PS 273 is a new elementary school opening in District 27 in September, 2010.  Located in Richmond Hills, PS 273 will draw students from a newly established zone. For its inaugural year, the school will open with full and half-day pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade classes.  It will expand by one grade per year until it reaches its target capacity of 380 students in grades pre-K through 5.

In a telephone interview with Insideschools, founding principal, Brenda Ward said that all students will benefit from a partnership with istation.com, an online academic support program for math and English.  According to Ward, students will spend 30 minutes each day logged on to the program to work on activities tailored to their specific abilities.  "What's great is it serves as both an intervention and an enrichment program, depending upon the student's level of skill," said Ward. 

Prior to becoming principal of PS 273, Ward supervised several schools' use of a highly-structured literacy curriculum funded by, Reading First, a federal grant that supports teaching methods approved under the No Child Left Behind law.

PS 273 will open in a new building.  The facilities include a library and a multipurpose room that will function as a gymnasium and auditorium.  Ward said that she "anticipates" classrooms being equipped with smartboards and at least two computers. 

English as a second language:  PS 273 will serve English language learners, but a final decision regarding the types of support and class settings was not made as of the date of the interview. "I anticipate having students who are learning English because we're located in a very diverse community," said Ward.

Special education:  PS 273 will serve students with special needs, but a final decision regarding class settings was not made as of the date of interview.

Admissions:  Priority will be given to students residing in the school's zone. For applications and further details contact PS273@gmail.com. (Laura Zingmond, telephone interview, March 2010).