Schools
In the Zone
Choices of public middle schools abound, Stacey Zable compares two within District 25.
Navigating the middle school choices, you might feel a bit like Goldilocks trying to find the one that is the right fit.
When we were deciding which school was just right for my fifth grader last year, size was.
Generally speaking, your zoned school is going to be a larger school. Below is information on two zoned Bayside area schools.
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As zoned schools go, I.S. 25 Adrien Block in Flushing is actually on a smaller scale with only 840 students. It received a "B" letter grade in the area of "school environment" in its Department of Education Progress Report, and a "B" overall.
Feeder elementary schools include P.S. 169, P.S. 32, P.S. 184 and P.S. 159. The school shares a building with World Journalism Preparatory, a lottery 6-12 grade school. (More on that school next post.)
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Academically, I.S. 25 offers Special Placement honors-type classes, Biology and Algebra Regents in Grade 8 for some students and the Urban Advantage middle school science initiative. I.S. 25 has an integrated co-teaching class in each grade.
Students can choose a variety of electives, including dance, art and music, as well as extracurricular activities that include flag football, cheerleading and a school newspaper. An after school program is available from 2:30 to 5:30, Monday through Friday.
J.H.S 185 Edward Bleeker in Flushing is another zoned school for Bayside students. It has 1,141 students. The main feeder schools for J.H.S. 185 are P.S. 21, P.S. 214, P.S. 29 and P.S. 79. Districts 25 and 28 children can also be chosen by lottery through a magnet school application.
The school has Special Placement, integrated co-teaching and Regent's classes. As a magnet school, it offers different themes, including architecture and engineering in sixth grade, medicine in seventh grade and social justice for grade eight. The themes are infused into the curriculum, offering an interdisciplinary approach. It offers a strong art program, with five art teachers on staff, among its electives. Students can also take advantage of its free after school program.
The school received an "A" from the DOE overall, but a "C" in "school environment." Gail Meyers, parent coordinator for J.H.S. 185, stressed that the school provides a "safe and nurturing environment." Just like Goldilocks, that's something we all want.