The Elementary School for Math, Science and Technology is one of two new elementary schools opening at 125 E. 181st Street as PS 79 begins a three-year phase out in the fall of 2008. Founding Principal Avon Connell-Cowell said the school will focus on teaching students to be "capable of succeeding in the 21st century." Opening with kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades only, the school will grow by a class each year to become a K-5th grade school.

In Connell-Cowell's view, students who will succeed in the 21st century are those who are educated in an "inquiry-based" learning environment that stresses practical uses of technology. Among the technological features of the Elementary School for Math, Science and Technology will be Smartboards in all first- and second-grade classrooms and laptop computers, with which students will learn to blog, send e-mails, and work on research projects for their classes. All students will participate in quarterly science fairs, the principal said.

The school will share the building with the School for Environmental Citizenship, another new elementary school, and PS 79, which will close after the 2010-2011 school year.

Special education services: In its first year, the school will offer a 2nd grade class for students with special-needs.

Admission: Students zoned for PS 79 will be eligible to attend the Elementary School for Math, Science and Technology (Tanner Kroeger, July 2008)