Get more from InsideSchools

A Message from InsideSchools: The data below is the most up-to-date data available from City and State systems. We are working hard to update the narratives for all schools. We welcome your insights in the Comments section. Questions? Ask us!

P.S. 132 The Conselyea School

Grades: Pre-K, K-5
Staff Pick
320 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn NY 11211
Phone: 718-599-7301

Our Insights

What’s Special

Strong academics and enrichment

The Downside

No gymnasium

Strong leadership, vibrant teaching, excellent arts programs and academic continuity are hallmarks of PS 132. In a rapidly changing neighborhood, the school community embraces children of different races, income levels and academic needs, including those in special education and gifted classes.

Solid wooden doors, neat-as-a-pin classrooms and separate boy and girl lines in the hallway speak to the past, while a purple cafeteria, classroom libraries, bright murals and live Komodo Dragons reflect the school’s progressive bent--and are a draw for the neighborhood’s artsy newcomers. This classic red brick school building hugs a large playground, designed with student input that includes a running track, climbing equipment, basketball hoops and an “art zone.”

Black, white, Latino and Asian parents arrive by bus, on foot and via bike, greeting staff in English or Spanish. A Harvest Festival, a Kite Festival, and band and dance performances bring everyone together. Principal Beth Lubeck said Black history, Hispanic history and talent shows are a few ways the school addresses its ethnic diversity.

The neighborhood includes Polish, Puerto Rican, Dominican, South Asian and North African populations. Rents have skyrocketed since the 1990s as artists, musicians and writers have moved in.

Strong, structured leadership-perhaps a tad off-putting to those parents who’d like more say-may be part of the glue that holds everything together. A concerted effort is made to draw representatives from every group to the parent association. A “Parent University” offers evening classes such as yoga (with childcare) and homework, among other offerings.

Teachers were consistently warm and supportive on the day of our visit. Over the years, staffers have created their own reading program with activities based on books their students enjoy. The school was mentioned in a New York Times article as one of a handful of schools in the city adopting Singapore Math, with its emphasis on mastering each concept before moving on, after dissatisfaction with the Everyday Math program that the city had previously mandated. Students use a self-paced computer program for some lessons.  

This school enjoys above average test scores without resorting to a narrow focus on test-prep. Prolific writing samples line the hallways. Samples are neat, with indented paragraphs, accurate punctuation and grammar. Children in gifted classes tend to write longer pieces but otherwise everyone tackles similar material. 

The enterprising music teacher leads two bands and a joyful, focused recorder class. He takes his senior band on the road, performing in local events and parades, even Carnegie Hall. A Ta Da! teaching artist looked equally skilled as she prepared kids for a performance of Peter Pan. A dance teacher demonstrated African dance moves in a makeshift gym. Torn paper collage and watercolor landscapes from art classes decorate the hallways.

Some clubs require auditions or applications, like film, video, robotics and band, while others are open to all. In Cookshop, K-2 students learn to prepare food, while grades 3-5 help maintain a rooftop garden in Greenpoint, growing potatoes, basil and tomatoes. They also tend chickens.

Unfortunately, there is no gymnasium, only a multi-use “performance space” with padded pillars, a stage and folding chairs against one wall. Children go outside for sports in the spring and have some physical activities in the classrooms.

A variety of after school activities are offered two days a week and, for those participating in enrichment classes, or band, up to four days a week.

Special education: The school offers both self-contained classes (for special needs children only) and team-teaching classes (that mix general ed and special ed children in classes with two teachers. The children seemed unusually upbeat and happy in the classes we saw, and the quality of their writing was strong.

Admissions: PS 132 is a neighborhood school, but if there is room, some children from outside the zone are admitted to pre-kindergarten. For grades K-5, all children on the waiting list usually get in. (Lydie Raschka, January 2013)

Read more

School Stats

Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average

Is this school safe and well-run?

From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey

How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
86%
82% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
0%
1% Citywide Average

From this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Are teachers effective?

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
90%
84% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
19.1

How do students perform academically?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many elementary school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
71%
53% Citywide Average
How many elementary school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
72%
50% Citywide Average

What is the Pre-K like?

From the NYC Program Assessment (CLASS and ECERS-R) Database through 2019-2020

Instruction: Teachers ask kids to explain their reasoning when they solve problems
Activities: Children explore art, music, sand/water, dramatic play and more
Language: Teachers talk and listen to kids in a supportive way
Interaction: Teachers ask kids good questions and invite back-and-forth conversation

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
580
Asian
9%
Black
13%
Hispanic
32%
White
43%
Other
3%
Free or reduced priced lunch
40%
Students with disabilities
13%
English language learners
6%
Pre-K seats
72

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
91%
90% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
34%
40% Citywide Average

From the 2020 School Directories

This school offers Dual Language classes in Italian.

How does this school serve special populations?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
20%
30% Citywide Average
How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
30%
23% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
0%
21% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
0%
12% Citywide Average


For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Contact & Location

Location

Williamsburg (District 14)
Trains: L Line to Graham Ave; G Line to Metropolitan Ave-Lorimer St
Buses: B24, B43, B48, B60, Q54, Q59

Contact

Principal
Beth Lubeck
Parent Coordinator
Yvonne Bach

Other Details

Shared campus?
No
This school is in its own building.

Zone for the 2019-2020 school year. Call school to confirm.

Was this information helpful?

Get more from InsideSchools

You may also like …

P.S. 16 Leonard Dunkly

157 Wilson Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211

P.S. 17 Henry D. Woodworth

208 North 5th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Comments

  • Is this your school? Please post any news, updates, events, changes, or other information!
  • We welcome questions, open discussions, and disagreements but comments with personal attacks, rude language, or those with seemingly malicious intent will be deleted.
  • Very long comments, those that contain links, or repeat comments may be blocked by our spam filter.
  • Problems? email us at contact@insideschools.org.
  • Users must comply with our Terms of Use.

×