Very few schools have reason to take pride in a so-called "mini-building," but the annex for kindergarten and 1st grade at PS 9 is, in many ways, more attractive than the main building. Erected in 1998, the pre-fabricated building is immaculately maintained and cheerfully decorated. The assistant principal in charge of lower grades has her office on site, and an extra lunchroom means pupils need not travel to the main building to eat. Each classroom has its own bathroom as well. The result is a small, cozy school within a school.

"The reduced class size is how I use my money that is allocated ... based on student population," says Principal Denise Eggleston. "My intentions are to maintain the low class size ratio in... read more