P.S. 282 - Park Slope Elementary School
- Park Slope
180 6th Avenue, Brooklyn 11217, NY
See Map | Get Directions - 282parkslope.org
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Reviews (48)
Review from the Spring 2023 Early Education Survey
Review: My child's teacher was excellent, caring, thoughtful, and had top-notch classroom management. The program was welcoming, my child seemed to learn a lot from the instruction and play. Amenities: Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Provides meals, Afterschool pickups to other programs What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? The variety of apps and emails from the school are confusing. I wish they could consolidate them but overall the staff and teacher are really accessible to any of my concerns.Review from the Spring 2023 Early Education Survey
Review: Our child attended pre-k last year and kindergarten this year. PS 282 has small class sizes, wonderful teachers, diverse student body, very warm staff and feel in the school. We would send our child here again. Amenities: Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals, Afterschool pickups to other programs What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? More information about the daily schedule and curriculum would be appreciated. Also less reliance on the smart board (i.e. giant television screen!)Review from the Spring 2023 Early Education Survey
Review: PS 282 is a large public elementary school with a rather large preK program (4 or 5 classes). The space is nice, the kids have their own pre-K playground. Overall, we had an ok experience. The class was relatively small, with good adult to student ratios. Despite being "play-based" it seemed pretty directive (kids art all came out looking the same, seemed like there was one "right" way to do it) and a lot of "pre-academic work" like letter tracing, etc. that my kid didn't love as a younger pre-K student. Despite the school's stated focus on socio-emotional learning, the teacher seemed pretty punitive with regards to behavior and her past experience was mostly with older elementary students. We decided to send our child elsewhere for K based on his experience this year, but it may have been a better fit for a different kind of kid and I've heard from parents with kids in other classes what a wonderful experience they had - so maybe it was just a bad match between our child and their teacher. Amenities: Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Provides meals, Afterschool pickups to other programs What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? Better communication from school admin, more outdoor time (seemed like it was often canceled, and my kid's outside time was late in the day, right before dismissal), better communication about parent engagement/ classroom events. There were many - and they were often in the middle of the day, which was difficult as a household with 2 working parents.Review from the Spring 2022 Early Childhood Education Survey
Location: 6th Ave, between Lincoln and Berkeley Type of facility: Pre-K Review: We had an excellent classroom experience at PS 282 Pre-K. My son's teacher and para were wonderful. They were strong early childhood professionals, using play as the main source of learning. He made wonderful friends and overall I wouldn't change much about our experience. The communication from the school admin is lacking at times but everyone was friendly and welcoming. What amenities does the facility have? Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Provides meals What would you change about the program, if anything? Better communication from the school leadership team Is there anything you would like to add about how the school is handling the pandemic? Like most schools I think they are just over policing and I felt like most of the issues I have are with the DOE in general and not necessarily the school.Review from the Spring 2022 Early Childhood Education Survey
Location: Sixth Avenue and Berkeley Place Type of facility: Pre-K Review: My son was very happy at Pre-K at PS282. He learned a lot, loved his teachers, and came home excited every day. The communication and administration could use some work, but not to the point where I wouldn't send my kid back there or tell others not to send their kids. I'm glad he will be able to stay there for the rest of his elementary school. What amenities does the facility have? Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Provides meals Is there anything you would like to add about how the school is handling the pandemic? They operate per DOE rulesISO info re PS 282
My daughter is in kindergarten at 282 and she also attended pre-k there last year. We love it! It has a wonderful community vibe, the faculty are all very warm and welcoming and the kids seem to be very happy there. Principal Rodriguez is a gem, she cares a lot about the students well-being as well as academics. My daughter is already reading full sentences after less than two months of kindergarten, and starting this year, we are an international baccalaureate candidate school. The school is well rounded with art programs, specials, Tiny Scientist in-house and the gardens. One thing that most parents get frustrated with about the school is that the communication btw school and families is a little messy-but everyone is really trying their best!Review from the Fall 2021 Early Childhood Education Survey
Type of facility: Pre-K Review: Our little absolutely loves his PreK program. Every day he is excited to wake up and go see his friends. I see an improvement in his speech and each night he talks nonstop of what he learned throughout the day. The all-day structure gets them ready for Kindergarten and we LOVE LOVE LOVE his teachers. They keep us informed throughout the day and share pictures via Class Dojo and have even been able to schedule some fun and safe events where parents could stop by the playgrounds and be involved. This is our second little at 282. Our 4th grader is a huge part of the reason why we stayed. Such a great experience. Full disclosure, I am also a member of the PTO executive board. I decided to get involved because we are such big fans. 282 really feels like family. What amenities does the facility provide? Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Provides meals, Private playground, separate entrances for littles directly into classrooms, private bathrooms in each class for PreK What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? Excited about being able to get re-engage with the class as a parent. Covid guidelines and protocols limit some of this. Is there anything you would like to add about how the school handled the pandemic? The school admin sends out a weekly newsletter, the PTO has a weekly newsletter, teachers use various platforms for connecting to families (i.e. Class Dojo)Review from the Fall 2021 Early Childhood Education Survey
Type of facility: Kindergarten Review: I adore the Kindergarten program at PS 282. I have one son in K there now and one son in third grade who started there in K. The program is fantastic, and the teachers are gifted and warm. I was shocked at how much my kids LEARNED - my older son left K writing two page essays, and my son who is currently in K came in not really reading at all and is now reading close to a first grade level. It is only December! I'm also impressed by the many specials the kids have. Right now my K son has dedicated classes in art, dance, PE, and phonics, as well as a gardening program and the Tiny Scientists program in which they get to do experiments. Most of all I'm impressed with the teachers. Frankly, I don't know how any teacher manages a class of 20 kids on their own, but the K teachers at 282 are remarkable. They run warm, happy classrooms, and my kids both loved going to school. I took my younger son out of school one morning for a vaccination appointment, and I was shocked at how disappointed he was to miss just an hour of class. He said, "I guess I just love learning?" What more can you ask for in a school? Finally, I like the diversity at 282, I like the focus on social-emotional learning, I love the comfort dog program (the counselor comes by the K classes to do social-emotional work with the kids, and often bring a trained comfort dog with her - it's amazing how much Parker opens the kids up and gets them talking and laughing). Full disclosure - I'm on the PTO doing outreach for the school. However, I'm only doing it because I believe in the school and my kids are happy and learning. What amenities does the facility provide? Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Provides meals What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? This is not limited to 282, but - the DOE program for kindergarten is a little academic for me. I love that my kids learned so much, but I wish the focus were more on play and less on sitting and learning. Again - that's the DOE's decision and not the school's, but I'm not sure 5 year olds need to be so focused on reading and math. Is there anything you would like to add about how the school handled the pandemic? The principal told me that last year (2020-2021), while there were multiple cases of covid in the school, there were zero instances of in-school transmission. Their protocols seem to be working.Review from the 2020–2021 Daycare, Preschool, Pre-K, and K Survey
Review: In a larger school building. My daughter went to preK here, so is used to the building. I haven’t been in the school since reopening, but the facilities are fine and the cleaning protocols are enforced. They have a school garden and a playground that is separate from the public playground adjacent to the school. My child loves the teachers and other students. We did the hybrid program which means she is in-person doing school 2 days per week. One day (Wed) is remote for everyone to allow cleaning between cohort switches. She likes in-person more than remote, but she is used to her remote days and is practicing her math, reading and writing at home now. I think the principal, Amy Rodriguez, is great and is intentional about facilitating parental communication. She has really risen to the occasion with read-aloud videos, social story books about school re-opening, and being responsive/supportive to family needs during this difficult time. This is on top of the administrative work she has. She has set certain principles to which all classes need to adhere —eg, 2 live-streams per day, small group work on top of that on remote days so teachers can keep track of which students need more help, no HW on weekends, no HW for preK to 2nd grade. She is also mindful of the increased screen time, and is working with faculty and families on how to minimize this while maintaining learning. Amenities offered: Has outdoor space, Provides meals What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? I wish the building was newer, but it is a huge building and is underfilled as the middle school is being transitioned out (like right now, there is a whole floor that is being underutilized in this transition).Review from the 2019–2020 Daycare, Preschool, Pre-K, and K Survey
Review: My daughter attended kindergarten at PS 282 and we had a great year. The teachers were terrific; there were various enrichment programs; the facility is comparable to other public schools in the area; the local parent involvement was great. Amenities offered: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Provides meals What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? I would include more time for playing but that is a DOE issue.Review from the 2019–2020 Daycare, Preschool, Pre-K, and K Survey
Review: We visited a lot of independent and public schools, but something about 282 felt right for our kiddo. In Pre-k we were concerned because our kiddo got to a point where she didn’t like school or the teacher. Luckily the teacher made time and space for parents to be involved and we worked with her to understand the challenges in the classroom with peers that were causing a negative experience. Also, the AP is amazing and is 100% dedicated to the student body. So, with time things were able to turn around in a much more positive direction. In Kindergarten, we officially fell in love. After getting an email about the G&T testing I registered her and downloaded the free materials on the DOE website. She then did well and placed in the G&T class, which were enthusiastic about until we realized she was the only Black child in the class. Overtime, the class became slightly more diverse. I still was very concerned about the lack of diversity and how our child would form a positive racial identity. To our surprise we found and still have a very supportive school community. The majority of the outspoken parents are not of color, which can be polarizing, but this is America. The only way this is going to change is for the PoC to be welcomed to be an active part of community. Which we see happing in real time (in small and bitter ways), even with the PTO leadership. There is still work to do, which I look forward to being a part of. I greatly appreciate our daughter has connected with her own identity and others different from her so well. She’s even found a tribe of what she calls “cousins”. Amenities offered: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? Consistent Spanish, art, science and music programming in addition to the standard curriculum.Review from the 2019–2020 Daycare, Preschool, Pre-K, and K Survey
Review: My daughter attended kindergarten last year and is now in 1st grade at 282. We have been extremely happy with our experience there, from the supportive staff, to the talented teachers to the warm and welcoming school community. My daughter has thrived, made tons of friends and become much more independent and capable. Amenities offered: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? I wish it was easier to connect with other parents who aren’t able to pickup after school - this is an issue at every public school to a greater or lesser extent since they can’t publish a directory or give out class contact lists the way they did at private nursery schools but it can be more challenging, I think, at schools where a significant number of kids are busses to the school from out of zone/district. I love having those kids as part of our school, and I expect it will get easier as the kids get older and are able to make more of their own plans.Review from the 2019–2020 Daycare, Preschool, Pre-K, and K Survey
Review: This school has really turned around in recent years. The primary things I was concerned with were my son's level of happiness and enthusiasm in going to school. Wether or not he feels supported by his teachers and wether or not he feels like his classroom is a safe place. Without a doubt all of those things have been true for both pre-k and now k. Outside of that, and for my selfish reasons, I do wish the school had better communication with the parents. I am under the impression that if they did a better job conveying all the projects and assignments they work on with the kids it would really ease the parents minds. Amenities offered: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? Better communications and 1 or 2 large PTO fundraising events rather than a bunch of small ones.2019-2020 Year Review
We have loved 282 since PreK. My son has been tremendously successful which I credit to the child-centered mentality of the school. What I currently love is the active engagement of the administration in the discussion of change. Our new principal is instituting new supports for teachers and students and is highly open to parent voices. There is a thriving community of families that support fundraising events that my son adores. My only wish is for even more families to get involved. I would make the choice of 282 again in a heartbeat. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals2019-2020 Year Review
We have had a great experience so far in Pre-K at 282. Our teacher is exactly what I want from a Pre-K teacher- friendly, approachable, and ready with a hug. My daughter was having a terrible time with drop offs and our teacher knew exactly what to do. I'd give hugs and kisses and then signal I was ready to leave and she'd swoop in with a story or a toy and open arms and my daughter would pretty quickly forget she was missing me. My goal of this year is for my daughter to learn school is a fun place that welcomes you and we have found exactly that. And as a bonus she can write her name and now washes her hands incredibly well. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals … What would you change? I might like more informational emails about Pre-K specifically. We get a lot of emails from the principal about the school in general but it would be nice if there were targeted grade-specific updates.2019-2020 Year Review
Both of my kids love PS282! The teachers are warm and caring and have helped my kids learn and thrive. The community is great - strong, supportive, diverse and involved. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals2019-2020 Year Review
My child seems to be thriving and progressing very quickly in reading and math within the space of this year. He is generally excited to go to school, is stimulated and challenged, and has settled into his classroom and made new friends. It's great to be in a neighborhood school and see kids on the playground or walking around on the weekends. There isn't a lot of transparency or communication into the curriculum or day to day life in the classroom, which is a challenging transition coming from pre-k, but it seems that this is more specific to our teacher's style rather than the school's philosophy. The school is working on better communications overall and the new principal is very involved and engaged. She has a lot of goals for the school and I think the school is headed in a great direction. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals … What would you change? More clarity and frequency of communication into curriculum and classroom activity to help us reinforce learning at home. More project-based, integrated learning opportunities.2019-2020 Year Review
Our son has been eager for school every day this year. The school has a bit of a chip on it's shoulder from years of being considered sub-standard, and that seems to drive the administration, teachers and parents to achieve that much more. This is a diverse community with a real emphasis on shared achievement and inclusion. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals2019-2020 Year Review
We were pleasantly surprised with PS282 and how much we are enjoying the pre-k program and the aftercare we are signed up for ( tiny scientists) . It was a rocky start though since the school just got a new principal and there has been tension between the school and the PTO , but when it came to classroom level experiences - we really love our pre k teacher and her interactions with my kid . She’s got a very zen vibe which is crucial I think for the beginning of school life and she engages my kiddo without being overwhelming ! I’ve found her to be a calming source for other kids as well when they are having a rough drop off . The communication is lacking at this school though. I felt completely lost and there was a ton of “rumor has it” at the beginning of the school year which I think can throw ppl for a loop when it’s their first kid in pre-k . This is something I think they need to improve , but this is also not a new complaint based off of convos with other parents ... I think they are trying their best to change the school and improving on old methods and habits and what happens is the communication ends up being the last thing on the list ... also I know in comparison to the other local schools , another complaint is the facilities are older and look more run down . This doesn’t bother me though. However, overall, If ur looking for a more diverse community school with the community feel this is it . I feel like the teachers do truly care for the students and there are changes all the time .. I’m glad my child started here and she has flourished ! … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals … What would you change? Communication from school and PTO to parents2019-2020 Year Review
Both my daughters have done pre-k (and now K and 1st) at PS 282. Our experience has been very positive so far. We came from Montessori and found the transition to pre-k at 282 to be smooth. Both our daughters looked forward to school each day. We also found the pre-k experience at 282 a great way to "trial" the school before needed to make a decision about enrolling in kindergarten. After the "trial," we felt confident in enrolling in kindergarten, as did nearly all the other parents in similar circumstances. As an added bonus, our daughter entered kindergarten with many friends she had made the while in pre-k. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals … What would you change? Communication - specifically leading up to day 1 - could be better.2019-2020 Year Review
PS 282 provided a warm and nurturing kindergarten experience that was coupled with appropriate academic rigor and access to diverse “specials” including dance, technology, and Spanish. Of particular note at 282 are the strong sense of community, commitment to diversity and equity, and focus on collaboration between the school administration and parents. Under the leadership of new principal Amy Rodriguez, PS 282 continues to incorporate curriculum changes based on leading-edge educational and developmental research and prioritize a whole child approach to success. Homework is offered but completion is not mandatory. Parents and caregivers are welcomed to the classroom on the first Friday of each month. The school also has a very active PTO that provides regular opportunities (movie nights, fall and spring fairs, etc) for students to engage outside of the academic day. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Provides meals … What would you change? Quality and frequency of communication varies by teacher. Parents need to stay actively engaged to ensure awareness of school events2019-2020 Year Review
I loved pre k for my kids they both had a great year and learned so much through the year they also became independent and made lots of new friends was a perfect year for both of them. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Provides meals … What would you change? I would love for the school to have more entertainment for the students like school plays, more sports, art classes and more get togethers.2019-2020 Year Review
I loved pre k for my kids they both had a great year and learned so much through the year they also became independent and made lots of new friends was a perfect year for both of them. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Provides meals … What would you change? I would love for the school to have more entertainment for the students like school plays, more sports, art classes and more get togethers.2019-2020 Year Review
Kindergarten at PS 282 is great! Good core teachers as well as exposure to many different enrichment subjects (music, science, technology etc). Great school community. Our son felt comfortable from day 1 … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals … What would you change? Communication is improving but still not great.2019-2020 Year Review
I feel so lucky to have had my pre-K year at PS 282! The community is welcoming and the environment warm and nurturing. We loved the school so much we stayed and are now sending our second child! Don't be afraid of mixed reviews! Take a closer look and find the local community you've been searching for. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals2019-2020 Year Review
My son started at PS 282 in K and is now a first grader. I’m very happy and more important, he’s very happy. He is learning a TON, and he feels cozy and cared for at school. Here’s what we like: - My son has developed his own community. He walks around the building saying hi to everyone, and he feels cared for and important. It’s awesome to see the confidence that comes from feeling valued by the people around you. - He’s learned so much! He came in not yet reading, and he ended K reading way above grade level and writing TWO page essays.We didn’t test for G&T, and I was concerned that gen ed might not be challenging enough for him. Nope! The teachers have all been great a teaching to where kids are - whether they are galloping ahead or need extra help. (In fact, while I was thrilled at how much he learned, it was almost too much. I would have loved a little more play time.) - Science. The PTO pays for Tiny Scientists, a hands-on, experiment-based science program to supplement the science teaching. There are also TWO dedicated science teachers on staff. - Diversity! It’s one of the few schools in the neighborhood that’s truly ethnically and economically diverse. The school also has an ASD program. - The comfort dog program. Kids get to play with and read to Parker, a golden retriever. He’s great for kids who are having a hard time, and just for reading practice. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals … What would you change? The school is still working on communication - it’s sometimes hard to know what’s going on without digging. I’d also love to see more play time and less focus on academics for this age range. Being “child-centered” is a big focus of the new principal, and I like the changes happening. (For instance, homework is optional through grade 2, minimal after grade 2, and never assigned on weekends.)2019-2020 Year Review
I love our school's research-backed curriculum, talented and invested teachers, diverse community, strong parent involvement, and nurturing environment. Most importantly, I love to see my daughter's thirst for knowledge, giddy excitement for school days, and connections with teachers, administrators, and school friends. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals2019-2020 Year Review
Very happy to be in a community school. Changes in leadership now, and we'll see where it goes. We've been happy in pre-K and K, except for communication issues. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals … What would you change? Communication from school to parents is not as good as it should be.2019-2020 Year Review
Our children has thrived this year in Pre-K! I am so pleasantly surprised as I went into the year feeling quite meh about everything. She is loved, challenged and has the daily opportunity to grow--most importantly she comes home happy and loves going to school every day. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Provides meals … What would you change? Pre-K is a machine and there is a little annoyance to that.2019-2020 Year Review
Pre-K at 282 is great - good teachers, well- equipped and spacious rooms, great outdoor space, several after - school programmes. We have had a very positive experience there. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Provides meals … What would you change? Healthier lunches and snacks2019-2020 Year Review
My daughter has had a wonderful year at P.S. 282. She enjoys going to pre-k each day Ana has made many friends. Her teachers are warm and nurturing and she has learned so much. There are many after-school program options - my daughter and her older brother (in 1st grade) attend both music lessons and a fun program called Tiny Scientists. The building is well maintained and with the phasing-out of the middle school, there is space to grow! There is also a robust PTO that works tirelessly to bring better services to all 282 students. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals … What would you change? Communication from the school could be improved, but this is somewhat of a DOE issue as well.2019-2020 Year Review
We've enjoyed the school tremendously for PK and K so far and look forward to the years to come. We've had great experiences with the teachers and parents, and have been happy with the environment overall. Through K (so far), we've been happy with the academics (reading, writing, math), and are pleasantly surprised with the PTO and the increasing level of involvement, fundraising, etc. This school has changed a lot since we've moved to Park Slope, and the change to PK-5 only has made a big difference. The school also has unique local assets like Pre-K and a gifted & talented class. The facilities are also a real asset -- because the school used to house a middle school, between the garden, the pre-K playground, the (newly refurbished) larger school playground, and the Park Slope Playground behind it, 282 has a unique amount of outdoor space, which is really amazing. The school also has a gym, which is not always the case. Our little dude has enjoyed dance, technology and Spanish special weekly classes too, and he's happy overall and so are we! … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals … What would you change? As with any public school, I think communication can always be improved.2019-2020 Year Review
My child is in the G&T K class at PS 282. It's been great! The school has amazing enrichment classes, all decided upon and funded by the incredible PTO. These include music, Tiny Scientists, dance, etc. The diversity is wide spread in many ways, which we have loved. The parents and staff are engaged and committed to making this a great school. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a school to be involved with. I will say the administration is still a work in progress as far as having proper communication, but they are putting in the work to correct this. It also has fantastic after school options. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals … What would you change? Communication between admin, teachers and parents (they are working on this)PS 282 - Do you like the school?
I wrote earlier about the school and my family has been really happy. My son started in K and is now in 1st and we'll send our second kid when he's old enough. Here's my take: ACADEMICS: My son didn't go to 282 for pre-K, but the program is meant to be play-based (so, experiential versus sitting down at desks and learning.) They have their own really lovely play area and garden, and spend more time outside. Starting in kindergarten, children are expected to sit and learn. In kindergarten, they also have several hours a week of play time, to give them a break from academics. The teachers are guided by the Columbia Teacher's College approach, so there's usually a lesson for the whole class, and then the kids break into small groups for individual assignments. The assignments can be more playful and experiential (for instance, a science lesson: the teachers bring in a lot of neat stuff from the beach, and the kids look at it under magnifying glasses or microscopes, and then draw it and write their observations. Ditto with caterpillars, which were brought in so the kids could see the chrysalis process.) Or it can be the teacher teaching a reading strategy, and the kids breaking into partners to read books to each other. Or it can be a worksheet. Homework is always 20 minutes of reading a night (and parents reading to the kids counts toward this total) and often a worksheet as well. Homework is optional and never assigned over weekends (we do the reading, but not the worksheets.) The math method taught is Singapore math, which the last administration choose in conjunction with the parent advisory board. To be honest, I don't know what Singapore math is, but people who know about math education seem to think this is a good thing. (I have a friend who is a neuroscience professor, and he gave it a big thumbs up.) I felt like this was too much sit-and-learn time and not enough play time. BUT - there are lots and lots of what the schools calls specials - art, music, gym, dance, technology, garden time, Tiny Scientists. Pretty much every afternoon seemed to be either a special, or free play time, or their social/emotional curriculum (called Sanford Harmony, if you want to look it up), where they have circle time and talk about their feelings, how to negotiate conflicts with friends, etc. My kid really liked it. He said, "If you can read, kindergarten is even more fun than preschool." Which I took as a wild endorsement. Also, at the end of K, he could read really well. At far above grade level, as well as write two page essays. More important, my kid was happy and felt hugely proud of himself for mastering new skills. In first grade, the kids are expected to sit and learn and there isn't play time. I haven't been in the classroom as much to see the lessons, so I can't comment on them except to say that my kid is still learning at what seems to be a galloping rate, and still enjoying himself. He also still has specials every day. He's still happy. I would like to see more play and outdoor time for first grade (and for every grade through middle school, frankly), but my biggest gauge is my kid. He gives it a thumbs up. I get the sense that the (very) new principal is more interested in what would be called progressive education. For instance, she brought in a FABULOUS music program called Musical IQ, which teaches music but a whole lot of other things as well. (I saw a part of a recent lesson, and the kids all had drums and were learning a song and beat, but I'm not sure they realized they were also learning about the countries, topography and animals of the African savannah as well.) The principal mentioned that part of the reason she brought the program in is because of its integrated learning approach, and she wants to encourage that model at the school. DISCIPLINE: We were at Beansprouts for pre-k, where teachers never raise their voices and the focus of discipline is discussion and teaching. That is my ideal - I'm much more interested in talking to misbehaving kids than punishing them. At 282, my son has ended up in some of the stricter classes two years in a row, so that's an adjustment. However, I have LOVED his teachers and all of them have made it a priority to get to know and understand him. They give him a level of thought, care, attention and affection that make me feel lucky, and I've also seen that the specials teachers know and understand him. He's a sensitive kid and his teachers have all recognized that. So his K teachers saw, for instance, that he needed to bring his blanket to school, even as they encouraged him first not to take it to specials, then to leave it with his back pack, and finally - months later - to leave it at home entirely and celebrate himself for his new independence. That said, I'd like to see the school be a lot more progressive about discipline. I do hear barking at kids, calling out bad behavior in front of the class, kids losing special treats because of behavior, etc. It feels like school is moving toward a softer approach. This year, the new principal has made sure that there are counselors/social workers on every floor and has brought in an emotional support dog named Parker, who sits with kids having a hard time and is also available to listen if kids need to get in some non-judgmental reading practice.PS 282 - Do you like the school?
I think your questions on teaching philosophy at 282 tap into 2 things other parents have said 1) having a new principal and 2) communication being one of 282s current “opportunities for improvement.” As a parent, it’s hard to know what’s a school-wise philosophy and what varies from teacher to teacher. From my experience (last year and this year) 282 is somewhere between traditional and progressive, with a bias to the traditional. There is a strong emphasis on the fundamentals of reading, writing, and math. These seem to be primarily desk learning but they are done in tangible “topics.” For instance writing in kindergarten sequences through various types of writing: “how to’s”, “true stores” “all about a topic” etc. 1st grade seems to revisit these but in more depth, so that the kids build on their writing abilities. I don’t know the educational lingo but the teachers and administrators can tell you which schools of thought 282 follows for each subject. Homework, at least in our class, has been reading and writing and math, with plenty of different types of exercises to choose from and is optional. Sounded like that might be a new school-wide rule? Optional through 2nd grade? At the same time there is some focus on experiential learning in certain settings ...the tiny scientist residency is the epitome of this. They also get out in the garden, and they have music and visual art, technology that are all hands on. The new principal seems quite progressive but says she’s taking time to observe the school and understand what is working. Her core principles are child-centered, learning-focused, solutions-oriented but we haven’t yet seen how this manifests. Her push for a social emotional learning program that involves a comfort dog for the school is just one little glimpse of her thinking. Hopefully on the tours this year the principal will be available to answer questions. The former principal, Mr. Hoke spoke eloquently on the school’s priorities on the tour I went on 2 years ago. As well as the assistant principal. All around, my son seems very engaged in his learning. The teachers I’ve experienced are very dedicated and in tune with kids’ different learning styles and motivation. I’m quite happy with the balance so far and can only imagine the vision/philosophy will tighten up and (fingers crossed) will be communicated to us.PS 282 - Do you like the school?
echo the excellent responses other parents have given here. We have a 1st grader at 282. It is our zoned school and while our son is in the G&T class, we were set on (and registered at) 282 even if he hadn’t tested in. The sense of community at 282 is great among the parents and the kids. There are always people around, esp in the beautiful play yard or park next door after school and on the weekends. Movie nights are well attended. The other parents did such a great job answering your specific questions, so I want to add a couple of additional (unsolicited ha!) thoughts: I know there are a lot of opinions about g&t but from my perspective at 282 it feels very simple: kids who are the most accelerated learners are clustered together in class. That’s it. It’s still one student body community. All the kids in the grade are together at lunch and recess and know each other. Friend groups span individual class assignments. From what I can tell, the kids are fairly oblivious or simply don’t care that one class out of the ~5 or in K and 1st is G&T. All the kids have the same enrichment teachers who they adore and all the kids get Tiny scientist and musical IQ. So there is quite a shared experience and “lexicon” around the school. The other thing I really appreciate is that every effort you make as a parent volunteer is greatly appreciated and truly impactful. 282’s amazing PTO has surpassed $100k in fundraising in recent years and doing better every year, which I read somewhere puts 282 in the top 5% of schools citywide for fundraising! But when you compare it to the fundraising goals of other park slope and bococca schools it’s a drop in the bucket. Can you believe the disparity in this city! What this dynamic creates at 282 is a truly dedicated and spirited parent community and an instant sense of comaraderie. The results of people’s good ideas and hard work are INSTANTLY evident. (Case in point our spooktacular that was expertly executed netted 55% more than last year!) This money is hard earned and generously donated, and there is a real sense of responsibility to spend it wisely in a way that it will enrich every child’s school experience. Also, all you have to do is sign up for 1 hr of work at an event (which is my speed) and you are welcomed in, part of the team - we’re in this together. It’s a very populist vibe. There is momentum at 282 but there is so much opportunity for growth - if someone has a good idea or a skill or resource to bring to the table, people want to know about it. The excitement and energy is palpable. Most importantly my son has felt comfortable at school from day 1 of kindergarten. (And he’s a fairly reserved and nervous kid in general and the very youngest in the class). He seems to know the names of all the adults in the building. Even the custodian has a rapport with the kids.PS 282 - Do you like the school?
I have 3 children at PS 282 and we have been having a great experience. My oldest is in the G&T class in 3rd grade, middle child is in the ICT class in K, and youngest is in pre-K. We've been there since my oldest was in K, so we have several years under our belt. I am not as involved in the day to day, but all of my children come home happy and love going to school. They have made great friendships and my husband and I have found an amazing community there as well. We've had a number of great teachers since we've been there, albeit some more communicative than others. The kids love the Tiny Scientist program and have been raving about Musical IQ this year. I also love that the kids are exposed to chess. I'm not sure if it's still played during the school day but all of my children stay for after school through a program called NuGen, where they are exposed to a number of enrichment programs, such as chess, coding, cooking, and soccer. The new school yard is a beautiful space for the kids to play at recess. The principal is just getting started, but so far she seems very receptive to feedback and suggestions. I'm excited to see more of what she has in store for the school. Overall, we love it there.PS 282 - Do you like the school?
I have a son in 3rd Grade G&T and daughter in 1st grade Gen Ed, I've been at the school 4 years now (Ruby started in pre-k and we never left). I have been extremely happy with my experiences so far, my kids literally love school (so heartwarming when they say it's been the best day of their life - a few times a week :-)) and they I've been so impressed with their learning (insert tears when my K daughter read a whole Dr Seuss book to me!). There are some bumps in communications and with implementing and embracing the changes the new principal is bringing, but she is thoughtful about all of this and very available and communicative. Few things: I love the voice parents have in terms of driving change and improvements in the school, both at the PTO level and with the school administration. I'm on the school SLT, as I like to help focus on the direction and strategy of the school and have found our new principle Amy to have a vision, be very focused on the child and their experiences and on quality of teaching to ensure consistently good teachers across the board. she has some very specific aims for the school and we are marked to be a flagship school of excellence in the district (exciting!) Love the parents many of who are now close friends! we have such a great parent community, we like to have fun together and our kids have playdates, sleepovers etc - always someone to step in when I can't make pick up or to grab a glass of wine with! love our diversity! it's very real and being Asian it was important my kids saw others like them and others who are different. The principal is very focused on retaining and building on this. We have a lovely socio-economic mix too and I've learnt so much and opened my mind in many ways since being at the school, skills and tools my kids will have too Anyway I recommend joining a tour and seeing for yourself and asking questions, it's a difficult decision but I'd say visit the school and frankly go with your gut! Good luck!PS 282 - Do you like the school?
Mom of a first grader here and, full disclosure, I'm the PTO VP of Outreach so I might be contractually obligated break into a rendition of the Beach Boys’ “Be true to your school” at any moment :) That being said, I really do love 282 and have found that it’s the right fit for my family. From the things you specifically asked about: Class size: Class sizes are on the smaller side for the NYC DOE which we love. There's plenty of space for kids to move around, the halls and classrooms aren't crowded, and there's great student/teacher ratios. For instance, in Kindergarten, there were 18 students in my daughter’s class – add on that she was in the ICT class (“Integrated Co-teaching” class where students with special needs learn alongside general ed students who don't have special needs) which meant that she had the benefit of two teachers so the student/teacher ratio was 9:1 (plus there was a full time para in the class). It was heaven. She’s not in the ICT class this year and first grade is generally bigger than K. I don’t know the exact number but I think there are roughly 25 kids in her class. Teachers: In EVERY school you have the coveted teachers and the not-so-desired teachers but I can only speak from experience with the three teachers we’ve had: I have absolutely adored all three. Each one takes a researched backed approach to pedagogy. One of my daughter’s teachers last year won a $10,000 national award for her commitment to creating inspirational and harmonious classroom. All of our teachers have viewed themselves as part of a team with the student and parent to make the most out of the educational experience. And, it warms my heart that whenever my daughter sees one of her teachers, she runs up for a hug. Principal: As you probably heard, we got a new principal at the end of the last school year so she’s still very new, having only two months to really be in the school so far. I’m looking forward to seeing where she takes our school with her ideas on experiential learning, solutions oriented outcomes, and child-centered supportive environments. PTA: Would it be completely self serving as an Executive Board member to say we have an awesome PTO…? What I will say is that I entered last year having a very minimal number of contacts in the parent community at 282 to now being on the PTO Board and being genuinely excited to catch up with parent friends at events. I had to laugh at Rachel’s note about the PTO being scrappy – I’ll even wear it as a badge of honor. We’re the type of PTO where if you come in and have ideas and the energy to back them up then, let’s do it! And, parents have a voice at 282 – it’s cool. Some other highlights: · Residency with Tiny Scientist (a HUGE hit with the kids – and my daughter understands science concepts that I didn’t really hear about until I was in high school) · Art: I loved that my daughter learned about artists that I wouldn’t have thought to expose her to like Jean Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. · Gym: We have a full sized, dedicated gym. Think about all that space! In Brooklyn! · Dance: I especially loved the end of year assembly where part of it was performing. The kids love it because, although the DOE only allows one recess a day, this is an opportunity to get up and get those wiggles out. · Other Specials: Technology (my daughter’s current fav), Spanish, and Music (currently done through a residency with Musical IQ) · Green Space: We have a huge outdoor garden with opportunities for all classes to not only plant but then eat what they’ve grown. Plus, a great opportunity for the kids to get outside and learn about the earth. · Outdoor play space transformed last year · Events: Lots of opportunities to see friends and classmates outside of school. For instance, we just had an enormously successful Halloween Carnival called Spooktacular. We also host monthly movie nights in the auditorium, parent happy hours at local establishments, a spring arts fair, and more! · School Teams: We have school teams like rugby and basketball but I want to give a special shout out here to our cheerleading team – some of the upper grade girls decided they wanted to start up a cheerleading team so they raised money for uniforms, found a coach, got a teacher sponsor and did it! It’s such a great example of the go-get-em, self-starter spirit fostered in the children and how you can mold your own experience at 282 and I’ve personally loved seeing the team perform. They’re so fun! · Diversity: The stats – Asian - 3%; Black - 46%; Hispanic - 25%; White - 23%; Other - 3%. 44% qualify for free/reduced lunch. 18% have disabilities. Brad Lander mentioned 282 in a letter describing schools with “integrated, inclusive, educationally-rich learning environments” and said that 282 is a “great pro-diversity option.” In my opinion, there are no substitutes for this component of our daughter’s education experience. I love our community. If all that isn’t enough, my daughter absolutely loves school. She shares her accomplishments with pride and we work as a team with the teacher in her areas of improvement. And as long as she maintains her love of learning, I’ll maintain my love of the school. Is everything perfect at 282? Of course not, but this is a rising star in our neighborhood and I’m so thrilled I get to be part of shaping the future.PS 282 - Do you like the school?
I'm a parent of a first grader at 282 and we started in kindergarten. We're very happy, and more important, our son is happy and likes school. Here's what we're happy about: Teachers. So far we've been thrilled with both teachers, and again, my son has been too. They have both been smart and imaginative, and quite strict but also very in tune with the kids in their class. I was concerned about the quite strict part, but I take my lead from my kid, and he doesn't seem to mind. One of our kindergarten teachers (he was in a class with two teachers) won a 10k national prize for her teaching. Specials. In addition to reading/writing/math, the school offers a LOT of specials. In K my son had art, gym, Spanish, science, technology and dance from the school. The PTO also funded a music class and Tiny Scientists, which is an experiment-focused science lab. This year he has music, dance, gym, technology, Tiny Scientists, and then next semester I think visual or performing arts coming. I also know I'm forgetting some stuff as well. It's fun to have him exposed to so much, and he really liked it. Diversity. In Park Slope it can be hard to find a school that accurately represents the make up of the city we live in. It's really nice that my son has classmates from so many different ethnicities and income brackets. The school is focused on maintaining this diversity and expanding it - they lobbied hard to open a class for autistic kids, for instance. As the neighborhood embraces the school more and more, I hope the student population doesn't change much. It's really wonderful to see everyone learning, playing, and forming friendships together. Here's what I would like to see change: It's quite academic. We didn't test for G&T, and I was a little concerned that my son wasn't going to learn a ton academically. In fact, there is quite a lot of focus on sitting and learning and he did learn a ton. He came in not reading and now reads significantly above grade level. At the end of kindergarten he wrote two-page essays. I now wish there was a bit more time for pure fun and outdoor play. The principal has said she's interested in figuring out how to have a longer recess, though a lot of what happens is DOE mandated and it is hard to juggle schedules to make everything work. Communication. The school does a lot of neat stuff. They just don't often tell the parents about it. Some teachers are highly communicative, but if you get one that's not, it can be hard to get information about what's going on. What you asked about specifically: Class size - in K my son had 18 kids in his class, in first grade he has 22. Principal - The new principal is Amy Rodriguez and she's only really been around since September (she came in I think it was the last week of school last year, so parents are still getting to know her.) So far, she's been responsive and open - she has an open door policy and welcomes drop ins and email - and she has a few initiatives that I really like. One is a homework optional policy for the lower grades, and the second is that she started an emotional support/reading dog program, and now there is a lab named Parker who's available to hang out with kids who are having a hard time, or listen to kids who need extra practice on their reading. PTO - Small but scrappy and full of energy for new projects and for new people who want to get involved.G+T thoughts ?
So we sent our son to our local school, 282. I have to admit I was concerned, especially because 282 has a G&T program. I had a lot of different and sometimes conflicting worries - was my son going to be challenged? Alternately, I don't believe in much challenge in actual kindergarten (and I believe the research supports that it's not necessary) - was he going to be too challenged? Would he make friends? Would it be a good environment? Was he on track for an ivy league? I know it's ridiculous, but there is so much stress manufactured around KINDERGARTEN that it's hard to avoid. He's now a first grader, and my husband and I are both happy with our decision. More important, my son is happy and is thriving academically. I was worried that not testing for G&T meant that we were choosing a less challenging/varied/fulfilling education. That turned out not to be the case. (In fact, my other worry turned out to be true - I'd say the kids are too pushed rather than not pushed enough. I'd rather they had more time to run and play.) The school offers each kindergarten kid dance, technology, a science program with a dedicated science teacher + extra experiments and science through Tiny Scientists, music, Spanish, art (and I think I forgot a few.) At the end of kindergarten, he was writing two page essays. He reads well above grade level. And there was a group of kids who were doing similar work and pushed him (including one who was reading upper elementary stuff in K.) His classroom is also wonderfully diverse - ethnically, by income, by learning type, etc. - and being close and playing with lots of different kinds of kids is also a great skill and an important part of his education.Review from the 2019 PSP Daycare, Preschool Survey
I highly recommend PS 282. My daughter attends the Kindergarten (Gen Ed) and we could not be happier with the education she is receiving there. The curriculum is highly regarded using Singapore math and Teacher's College reading/writing and the student/teacher ratio is low. This has benefited her greatly and I've seen her make huge leaps in her academic skills. There are great enrichments such as art, dance, technology, extra science, music, and more. There is a strong focus on socioemotional development - one of the K teachers even won a nationwide award of $10k for her work in this. The facilities are great - bright classrooms decorated with appropriate posters and designs, large gym, separate cafeteria, brand new play yard, great auditorium with brand new lights, and the DOE has committed to installing air conditioners this summer. The students are also a great cross section of Brooklyn - as per insideschools, PS 282 serves students who are 46% black, 25% hispanic, 23% white, and 3% asian - and I love that my daughter experiences the strengths of having a diverse community. Additionally, there is a new ASD Horizons program that seems to be very successful. The PTO is active and there is a great balance between the school being very responsive to parent input while not requiring the hand-holding of helicopter parents. Is the school perfect? No, but it's a school where the strengths greatly outweigh its weaknesses. Overall, I feel lucky that PS 282 is my zoned school and I'm looking forward to several more years there. DETAILS: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals What you would change: It would be nice if PS 282 had a bigger budget.ISO Reviews for P.S. 282 Pre-K Program + After-School Programs
I can’t speak to the Pre-K since my son didn’t attend for that - but he did start K there and he LOVES it. The school has a great momentum right now and we love the spirit and energy. The principal is wonderful and we attend the coffee talk with him every month to find out what’s going on at school. The really find so many ways to include families whether it is a recital, Family Fridays ( once a month parents come for a morning activity such as show and tell), Thanksgiving and Holiday parties, Halloween carnival, etc. I really feel like part of a wonderful community. I found it super easy to get involved in the PTO and definitely feel like the parents have a voice in helping shape the future of the school. We are able to see changes being implemented in regards to the curriculum and the actual facilities which are getting facelifts (new auditorium lights, new technology lab coming, playground surface being redone this summer). As far as after school goes they have quite a few programs to choose from - my son attends Tiny Scientists all 5 days. It is his absolute favorite part of the day. They have a snack, go outside and then do an experiment/activity and/or art project and then read some books together. Each week has a different theme. His favorites have been magnets and fossils so far. We signed him up for the first 13 weeks and then eagerly encouraged him to try something new and he told us he NEVER wants to miss it ever and begs to stay until 6pm every day. The instructors are a great mix of people/energy but they are all enthusiastic, smart, patient and kind. As you can tell, I highly recommend it if your kid has any interest in science.Review from the 2016/2017 PSP Daycare, Preschool, PreK, Kindergarten Survey
Type: Kindergarten About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals Review: Amazing experience, seems to be a progressive school that's continuously improving and is open to feedback and dialogue on what we as parents want - I feel the parents have good access and a great partnership with the Principal and staff. Great curriculum and experiential based learning, seems to be adding additional things such as languages and more focus on social development as well. Engaged and passionate teachers and a great parent body too.Review from the 2016/2017 PSP Daycare, Preschool, PreK, Kindergarten Survey
Type: Pre-K About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals Review: PS 282 pre-K is excellent. My son was in a clsss with 11 kids and 2 amazing teachers. The academic teaching was great but more importantly the teachers emphasized social emotional learning and were super loving and fun. I highly recommend the pre-K and the school as a whole. The newish principal is great, and the school is very diverse.Looking for feedback on PS 282 Pre-k
My son also loves the pre-K at 282. Our teachers (Ms. Lopez and Mr. Williams) are amazing and there are only 11 kids in his class. He has learned so much — both academically and social emotional. He likes it so much that he has asked repeatedly to stay for kindergarten. We will be switching him to our zoned school 321, but might not make the switch if we didn’t already have an older child at 321. I really like the diversity of the classes at 282 and the small class size. My only complaint about 282 is that I have to pick one kid up at 282 and one at 321, so I am excited about having one pick up next year. The newish principal at 282 is great and has really improved the school a ton over the last few years. The middle school that shares the building is being fazed out starting next year, which will give the elementary school more room to expand. If you were waitlisted at 282 (as we were), I encourage you to call and email them repeatedly. The front office isn’t the most responsive, and I had to call repeatedly over several weeks to get off the waitlist. But it was worth all the effort because we love the pre-K. Feel free to contact me offline for more information.Looking for feedback on PS 282 Pre-k
My daughter is there this year and we love. We are even considering keeping her there (we are zoned for 321). We love her small, neighborhood feel and have been so happy with each pre-k teacher we have met. I have also been so impressed with everything they've learned this year - they've done sessions on their community, transportation and gardening. She comes home talking about precipitation and the scientific names for different parts of the plants.Review submitted via the PSP 2016 PreK Survey
Review: We are thrilled with this program! Our sons teachers are loving and fun. He is learning so much and loves school. About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Provides meals Review submitted via the PSP 2016 PreK Survey
