District 13’s redesigned middle school brings state-of-the-art facilities and an innovative education experience to the heart of DUMBO
Applications being accepted now, doors open for the new school year
DUMBO – Parents, students, community leaders, teachers and administrators gathered today in DUMBO to launch The Dock Street School for STEAM Studies, which is now taking applications for the fall semester (more details at www.dockstreetschool.nyc). Housed in a brand-new building on the corner of Dock and Water Streets near the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Dock Street School will serve 6th through 8th graders from across Brooklyn’s District 13 (Bedford-Stuyvesant, Fort Greene, downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights, Prospect Heights, Clinton Hill and north Park Slope).
The Dock Street School boasts the most modern public middle school facilities in Brooklyn and offers a unique educational experience. In addition to a traditional academic curriculum, students will engage in hands-on, collaborative projects in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) fields, partnering with the best of DUMBO’s cultural institutions and neighborhood anchors: mentoring with DUMBO tech innovators, science and recreational partnerships at Brooklyn Bridge Park, cultural performances and workshops at St. Ann’s Warehouse. The faculty will also emphasize social emotional engagement. Students will participate in a wide array of sports activities, during and after school. And The Dock Street School will offer support for students with disabilities and services as indicated on their IEPs. Twelve-to-one and collaborative teaching classes, as well as ESL, will be available.
The school will be led by inspirational Principal Dr. Melissa Vaughan, an experienced educator, administrator and arts professional who holds a doctorate from New York University and was previously a principal dancer at the prestigious Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
“The Dock Street School is a tremendous addition for families in District 13, offering our middle school students a unique educational experience grounded in STEAM studies and benefitting from all that DUMBO has to offer,” said District 13 Superintendent Barbara Freeman. “With the best facilities and under the extraordinary leadership of Principal Dr. Melissa Vaughan, the Dock Street School is poised to deliver world-class education to our students.”
“We have developed the Dock Street School in collaboration with parents and community leaders and incorporating the latest and best thinking in the field,” said Principal Dr. Melissa Vaughan. “Students who join us in the fall will become part of a special community of learning with access to the facilities, partnerships and innovative curriculum needed to succeed.”
The Dock Street School was launched as the result of an intensive community working group process to reimagine and relocate the former MS313, called Satellite West. A stakeholder group of parents, students, teachers, administrators and community leaders met over a series of months with the Principal and Superintendent and other educators to inform the design and development of the school. The group provided feedback on district and community needs, support and insight on community outreach and marketing the school, and connections with and referrals to multiple stakeholders in the district.
The Dock Street School is the culmination of a years-long public-private partnership between the City of New York and Two Trees Management. As part of the rezoning process in 2010, Two Trees agreed to build a 45,000 SF public middle school as part of a residential building it would build at 60 Water. After it completed the new building and the custom-designed school space, it sold the space to the Department of Education for $1 and the School Construction Authority is busy preparing the space for the Fall opening. Below the middle school will be a 72-seat Universal Pre-K facility.
“We are so delighted to welcome the students of the Dock Street School to Brooklyn Bridge Park,” said Regina Myer, President of Brooklyn Bridge Park. “With our wide variety of facilities, programs and cultural partners, we hope the school and its students will enjoy the Park not only for outdoor active recreation, but as a waterfront laboratory for learning.”
“St Ann’s Warehouse welcomes District 13’s new Middle School to DUMBO,” said Susan Feldman, Artistic Director at St. Ann’s Warehouse. “We are especially excited about the “A” for “Arts” aspect of the STEAM curriculum, and look forward to working with Melissa Vaughan, the Principal, and Barbara Freeman, the Superintendent of the district.”
“Going to middle school in DUMBO is going to give these kids access to all sorts of incredible people and institutions – from art galleries to tech start-ups, from music producers to filmmakers,” said Alexandria Sica, Executive Director of the DUMBO Improvement District. “DUMBO is like Candy Land for the curious and we want all of the kids at the new middle school to get into the community and experience all of the weird and wonderful things created here. Imagine field trips to the app designer who made you’re favorite game who just happens to work a few blocks away. Our members couldn’t be more excited to share this special place with the District 13 community.”
“As a space whose mission is to foster the advancement of the arts, media and technology, we are thrilled to be welcoming The Dock Street School to the community,” said Sabrina Dridje, Director, Made in NY Media Center by IFP. “We are excited for future collaborations that ensure this vibrant area continues to be one that fosters talent, training and creativity.”
School Profile
– Opens September 2016
– 19 Dock Street, corner of Dock and Water Streets in DUMBO (next to the Brooklyn Bridge)
– 300 public middle school seats serving grades 6 through 8
– Open to students from across District 13 in Brooklyn
– 21st century building featuring:
- A science lab and science demo room
- Gymatorium
- Uniquely designed music suite including a classroom, practice cubicles and music storeroom.