Open to students from across the district, River East is a tiny school with small classes and a warm sense of community. “Everybody knows everybody,” says Principal Rob Catlin, who took over in 2011. Every Friday, parents are invited to a school-wide town meeting where children make presentations about what they are learning in class. The school has lots of activities including ceramics, swimming (at Asphalt Green), dance and violin.

Founded in 1982 as an alternative school modeled on Central Park East, River East has evolved over the years. For example, it no longer has “bridge” classes that combine kindergarten and first grades. While teachers still encourage students to explore their own interests, there is a renewed focus on mastering basic skills and preparing for standardized tests. While the school is still open to children from across the district and even the city, most students come from the immediate area.

Near the East River and a long walk from the nearest subway, River East shares a building (including a cafeteria, gym and auditorium) with PS 206. It has a large playground with two play structures, basketball courts, a baseball diamond and a track. Every classroom has a Smart Board and there is a laptop cart for students’ research projects.

In the classrooms we observed, students were working diligently at desks pushed together to create small groups or at communal tables. Students have book bins and in the lower grades there are small play areas such as a kitchen or dress-up space. The atmosphere was calm and quiet. Administrators do not use the intercom to make announcements and students seemed well-behaved and attentive.

The Parent Teacher Association holds workshops about healthy cooking, knitting and other subjects. The PTA also arranges for parents to visit classes.

Special education: More than half the teachers have been trained in special education and a few are bilingual. Special education students are integrated into general education classes taught by two teachers. There are no pull-out, or self-contained, special education classes.

Admissions: The school offers regular tours for prospective parents. A lottery for admissions is held in the spring. Children who live in District 4 and siblings of current pupils get priority. (Nikki Dowling, March 2012)