize. "Our kindergarten teachers have been successful in holding off the push to be 1st grade,"
said Principal Joshua Klaris, a success which one mother attributed to the "absence of Type A parents" at the
school. Throughout the building, the teaching staff is good; the children are attentive; and parents are active and
engaged.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Olivia Beens
NYU STUDENT COMMENTS:
“The school philosophy is fairly nurturing, student-centered environment, but overriding sense of traditional
pedagogy. The art program is much more Discipline-Based Art Ed than Social Justice-based – very materials
based. She seems to do the same projects at the same time with all grades, upping the ante slightly for older
Page 17 of 23
Printed 3/9/16
elementary grades. I wouldn’t particularly recommend this school. It wasn’t awful, but she had me doing a lot of
busywork. She could be pretty “old school” disciplinarian with the students – clearly a little burnt out with her
career.” Nora Zale, F06
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2008
P.S. 185 John Mercer Langston School
20 West 112 Street NEW YORK, NY 10026
Phone: (212) 534-7490 | Fax: (212) 831-8613 Principal: Ms. Norma Genao
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 2
Class size: 15-20
Enrollment: 323
Ethnicity %: 1 W 68 B 31 H 2 A
Attendance: 94%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: A warm, welcoming school.
Downside: Kids have to leave after 2nd grade.
When you walk into PS 185, you are greeted by a security guard with a big smile and a hearty welcome. The
people in the main office are equally warm, and parents who arrive early or feel stressed out can wait on a
comfortable couch. The cheerful, upbeat principal, Norma Genao, was recruited from Puerto Rico years ago to
be a bilingual teacher "My goals grew from making a difference in the classroom to making a difference in the
community," she says of her transition from teaching to administration.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Andrea Rosen
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 188 The Island School
442 East Houston St. New York, NY 10002
Phone: (212) 677-5710 | Fax: (212) 228-3007 Principal: Dr. Barbara Slatin
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 8
Class size: K, 20; 5, 23
Enrollment: 419
Ethnicity %: 2 W 28 B 70 H 1 A
ACADEMICS:
A small, spacious, progressive school with mostly low-income students, many of whom who live in an adjacent
housing project, PS 188 weaves art and technology into its curriculum and provides a wide array of social
services to children and their families. Principal Barbara Slatin and her dedicated teaching staff are ingenious at
securing grants, including one that keeps the school open until 6 p.m. on weekdays. Almost all students stay till
evening, getting help with homework and participating in a wide range of after school activities. Donations,
volunteers and close cooperation with arts and civic groups bring enrichment to the curriculum. Many students
at this mostly Hispanic school still struggle with reading and writing, but PS 188 has been improving
academically. Its recent shift from bilingual education instruction to instruction in English, supplemented by
Spanish taught as a second language, could help more children meet citywide standards…
Visual Art Teacher: Mr. McDowell
NYU Student Comments: School Philosophy: “Not too shure about that one. It seemed to be a school that is
trying to improve its reputation – they had just introduced uniforms to the school, but I didn’t really get to see
much of the school outside of the art room.” Art program philosophy: “Discipline-Based Arts, with some
emphasis on art history. Wanted students to have a traditional grounding in the Fine Arts. I would recommend
this school w/ this particular teacher, but I don’t know if he will be there next year. He was good at classroom
management (of usually around 30 + students). Also, the school seemed open to having more NYU students in
the future.” Fall 2007
P.S. 198
Page 18 of 23
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4105 Farragut Road BROOKLYN, NY 11210
Phone: (718) 282-4920 | Fax: (718) 940-0821 Principal: Maryann Bassi
According to insideschools.org:
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 5
Class size: K, 20; 5, 30
Enrollment: 710
Ethnicity %: 2 W 90 B 7 H 3 A
Attendance: 94%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: A new administrative team has brought order to a school where students were known for unruly
behavior.
Downside: Overcrowding; the youngest kids are taught in portable classrooms in the schoolyard.
Academics are next on the list, the principal told us. Although test scores are about average for the city, the
school has been using a hodgepodge of teaching approaches, while settling in 13 brand new teachers in the
2004-'05 school year. Some teachers rely heavily on phonics, using workbooks purchased to supplement the
more progressive literacy curriculum mandated by the city. Others still use literature anthologies rather than
picture books and novels chosen by the children -- a method favored by the city. Most classrooms, however,
have decent classroom libraries, a feature of the city's approach.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher:
NYU STUDENT COMMENTS:
“Exposes students to a traditional background with some artists of color, it’s a small, loving school and the
teacher is open.”
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 212 Midtown West School
328 W. 48th Street NEW YORK, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 247-0208 | Fax: (212) 757-4933 Principal: Dean Ketchum
http://www.midtownwest.net/
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: K to 5
Class size: K: 24; 5: 30
Enrollment: 355
Ethnicity %: 42 W 19 B 28 H 12 A
Attendance: 95%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: An unusually warm school with unusually strong academics.
Downside: Turnover of administration and staff,
In the heart of the theater district, Midtown West attracts parents and teachers who are looking for an informal,
intimate, and welcoming school. "We have all kinds of kids, from shelter kids to people who could easily pay for
private schools," a mother said. Bank Street College of Education sends members of its staff to Midtown West
twice a week to help teachers hone their skills. Student teachers from Bank Street receive their training here.
Lessons in reading, writing, science, social studies, and even math are woven into a theme, such as the study of
Central Park. Children might take a nature walk in the park, write about it, read books about it, and calculate the
number of blocks they traveled. In one class, children built a huge 3-D model of Central Park, almost to scale,
and conducted research on Seneca Village, the African-American community that was evicted from the land on
which Central Park was built.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Dyanne Kaufman
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 234 Independence School
292 Greenwich Street NEW YORK, NY 10007
Phone: (212) 233-6034 | Fax: (212) 374-1719 Principal: Lisa Ripperger
According to Insideschools.org
Page 19 of 23
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DEMOGRAPHICS: Grade levels: PK to 5
Class size: K: 25; 5: 34
Enrollment: 693
Ethnicity %: 69 W 10 B 8 H 15 A
Attendance: 97%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: A high-performing school that gives children plenty of time for inquiry and for play.
Downside: Overcrowding means large class size in upper grades.
Teachers at PS 234 believe children need unstructured time to explore by themselves. "Kids need to learn how
to learn," says Sandra Bridges, a former teacher and assistant principal at the school, who became principal in
Spring 2003. "They need to gain the ability to generalize. I want students to learn how to approach topics that
are unfamiliar." There's plenty of time for more formal lessons in reading and math--and PS 234's test scores
are among the highest in the city. But teachers believe children learn best by doing things with their hands, by
visiting interesting places, and by researching the answers to questions that interest them.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Dana Ostrowski
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 242 Gwendolyn Brown Computer School
134 West 122nd. Street NEW YORK, NY 10027
Phone: (212) 678-2908 | Fax: (212) 678-2927 Principal: Ms. Donna L. Brewster
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: K to 5
Class size: 28-30
Enrollment: 286
Ethnicity %: 1 W 92 B 8 H 1 A
Attendance: 94%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: One of three mini-schools, each with a distinct personality and mission.
Downside: The school faces the tough challenge of absorbing students from a failed school.
The Gwendolyn Brown Computer School is one of three small mini-schools, each with its own principal,
philosophy and style of teaching. On the first floor is the Computer School, a cheerful, relaxed place where the
principal's door is always open, parents are welcome to stay each day, and the teachers work so hard that
principal Donna Brewster says she has to throw them out at 8 p.m.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Karen Klier
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 261 Philip Livingston School
314 Pacific Street BROOKLYN, NY 11201
Phone: (718) 330-9275 | Fax: (718) 875-9503 Principal: Zipporiah Mills
NOTE: For this site, contact principal or coordinator first
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 5
Class size: K: 20; 5: 27
Enrollment: 817
Ethnicity %: 28 W 45 B 25 H 5 A
Attendance: 94%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Informal atmosphere and room for kids from outside the neighborhood.
Downside: Some slow transitions in the upper grades.
One teacher who came from a more traditional school in Manhattan said she was thrilled by the level of
collaboration among the staff at PS 261. In most of the classes we visited, kids seemed happy and engaged.
The quality of writing was good, and teachers seemed to know how to work individually with children to revise
Page 20 of 23
Printed 3/9/16
and improve their work.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Leah Kronenfeld
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 295 The Studio School of Arts and Culture
330 18th Street BROOKLYN, NY 11215
Phone: (718) 965-0390 | Fax: (718) 330-2239 Principal: Nora Polansky
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 5
Class size: K: 24; 5: 15
Enrollment: 413
Ethnicity %: 28 W 13 B 54 H 7 A
Attendance: 94%
ACADEMICS:
What's special: Fantastic arts and dance curriculum.
Downside: Despite its recent facelift, old building still has some constraints: no real gym or play yard.
PS 295 has unusually strong programs in music and art and a super-involved group of parents. The nonprofit
organization Arts Connection brings music, visual arts, and dance to the school and classroom teachers
incorporate the arts into many lessons. Every class has dance at least once a week, taught by a full-time
teacher. Children learn dance notation--a dance alphabet--and learn to "read" dance--just as children who learn
musical notation learn to read music. Children play "bingo" with symbols of dance notation instead of letters or
numbers. (Winners then dance the dance represented by the symbols.) Children follow the method developed
by Hungarian-born Rudolf Laban, one of the founders of modern dance and the inventor of the most widely used
system of dance notation
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Carole Parlato
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
P.S. 363 The Neighborhood School
121 East 3rd Street NEW YORK, NY 10009
Phone: (212) 387-0195 | Fax: (212) 387-0198 Principal: Ms. Judith Foster
www.theneighborhoodschool.org
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
Grade levels: PK to 6
Class size: 18-25
Enrollment: 275
Ethnicity %: 27W / 21B / 33H / 16A
ACADEMICS
The school has strong teachers, and lessons we observed encourage kids to think independently and to voice their
views. In one 5/6th-grade classroom, students were gathered on a rug in front of the teacher, engaged in a very
sophisticated lesson about communism, dictatorships, and voting. "Was the Soviet Union a communist country?" one
boy asked. "How do countries that have monarchies or dictatorships turn into democracies?" asked another girl. In
response, a boy offered: "There's a lot of chaos at fi rst." The teacher wove the discussion together, allowing the kids
to ask questions and encouraging all the kids to participate.
Visual Art Teacher: Valerie Hammond
NYU Student Comments: School philosophy: “It’s in the East Village, and kids can wear hats! – I think you get the
idea.” Art program philosophy: “Studio in a school – Valerie has been there a long time and does amazing projects
with the kids. She has a great relationship with the principal and the whole school community. She is great at getting
help so she can do awesome projects that a lot of teachers wouldn’t even try. She is organized and has a great
personality that anyone could learn from that is going into teaching. This program is definitely based around an artist
coming in and teaching as a studio environment.” Spring 2008
LAST UPDATED: June 2008
Sacred Heart School (PreK-12 / private)
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1 E. 91st St. (Fifth Ave)
New York, NY
212.722.4745
www.cshnyc.org
According to their website:
DEMOGRAPHICS: All girls, private Catholic School
ACADEMICS: Convent of the Sacred Heart combines an outstanding academic experience with an
environment that nurtures the heart, mind and spirit of its young women. We offer a rigorous and challenging
curricular program for girls from pre-k through grade 12. The intertwining of intellect and soul is the essence of a
Sacred Heart education.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Susan Mareneck
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
St. Ann’s (PreK-12 / private)
129 Pierrepont St.
Brooklyn, NY (Brooklyn Heights)
718.522.1660
www.saintannsny.org
According to Insideschools.org
DEMOGRAPHICS:
ACADEMICS:
What we call education is the way we impart to children the best of human traditions and discoveries. For an
educational program to be excellent, it must make the learning process a rich and subtle questioning of the
world, not to mention a pleasure. Education should never be simply utilitarian. It must discover the new, be its
own ethos, confront the quotidian with what was and what might be. Education at its best creates a quality of
mind that confronts and challenges the status quo.
ART:
Visual Art Teacher: Andrew Keating
LAST UPDATED: FALL 2006
* Trevor Day School Upper School (Private, Grades 6-12)
1 West 88th Street, (near Central Park West), New York NY 10024
http://www.trevor.org
According to school website:
ACADEMICS: In the High School students pursue a vigorous college-preparatory program that cultivates
independent thought and imaginative problem solving. Students continue to participate in a rich visual and
performing arts program. The large student/faculty High School Center serves as the heart of the division and
makes collaboration between and among students and faculty possible. The state-of-the-art Science Center for
Grades 8 through 12 reflects an innovative approach to science that emphasizes active problem-solving and
inquiry-based learning. Community service, which continues to be an integral part of our students learning
experience, culminates in an 80-hour requirement, with opportunity for individual and group projects.
ART: The Visual Arts Program aims to develop the creativity and aesthetic awareness of all students by offering
a wide range of two- and three-dimensional media at beginning and advanced levels. Students are encouraged
to develop advanced skills and personal expression in areas of their choice. Through discussion, critiques and
journal writing, students develop a vocabulary that enables them to reflect on their own work in the context of
art, past and present. All courses run the duration of the academic year. Visual Arts students collect and
organize a portfolio selection of their best works. At the end of the year, the Annual Art Show, attended by the
community at large, reflects the students’ artistic accomplishments. Photography and digital art program as well
as Woodworking, Ceramics, Painting, and Sculpture.
Visual Art Teachers: Ceramics, Veronica Medina-Sable (2006 NYU Graduate), plus others in multiple media.
NYU STUDENT COMMENTS:
“It is liberal, laid back and has rotating schedules. There are lots of different classes and teachers who are
artists. I really liked the atmosphere and the arts are taken seriously.” –FALL2006
LAST UPDATED: December 2006
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* United Nations International School
24-50 FDR Drive, New York, NY 10010
Tel: 212) 684-7400, Fax: 212) 684-1382
www.unis.org
According to their website:
DEMOGRAPHICS: This school caters to an international group as well as New Yorkers. Many children of UN
workers and diplomats attend here making it ethnically and racially diverse.
According to their website:
ACADEMICS: UNIS offers a challenging, well-defined, standards-based, international curriculum drawing upon
the most successful practices in education: 1. Strong academic curriculum throughout the school2. The
curriculum fosters the acquisition of knowledge, development of skills and attitudes and complex problem
solving application across a range of disciplines3. UNIS's written curriculum and assessment plan is developed
and reviewed through an on-going renewal process4. The curriculum throughout the school is horizontally and
vertically connected and clearly articulates responsibility for teaching and assessing standards for student
learning 5. All curriculum, Junior A through the International Baccalaureate, is based on the most current
educational research available
ART: By studying different artistic traditions, students become aware of the cultural contexts that underlie
perception and imagination. In turn they also learn how perception and imagination build culture. Until the tenth
grade, works of artists, historical movements and cultural traditions that are relevant to projects are studied. In
the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, a more extensive Art History and Art Issues component
is given. Museum trips and visits by artists are organized when appropriate.
Visual Art Teachers: Jim Richards, John Ingram
NYU STUDENT COMMENTS:
“UNIS has amazing arts facilities with a diverse group of caring teachers. The high school environment is
portfolio based, and due to the I.B. program, rests heavily on collecting pieces over the course of the four year
program. This is a great school to observe a traditional, international, and conceptual, though not necessarily
politically active atmosphere.”
LAST UPDATED: December 2006
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