Schools in Crown Heights

Does anyone have any information about good schools -- public, private, or charter -- in Crown Heights or any of the surrounding neighborhoods? Specifically, I am interested in learning about elementary schools, but any information more generally would be appreciated.

Insideschools.org is great resource.

St. Mark's Day School on Brooklyn and President is one the neighbors speak highly of.

There is a KIPP charter school deeper into the neighborhood (on Park around Albany I think). Its a middle school and this is its first year of operation however the program has a really good reputation both for schools here in NYC and around the country.

Thanks for the responses!!

If you are looking at elementary, try Wiliston Academy. Its not in CH, but close by in Bed Stuy (Claver Place & Jefferson). My sister sent my nephew there for pre-school and a number of friends have had their kids there and they swear by it.

Insideschools.org is a great resource, which is a site I've been living by these days.

That said, do any parents out there know how to circumvent the whole zoning thing? I have been on a painstaking apt-search, and as much as I've adored my little haven on Dean St., the owner's coming back, so I have to move. *SIGH* Since real-estate inventory seems low in CHN, I've been looking at Bed-Stuy, which I'm told does have better schools--particularly PS 3. However, the apt. I'm considering on Tompkins & Jefferson is a mere two blocks east of that school zone. I know I won't be able to afford to send my daughter to a private pre-school ($15K to fingerpaint? No thank you!), so a decent public school that offers pre-K is my only hope.

Can anyone offer some tips/advice?

TIA

hi solamami
i hate to break it you like this, but in terms of pre-K is very hard to get into a school that you are not zoned for because there aren't many spaces available. For Kindergarten is easier, there are schools that take kids outside their zone (PS169 in Carrol Gardens takes a few kids out of zone)
You can always get an apartment in a "good" zone, and then move once your kid is in the school (it's not "legal" but i think that a lot of people do it, or you can use a friend's address)


good luck!

EG

kenieva wrote: You can always get an apartment in a "good" zone, and then move once your kid is in the school (it's not "legal" but i think that a lot of people do it, or you can use a friend's address)

The friend's address thing isn't legal, although people certainly do it. Having a place in the zone, and then moving, however, is totally legal and aboveboard. In NYC once the child legally starts at a school, is allowed to remain at that school regardless of where he lives, providing outside transport for the child is arranged.

The school on president and Brooklyn should be fine

Subject: PS 241

Consider P.S. 241 on President Street between Franklin & Clausen. It is very close to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, as well as the museum, library, Guider Park playground, and even the Prospect Park zoo & bike paths.

It's nice that PS 241 is near all that stuff, but I'm guessing that what happens AT the school is most parents' (and students') main concern. Just read the write up of 241 at insideschools.org and it sounds fairly awful. Don't think I'd a kid there if I had a choice.

What about the Jewish schools? 10 in all in the neighborhood

If you have info on them, post it.