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informational reviews provided by www.insideschools.org (thank you!) For further research, check out their extensive website.

Beginning With Children Charter School
11 Bartlett St
Brooklyn, NY 11206 (Williamsburg)
District 14, Region 8
718-388-8847
What’s special: A welcoming school with lots of parent involvement.
Downside: According to an article in The West Side Spirit, “There are also working partnerships with the Pratt Institute and Cornell University, both of which regularly send interns to the school.” (June 2007) Beginning With Children is a member of the College For Every Student, says guidance counselor Margie Pardo, and has held a college awareness day with visitors from Boston College and the New York Jets. (May 2007) Middle school is a work in progress.he school’s founders, a wealthy couple who have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in its operations, recently forced most members of the Board of Trustees to resign in an attempt to change the direction of the school and improve its performance, according to an article in the New York Times. Among the members who were forced to resign were parent and teacher representatives, and now parents are concerned that their voice will be lost, the article reported. (June 2007)

Brooklyn Brownstone School
http://www.brooklynbrownstoneschool.org/
272 MacDonough St at Lewis Ave.
Brooklyn, NY (Bed-Sty)
We share a building with MS35.
The Brooklyn Brownstone School was founded by parents in Bedford-Stuyvesant who believe that a high-quality education centered on community and environmental advocacy could successfully strengthen individual families and restore our local and world community.The Brooklyn Brownstone School will open for the 2008-2009 school year serving students in Kindergarten and 1st grade. Our school will add one grade per year until we are a Pre-K-5 institution. Open to all NYC residents.

Community Roots Charter School
www.communityroots.org
51 Saint Edwards St, Third Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11205 (Fort Greene)
347-738-2970, 347-738-2972
What’s special: Progressive education and lots of parent participation in this community-oriented school
Downside: Demand for seats outstrips supply; no gym teacher
Community Roots conducts a lottery in March. The school has already attracted a following and a waiting list: For fall 2007, 178 students applied for 50 kindergarten slots, some of which were to be allotted to siblings of current students who are guaranteed acceptance. The school holds tours for prospective parents every other week beginning in November. (Pamela Wheaton, March 2007)
*Lucky Lotus Yoga in Fort Greene offers a “After School Cool Program” from 3-6 pm from PS 11, Community Roots Charter and PS 20. They introduce a new class every 5 weeks so kids are exposed to different kinds of classes and cultures. Contact www.luckylotusyoga.com for times, cost and application.

Ethical Community Charter School
http://www.teccs-ny.org/
TECCS is a safe and caring community where ethics, service, and social justice are the principles that inform every aspect of school life; where teachers lead and collaborate with students in a culture of rigorous academics and mutual respect; where analytical thinking and creativity are prized over learning by repetition; where children become individuals of integrity, insight, autonomy – and socially productive citizens, workers, leaders. TECCS is an ideal school for children of families that embrace the ideals of ethics, service, and social justice together with a demanding, well-rounded education of academic studies and the arts. The greater the participation of the parents, the greater potential for the success of their children. TECCS will open in New York City on August 31, 2009, with three Kindergarten classes and three First-grade classes. As applications for admission are expected to be far greater than available places, acceptance will be decided by lottery. Early applications are advised.

PS 8- Robert Fulton School- Magnet School for Exploration, Research & Design
http://www.ps8pta.org
37 Hicks Street
BROOKLYN, NY 11201 (Brooklyn Heights)
District 13, Region 8
Zone Map
What’s special: A dynamo principal and able staff developer are invigorating the school.
Downside: School still has a way to go, particularly in the upper grades.

PS 9 Teunis G. Bergen School
80 Underhill Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11238 (Prospect Heights)
District 13, Region 8
718-834-6790
Zone Map
What’s special: School ties social studies to other subjects, from math to arts.
Downside: Bleak playground.

School Consultant Joyce Szuflita’s opinion: (1/08)

PS 9 in Prospect Heights is located at 80 Underhill. When I first saw this school’s PreK and Kindergarten I was completely blown away. The walls are overflowing with exciting projects and real opportunities for learning. You can tell it isn’t just for show. The children are engaged and comfortable with the expectation that they will thoroughly explore their subjects. Families have heard about the strength of the early grades, but wonder if it follows through to the upper grades, so when I visited last month I made sure that I saw all grades and I was happy to see that the excitement that I felt in PreK was evident to the 5th grade classes as well. Their new library/media center is slated to open in the 09-10 school year and they use the building creatively to make sure that the children get as much physical education as possible. I have loved the idea of using cooking in school since I read about Alice Waters work in California. It not only supports the health and social studies curriculum but also is fantastic when linked to science studies. They use an inquiry-based model with school wide enrichment. Arts programs are integrated into social studies and science. They have a full time Spanish teacher for all students PreK to 5th grade. Parents are welcomed into the school in many capacities including Parents as Reading Partners, Family Math events, PJ reading parties and school wide seasonal fairs. There are a wide variety of afterschool activities including Kids Orbit that runs from 3:30-6:30.
- Joyce

PS 11- Purvis J. Behan School
419 Waverly Avenue
Brooklyn, NY (Clinton Hill, Fort Greene)
District 13, Region 8
718-638-2661
Zone Map
What’s special: Small classes in a spacious, well-maintained building; strong music and arts programs.
Downside: Too many kids come late to school, or not at all.
*Lucky Lotus Yoga in Fort Greene offers a “After School Cool Program” from 3-6 pm from PS 11, Community Roots Charter and PS 20. They introduce a new class every 5 weeks so kids are exposed to different kinds of classes and cultures. Contact www.luckylotusyoga.com for times, cost and application.

PS 18- Edward Bush Magnet School For Leadership
101 Maujer Street
Brooklyn, NY 11206 (Williamsburg)
718-387-3241
Zone Map
What’s special: Small class size.
Downside: Overcrowding.

PS 20- Clinton Hill School
225 Adelphi Street
Brooklyn, NY 11205 (Clinton Hill/Fort Greene)
District 13, Region 8
718-834-6744
Zone Map
What’s special: Active parents & principal leading a resurgence of popularity for this neighborhood school; strong music and art programs.
Downside: Small lunchroom; more neighborhood parents need to consider the school.
*Lucky Lotus Yoga in Fort Greene offers a “After School Cool Program” from 3-6 pm from PS 11, Community Roots Charter and PS 20. They introduce a new class every 5 weeks so kids are exposed to different kinds of classes and cultures. Contact www.luckylotusyoga.com for times, cost and application.

PS 24- Magnet School for Dual Language and Intl Studies
421 38th street
Brooklyn, NY (Sunset Park)
718-832-9366
Zone Map
What’s special: Dual-language program in English and Spanish.
Downside: Some kindergarten classes located off site.

PS 29- John Harrigan School
www.ps29brooklyn.org
425 Henry Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201 (Brooklyn Heights)
District 15, Region 8
718-330-9277
Zone Map
What’s special: High level of parent involvement.
Downside: Old building with old wiring; not a lot of technology.

PS 31- Magnet School for Arts and Humanities
75 Mesrole Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11222 (Greenpoint)
718-383-8998
Zone Map
What’s special: Students consistently score far above city average on standardized tests.
Downside: May be too traditional for some parents’ tastes.

PS 32 Samuel Mills Sprole school
317 Hoyt Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231 (Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill)
District 15, Region 8
718-330-9295
Zone Map
What’s special: Small class size and extraordinary special education “inclusion” program.Downside: Portable classrooms in the schoolyard.

PS 38- Pacific School
450 Pacific Street
Brooklyn, NY (Boerum Hill)
District 15, Region 8
(718) 330-9305
Zone Map
What’s special: Commitment to small class sizes; interesting social studies focus
Downside: School is in transition

PS 39 Henry Bristow School
417 6th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215 (Park Slope)
District 15, Region 8
718-330-9310
Zone Map
What’s special: Commitment to small class size, creative intimate school
Downside: Architecturally-awkward set up (though most don’t seem to mind)

PS 56 Lewis H. Latimer School
170 Gates Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11238 (Clinton Hill)
District 13, Region 8
718-857-3149
Zone Map
What’s special: Arts programs and science lab in a warm, friendly building.
Downside: Sparsely equipped library.

School Consultant Joyce Szuflita’s opinion: (1/08)

From the moment that I met Mr. Williams, the Parent Coordinator at PS 56 at 170 Gates Ave. in Clinton Hill, I was welcomed like family. This culture permeates the school. Ms. Clark-Johnson, the Principal, has instituted several interesting programs. I loved the specialized social studies room and teacher and the science room full of fish, guinea pigs and bunnies underfoot. This isn’t just a petting zoo (although I love the bunnies!) it is a fully stocked science lab and solid curriculum that the school sees as an important focus. They have a beautiful courtyard with the Poetry Tree that also has room to grow vegetables and flowers – an important addition to their science curriculum. I was impressed with the staff from the Computer Room Teacher to the Math Coach. They were eloquent and engaging. One thing I love about this school is that EVERYONE participates, whether it is the giant Thanksgiving feast or the 100-Day celebration. Even the custodial staff presents a project for this school-wide festival of the number 100. The students have instruction in music, voice, theatre and art. They take lots of trips and in the upper grades participate in an Oratory Contest. The Virtual Y has free afterschool and the school has also been chosen (1 of 15 in the city) for a Pilot Math afterschool program that is open to everyone. There are also the Science, Math, Art, Dance and Journalism Clubs as well as Girl Scouts, the School Band and community service programs at a local nursing home.

P.S. 58- The Carroll School
http://www.ps58.org
330 Smith Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231 (Carroll Gardens)
District 15, Region 8
718.330.9322
Zone Map
What’s special: Lots of involved parents.
Downside: Families looking for lots of test prep won’t find it here.
MAY 2007 UPDATE: PS 58 will be adding a dual-language French and English kindergarten class in the fall of 2007. The class, part of an initiative by the organization French Education in New York, will be conducted half in French and half in English, and some students will be native French speakers.

PS 84- Jose De Diego School
250 Berry Street
Brooklyn, NY (Williamsburg)
District 14, Region 8
718-384-8063
Zone Map
What’s special: A vibrant early childhood program.
Downside: Low test scores.

PS 102 Bay View School
211 72nd Street
Brooklyn, NY 11209 (Bay Ridge)
718-748-7404
District 20, Region 7
Zone Map
What’s special: Innovative use of technology including a program for the visually impaired
Downside: Large, unwieldy size

PS 107- John W. Kimball School
1301 8th ave
Brooklyn, NY 11215 (Park Slope)
District 15, Region 8
718-330-9340
Zone Map
What’s special: Excellent arts programs & parent involvement.
Downside: Building constraints: no gym or auditorium.

PS 120- Carlos Tapia Magnet School
18 Beaver Street
Brooklyn, NY 11206 (Bushwick)
District 14, Region 8
718-455-1000
Zone Map
What’s special: Teachers and administrators are committed to progressive education and the school’s enrichment programs.
Downside: Parent involvement is meager.

PS 124 Silas Dutcher School
515 4th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215 (Park Slope)
District 15, Region 8
718-330-9320
Zone Map
What’s special: Small class size, cozy feel, and good math and reading instruction.
Downside: Cramped cafeteria and gym.

PS 130- Parkside School
70 Ocean Parkway
Brooklyn, NY (Windsor)
District 15, Region 8
718-686-1940
Zone Map
What’s special: Diversity; rich arts programming
Downside: No gym

PS 132 Conselyea School
320 Manhattan Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11211 (Willamsburg)
District 14, Region 8
Zone Map
What’s special: Strong leadership and inviting atmosphere
Downside: Tight on space

PS 135 Sheldon Brookner School
684 Linden Blvd
Brooklyn, NY 11203 (East Flatbush)
718-693-4363
District 18, Region 6
Zone Map
What’s special: Two distinct gifted programs, one for artistic childrenDownside: Overcrowding means school is divided between two locations a mile apart

PS 146- Brooklyn New School
http://www.thebrooklynnewschool.org/page/page/3033803.htm
610 Henry Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231 (Carroll Gardens )
District 15, Region 8
718-923-4750
What’s special: Innovative, project-based curriculum with lots of field trips.
Downside: Crowded classrooms.

PS 154- Museum Alliance For Science & Technology
1625 11th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215 (Windsor Terrace)
District 15, Region 8
718-330-9333
Zone Map
What’s special: Excellent early-grade teaching, lots of parent involvement.
Downside: No gym.

PS 185 Walter Kassenbrock School
8601 Ridge Blvd
Brooklyn, NY 11209 (Bay Ridge)
District 20, Region 7
718-745-6610
Zone Map
What’s special: Parents vie with one another to volunteer in the classroom
Downside: Strict, controlled atmosphere may not be for everyone

PS 196 Ten Eyck School
207 Bushwick Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11206 (Williamsburg)
District 14, Region 8
718-497-0139
Zone Map
What’s special: Warm, friendly school.
Downside: Students working in groups sometimes not on task.

PS 208 Elsa Ebeling School
4801 Avenue D
Brooklyn, NY 11203 (East Flatbush)
District 18, Region 6
Zone Map
What’s special: Every 3rd grader learns violin.
Downside: Some lackluster teachers outside the gifted program.

PS 235 Lenox School
525 Lenox Road
Brooklyn, NY 11203 (East Flatbush)
District 18, Region 6
718-773-4869
Zone Map
What’s special: An inviting early childhood annex; excellent gifted programDownside: In this gigantic school, one principal oversees three far-flung locations

PS 257 John F. Hylan School
60 Cook Street
Brooklyn, NY 11206 (Williamsburg)
District 14, Region 8
718-384-7128
Zone Map
What’s special: School with a strong sense of community and lots of energy.
Downside: School still working to implement city curriculum.

PS 261- Philip Livingston School (Magnet for Integrating the Arts)
www.ps261.org
314 Pacific Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201 (Boerum Hill)
District 15, Region 8
718-330-9725
Zone Map
What’s special: An active parents’ association; creative school-wide projects.
Downside: Fewer spaces than in the past for kids from outside the neighborhood.

PS 282- Park Slope School
180 Sixth Ave
District 13, Region 8
718-622-1626
Zone Map
What’s special: Strong music and art, plus gifted program.
Downside: Atmosphere may be too strict for some. UPDATE MARCH 2007: The Department of Education (DOE) announced plans to house a new secondary school, the Khalil Gibran International Academy, at PS 282 beginning in September 2007 with 6th grade students.

PS 295 The Studio School of Arts and Culture
ps295.org
330 18th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
District 15, Region 8
718-965-0390
Zone Map
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 321 William Penn School
Website
180 7th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
718-499-2412
District 15, Region 8
718-499-2412
Zone Map
What’s special: Ramped up attention to math has strengthened an already powerful academic curriculum.
Downside: Large, overcrowded school.

PS 372- The Children’s School
512 Carroll Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215 (Park Slope)
District 15, Region 8
718-624-5271
What’s special: Classes mix special education and general education students
Downside: School is housed somewhat awkwardly in two buildings.