Our School Expert, Joyce Szuflita has done some investigating for us. She came back with some good reports on P.S. 9 (Prospect Heights) and P.S. 56 (Clinton Hill).
There are many good elementary schools in Brooklyn. Several of the schools are famous on the listserves and always mentioned in street corner conversations. These worthy schools benefit from the excitement of the neighborhood buzz. I also see wonderful schools that don’t seem to get the same attention. So I am getting up on my soapbox to start some buzz. From time to time I will profile schools that I love, in no particular order. They just deserve a shout out. You guys need to start talking about the great work being done at PS 9 in Prospect Heights and PS 56 in Clinton Hill.
These two schools have experienced and visionary Principals and smart, welcoming Parent Coordinators. Their students are focused, creative, bright and obviously loved by everyone in the building. Both have modern era buildings with libraries, gyms and auditoriums, and among many interesting programs they feature cooking and/or a garden to supplement their excellent science programs.
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.
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.
I don’t have any stake in these schools other than I love the work that is being done there. Call them and find out about tour dates.
PS 9 – Charmaine Derrell-Jacob, Parent Coordinator, (347) 563-5324
PS 56 – Marvin Williams, Parent Coordinator (347) 563-5333
Joyce Szuflita is NYC School Help. Joyce is a 28 year Brooklyn resident and the mom of teenage twins who has spent years talking to educators, combing the internet, visiting schools and being generally obsessed with all aspects of Public and Private schooling in Brooklyn and NYC. She consults privately with families who want to navigate the school search. She is seen in the NY Times, Time Out NY Kids, NY Family – Brooklyn.