Best Public Grade Schools in BK?
I know about insideschools.org. I know about the 3 or 4 good Public Schools in Park Slope. I know about Brooklyn Heights but other than that where are the good public grade schools in Brooklyn? Can someone with knowledge help me cut through the BS and let me know which hoods to narrow my search…
I know about insideschools.org. I know about the 3 or 4 good Public Schools in Park Slope. I know about Brooklyn Heights but other than that where are the good public grade schools in Brooklyn? Can someone with knowledge help me cut through the BS and let me know which hoods to narrow my search to?! Thanks!
We like 154 – it is small, great teachers, good principal (not sure what the “interesting issues” are above?) Many of our friends like 10. Community Roots (lottery) in Ft Greene is great too. But the poster above who mentioned Brooklyn New School is wrong – that school is getting harder to get into, this year they had over 400 people on a kindergarten waiting list AFTER the classes were filled!
There are many schools with excellent reputations throughout Brooklyn. You need to consider what you can afford and how far you are willing to travel and what sort of amenities besides schools are non-negotiable for you. PS 321 you know about; PS 107 in the south slope is amazing with a very involved parent association; PS 154 in windsor terrace has interesting issues but will teach your children and offer enrichment; PS 230 in kensington manages to be diverse and cohesive at the same time; bay ridge schools truly are excellent, as are marine park schools, but you’ll be in real brooklyn out there.
The real challenge is Middle Schools. My daughter was enrolled in MS 51 which was a big ho-hum. It’s reputation was bogus to say the least. She got physically attacked at least once and was teased unmercifully by a gang of girls. Despite 51, she did ok academically and managed to get into the city’s best high school which nearly lived up to the hyperbole.
I know there have been a few additions to middle schools in the area, but there’s SO much attention paid to elementary schools and high schools in NY. Middle schools seem neglected.
I volunteer with an organization which involves middle schools from all over the city and I must say I am not hugely impressed with any of them. The private schools seem a little more sensitive to pre-teens but I am not sure it’s worth 20K a year.
Anyhow, I’d love to inspire the stroller set to get active about middle schools – Clinton Hill and Fort Greene are especially under-served.
Slopenick said it best, but you have to talk to the teachers too. The parents can only do so much once the classroom doors are closed. In San Diego where I grew up it was always possible for prospective parents to sit in and watch a teacher in action – not sure if that ever happens here. I’d also ask to see some samples of student work (especially from older kids) so you know what your child will be doing down the road and what the expectations are. Wish I could say more, but I don’t know much about elementary education in NYC, as I’m a high school teacher.
To eman1234, I agree about the over development problem, that was a big factor in us choosing Bay Ridge, there is no issue (yet!) about not getting into your zoned school. It’s nice to have options, but if anyone prefers (as we did) to be able to send your kids to the local, well run, within walking distance, elementary school that most of the other kids on the block also attend then I would highly recommend looking into this area.
Funky Monkey: I have heard good things about McKinley, the middle school here in the Ridge. All the teens on our block attend.
LOL newsloper… you’re right, I need a psychiatrist! and a stiff drink. (oh yeah we have an OB already…)
I was thinking about showing up with an application “gender and name TBD” b/c I’ve heard this gets really nutty if you wait too long.
If you’re on top of your sh!t and do everything on time, is it still a crap-shoot to get into your own zoned school?
Like CGfan said, there isn’t a real answer to that question. What’s best is what’s best for your child. Some schools have big reputations, like PS321 in Park Slope, other great schools are smaller and less well known, but just as great in their own way, if not better. In my opinion, parental involvement is what makes a public school great, so instead of browsing through test scores, check out the PTA at each school and what their budget is, and you’ll get an idea of how the school is valued in the community. Where ever you find a group of parents that share your values and goals, you will probably find a school that fits for you.
“wife is 10wks pregnant. renting in 321-zoned district. what should I do?”
See a doctor
no joke here. wife is 10wks pregnant. renting in 321-zoned district. what should I do?