Public Schools in Northern Brooklyn

Subject: Re: Public Schools in Northern Brooklyn

Your making a lot of assumptions about the schools based on these random web sites... you're better off visiting the schools, either via a tour, or just walking around the area and talking to parents... maybe attend a PTA meeting.

Subject: Re: Public Schools in Northern Brooklyn

I can only speak about the schools in the immediate area where I live... PS. 154, 107, and 10. Generally speaking, all three are good. 10 is excellent for special ed/inclusion, 154 has a nice "small school" feel, and 107 is very well regarded. Most all the schools in the old district 15 are good.

thesearcher wrote:
Have you attended any public schools in Brooklyn or Queens or had any children who have or known any children who have? Are there any schools that you've heard anything particularly good or bad about?

My son is a 5th grader and has been attending PS 9 (which is located on Underhill Ave) since pre-k. The NYC public schools have been in the midst of a dramatic overhaul. Many of these schools have been given the go-ahead for principals to enact programs and have more control over their school.

I can let you know a little bit about my son's school -

Since your child seems to be ready for pre-k (must turn 4 before December 31, 2006) I can tell you that the pre-k program there is FANTASTIC!! There is about 3-4 classes per grade with about 20-25 children in each class. The curriculum is the same for each grade. There is the LEAD (advanced) program which takes the curriculum a little further. If your child needs any additional help there are many, many educators there for intervention plus there is the extended day program (see below). The classroom setting at PS 9 is quite different than when I attended public school. No longer does the teacher stand in the front and conduct the lesson plan to the whole class. Each morning they start out in a circle for morning meetings, followed by reading groups (a group of 3- 4 children on the same reading level), followed by a discussion of such book. When children do sit at their desks its in groups (i.e., 4-5 children at a group) and these groups work together on projects for the day as well as the daily lesson plan.

This year the Board of Ed. enacted the extended day program for at-risk children. These are the children that did not test well on the standardized tests. They are given additional tutoring. PS 9 has enacted this program for all children which means the children are dismissed at 3:40. If your child has been performing at or above level they are given what is called enrichment programs. Last year my son took the art class and really, really enjoyed it. This year the school is taking a really great leap into afterschool clubs which take place each day from 3:40 to 4:40. A sample of some of the clubs they are offering are: robotics, science, chess, drama, dance and yoga ? plus a few others I cannot remember off the top of my head. Last year they started a boys basketball team and a girl's basketball team - and not to brag but we whipped some butt out there . They also offer many free programs such as tennis, piano, violin and golf to name a few.

PS 9 is very luck to have a working partnership with BAM where they have had a visiting dancer/choreographer work with the children and the kids then perform at BAM at the end of the year. I don?t think I know one kid in the school who does not enjoy this.

I have to say that the older teachers at PS 9 are committed to this school and the newer teachers are finding that they are able to flex their skills there without being told "that?s not how we do it here". I would be more than happy to answer any specific questions you have and you can e-mail me at [email protected].

One piece of advice is this: each school has a parent coordinator. This is the person you should contact. They usually have children who attend that school and are in close contact with the educators, administrators, PTA, etc.

The most important thing is to be involved in your child's education. Ask questions, demand change and praise those when they deserve it