Neighborhoods in Brooklyn with good elementary and middle public schools? (New York: apartments, condos) - City-Data Forum

LeoNYC · 12-24-2009, 08:11 AM

My husband and I would like to move to Brooklyn from Manhattan (expecting a baby, so living in a 1-br apartment is becoming difficult). We were initially considering moving to Park Slope, but looking at the prices of 2br apartments in the area of School District 15 (PS 107) would like to consider other less expensive Brooklyn neighborhoods.

Can someone recommend neighborhoods/school districts in Brooklyn that are zoned for good elementary and middle public schools, in addition to District 15 in Park Slope (PS 107)?

We don't mind living in an "immigrant" neighborhood (and I know Brooklyn has many), since we have also immigrated to the US from Eastern Europe, as long as it has a good public school.

Seems that there are some good elementary schools in Midwood and Gravesend, and possibly Windsor Terrace. But would love to know more.

Thanks!

shekjae · 01-01-2010, 06:27 PM

mark twain are consider a top middle school in brooklyn , i think is in coney island

Veve0308 · 01-04-2010, 12:42 PM

Canarsie Brooklyn has great schools although after middle school you should search else where. This is a family oriented location that is full of private schools and public schools your pick. I live in Canarsie and am across the streets froom one of the schools, you see parents there with their children, very tight community.

Although you might get some people to scare you because it is mostly West Indians that owns these homes, but you'll get a nice two bedroom for $1400 you're close to belt Park Way and depending on where you are the L Train. You'll have suburbs living without the extra money.

Woozle · 01-04-2010, 01:29 PM

Consider researching the Gifted and Talented programs your school district may offer.

Programs/Services - Gifted and Talented - New York City Department of Education

If your child is exceptionally "gifted" (i.e. scores in the 99th percentile on an IQ test for 4 year olds) you may be able to send him/her to a citywide G&T school. I particularly like NEST+M and Andersen (both in Manhattan). Those are the only schools in NYC that do not make me cringe. They teach Singapore math in place of that godawful "Everyday Mathematics" fuzzy nonsense that is used by every other public school in the city, and the rest of their curriculum is heavily accelerated.

nyctovt · 01-05-2010, 08:32 PM

If you can afford to live in the Bergen Beach/Georgetown/Mill Basin areas of Brooklyn I think you will find the schools in this district rank among the best in the city. Some of these include IS 78 aka Roy H. Mann, PS 312 aka Bergen Beach School, PS 203 aka Floyd Bennett Elementary, PS 236 aka Mill Basin School.I believe all of these schools are in Brooklyn School District 22. As for High School in this area your best bet would probably be James Madison HS on Bedford Avenue.
I have also been told that PS 346 aka Abe Stark Elementary School in Starrett City is the best elementary school in district 19. Also in Starrett City there is I.S. 364 aka Gateway Intermediate School which is also very well performing. Only problem with the IS 364 in Starrett City is that 7th grade is located in the basement of one of the complexes parking garages (G-Section) and 8th grade is in the basement of the parking garage on the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue. (F-Section.) It is OK if you don't mind the kids having to evacuate from school every once in awhile due to a car fire or accident in the garages.I guess you would have to live in Starrett City to attend the schools within the complex but it is much more affordable than the Bergen Beach/Georgetown/Mill Basin area. Hope this is somewhat helpful.

LeoNYC · 01-06-2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyctovt

If you can afford to live in the Bergen Beach/Georgetown/Mill Basin areas of Brooklyn I think you will find the schools in this district rank among the best in the city.

I would prefer to live in an area that is closer to Manhattan and is walking distance to the subway station.

What about Dyker Heights? Seems that there are some pretty good elementary and middle schools in that area. For example, IS 201 (Dyker Heights Intermediate School) and IS 259 (William McKinley Educational Center).

motordrive1 · 01-06-2010, 09:47 PM

I was a teacher in Brooklyn for 12 years and worked in one of the best districts when I started teaching;district 22 which is in Flatbush and extends from Manhatten Beach (the best elementary school in my opinion with only 2 classes on the grade but the housu\ing is very expensive) to Ocean Parkway and 18th Ave to about New York Avenue to KIngs Plaza area and into Sheephead Bay. Nearly all of the schools are excellent but I'd stay away from the East New York side of district 22. Midwood, Kensington, Sheepshead Bay, Brighton, and others are places to look. The school districts around Bay Ridge, Borough Park, Bensonhurst and the surrounding areas of districts 21 and 20 should be looked into if being further from Manhatten is not a problem. Rents are more reasonable.

The are s around park slope are very expensive and this has been spreading rapidly to areas that were once very commercial but where building of luxury apartments and condos has been going like gangbusters. Carrol Gardens, not too long ago a less desireable are, has seen tremendous bulding growth along 4th Avenue. The schools have been getting better there but still not up to the aforementioned districts.

Good luck in your search. You can find more info by googling best Brooklyn schools.

BTW, I was a graduate from PS197 in Flatbush and that neighborhood is still great.

motordrive1 · 01-06-2010, 09:50 PM

I wanted to make one more point. I taught in Canarsie from 2004-2005, for a year and a half in District 18, Canarsie. I speak from experience, you DO NOT want to move to Canarsie. Believe me, you don't!

motordrive1 · 01-06-2010, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veve0308

Canarsie Brooklyn has great schools although after middle school you should search else where. This is a family oriented location that is full of private schools and public schools your pick. I live in Canarsie and am across the streets froom one of the schools, you see parents there with their children, very tight community.

Although you might get some people to scare you because it is mostly West Indians that owns these homes, but you'll get a nice two bedroom for $1400 you're close to belt Park Way and depending on where you are the L Train. You'll have suburbs living without the extra money.

Canarsie public transpotation is the pits. Unless you are close to the station on Rockaway Avenue (not the best area) most places have to be accesed by a bus. Nothing is ver close to the subway and the L train leaves a lot to be desired. I taught in the supposedly best elementary school in Canarsie (awful administrators) and I can't recommend one good middle school there and Canarsie HS id among the worst in the city. The lucky kids try to get transfers to Hudde in district 22 and are happy to travel there even though it is time consuming.

EdEx · 10-31-2010, 12:57 PM

Since you've mentioned Gravesend and said that you've immigrated from Eastern Europe I would suggest you Big Apple Academy to consider. It is a school with Russian language inclination (run by Vlad Gorny) and it is really good in every sphere like curriculum, extra-curriculum activities, class size, etc. But this is a private school. Anyway, you can consider it as an option. Here's their website — www.bigappleacademy.com

Hope this could be of help for you!