School's Out in Williamsburg
Williamsburg and Greenpoint may be filling up with affluent families lured by the recent condo boom, but the well-heeled new residents are hardly beating a path to local schools. According to an article in this week’s Crain’s (sub. req’d), enrollment is plummeting in the neighborhoods’ public schools–it’s down 12 percent in elementary schools over the…
Williamsburg and Greenpoint may be filling up with affluent families lured by the recent condo boom, but the well-heeled new residents are hardly beating a path to local schools. According to an article in this week’s Crain’s (sub. req’d), enrollment is plummeting in the neighborhoods’ public schools–it’s down 12 percent in elementary schools over the past two years, with middle schools operating at 56 percent capacity, on average. The classrooms are emptying as older residents priced out of the neighborhoods are forced to leave and newer residents put off by what they consider to be conservative education practices decide to send their kids to schools farther afield. The trend is exposing chinks in the armor of the Bloomberg administration’s rezoning of northern Brooklyn, which was supposed to create a community where rich and poor (and their offspring) rubbed shoulders. On top of that, it could spell trouble ahead for developers who are marketing Williamsburg and Greenpoint buildings to young professionals with families. And developers are keenly aware of the areas’ lack of pull on the education front. “We have thought about it,” said Ron Moelis, a principal with L&M Equities, which is developing Schaefer Landing. “I don’t have an answer for you. There’s talk of a charter school, a new magnet school or maybe even a new private school. It would be great if that occurs.”
Photo by specmotors.
PS 84………… If you don’t know what happened there last year, then you are ignorant.
“As sure as you can set your clock, after one year at 17 you will be looking for another school.”
Why? Back that up, Ms. “I only exported my kids because I had to.” What, are you afraid of local retaliation? You said your kids don’t go to school in the neighborhood anymore. Why not tell us why? If there’s a valid reason I’d like to hear it.
Talking INCOME Taxes. Many of you wouldn’t know about that would you……….
I’m with you 8:28.
For all that people make fun of Park Slope, the thing that makes it truly special is the sense of community and ACTUAL action that has been taken over the years by MANY people in the neighborhood to do things to improve it…whether it’s the schools, prospect park, recycling or grocery stores…
Do you think a Food Coop would ever work in Williamsburg??
Hell no.
People there don’t have the same sharing community spirit that exists in Park Slope. And of course not everyone in PS, just like there are some in Williamsburg that have it…It’s just that there are A LOT more of those types here…enough to create a tipping point anyway.
Actually Brooklyn has the lowest property taxes anywhere, 8:23 pm. Look it up. Nassau County LI you pay $18,000 a year in property taxes for a 3 BR. But it does fund the schools there. People in Brooklyn want something for nothing. If the property taxes were not so low in Brooklyn there’s no way most would be able to afford million dollar condos in Williamsburg. Ah the irony.
They don’t give back, 8:08 pm. They brought their suburban attitudes to the city, the suburban lifestyle where people live isolated in their houses like pods then drive in their SUVs windows up, sealing out the world, past their neighbors in the subdivision they don’t even know and have never spoken to.
I grew up in the suburbs and I can’t stand that attitude and way of living. I can’t understand why someone would want to recreate it here. If you are going to be in the city BE in the CITY. 100%.
Every one is foced to give back in the form of taxes. Some of the highest in the country.
I think the poster meant the “best schools in the city” are found on the Manhattan side of the Williamsburg bridge. Not the other way around.
As sure as you can set your clock, after one year at 17 you will be looking for another school.