Long known as a school with a strong humanities program and outstanding performing arts, MS 51 draws many of District 15's highest-achieving students. The pride of the school is its "talent" program. Students take four periods a week (usually two double periods) of visual art, photography, instrumental music, chorus, drama, dance, or Show Choir during their three years of middle school. Students by and large are well-mannered and enthusiastic, and classes buzz with purposeful conversation and activity. The school's very high attendance rate is one sign of how much students love MS 51.

For years, parents have complained that math and science classes take a back seat to the arts and humanities. Now, a new principal, Lenore Berner, who worked as a science specialist and assistant principal at the newly-invigorated IS 88, is working to make math and science as challenging as the school's other offerings. Berner, who became principal in early 2007, said she asked Brooklyn Tech Principal Randy Asher for advice on how to ramp up the science and math at MS 51. Now, about one-third of the 7th graders are doing accelerated work; the same fraction of the 8th grade class will take the 9th grade math Regents exam. In science, 7th graders will take a test to determine whether they can take Regents-level Living Environment (generally taught in the 9th grade); the principal expects that about one-third of students will qualify. A 2006 grant permitted the school to upgrade its science facilities, with new tables, computers, scopes and cameras.

Character education is another of Berner's priorities. Monthly assemblies focus on themes like the responsibilities of citizenship, respect, and courage. Assistant Principal Nance Speth coordinates an active community service program. For example, 8th graders work one-on-one with elementary school children, helping them read.

Hallways are bursting with student work. Photographs from recent productions line the wall near the drama room's black box rehearsal space, where students were intently reciting monologues on the day we visited. That sense of abundance carries into the classrooms as well, with ample books and supplies. Some rooms feature cozy couches and seating areas for conversation. In a collaborative team teaching (CTT) math class, an energetic teacher worked hard to recap the previous day's homework. Students in the CTT classes, which integrate general and special-needs students with two certified teachers, have the chance to forge solid relationships, as enrollment stays consistent through all three years that students attend MS 51.

Because it has a tiny cafeteria, the school has an open lunch policy which students adore and parents say can get pricey. Students go to sandwich shops and pizzerias on Fifth Avenueand run off extra energy in the city park next door. "The whole school spills out at 12 o'clock," says Berner. "It's like a parade." In inclement weather, students may opt to stay in school, in the auditorium or cafeteria, although many elect to brave the elements. But "everybody comes back after lunch," says Berner.

MS 51 routinely send graduates to the specialized exam high schools and to Beacon, Bard, Midwood, and Telecommunications; as well as arts-intensive schools including LaGuardia and Murrow.

Special education: Five self-contained classrooms; students, who are placed at MS 51 by the district, participate in arts and second language study with mainstream students. There are three CTT classes, one per grade.

ESL: About one dozen students receive English language instruction.

After-school programs: Numerous teams, clubs, arts groups and activities. The school's Show Choir has traveled to California to perform; drama students have visited Scotland, and have welcomed Scottish exchange students to Brooklyn. After-school test prep is ongoing for the science high school exam in September and October; ELA, starting in December; and math exams, beginning in January. An unusually extensive Kaplan program gives 7th graders 10 weeks of science-high-school test prep, followed up with three weeks in the early part of 8th grade.

Admissions: Restricted to students who attend District 15 elementary schools. Students must have test scores of at least 660 on the 4th grade ELA and math tests. Applicants are also asked to provide a copy of their 4th- and 5th-grade report cards and a writing sample; applicants also undergo a brief interview. There are many more applicants than seats available. Students who have been offered a place may rank their choices for "talent" classes.

This school is featured in New York City's Best Public Middle Schools. (Helen Zelon, December 2007)

My child is a 8th grader at MS 51. She has had a great experience at this school. The teachers are young,have great ideas and care about the kids. My child has been to Jamacia with the dance teacher Julie Klein. She is the best. The academics exceed my expectations. Some 7th grade classes and all 8th grade classes take Algebra or Math A. The kids love the school. My child and I will miss MS 51.

"The 7th grade AP math is quite good. The teacher is full of mathematical knowledge and all that good stuff. The ELA (English) program is quite good, although you don't really think that at the time. There are some quite objectionable teachers in the 7th grade Sci department, but at least they're efficient. I am in chorus and show choir, which is great fun. We sing (obviously)and are one of the two almost undisputed top talent programs-along with Drama. The fact that students can do drama, chorus, art, photography, dance, and band is a real boon because you get only those who are keen on singing or whatever. Another great boon is the outdoor lunch. It is like a parade when we file out to eat. You can bring lunch and I choose either to wander through the park, sit in the park, or work my way up the student ranks in the traditional way-popularity. THis relaxes me and the other students. Also, we can do HW we forgot to do. The downsides are:Some teachers in 7th grade science and SS are bad."

A student writes, "I transferred here from my other school and it is great! The teachers and students are great. There are cliques but alot of kids will let you hang out with them if you just ask them. The teachers are also nice. Especially Ms. Shelton, Ms. Messenger, Ms. Vissa, and a couple of others." Responding to a previous comment about the school, she writes: "Yes, you do have to stick up for yourself, and yes there are a couple of mean and horrible kids at MS 51 but those type of kids are everywhere and sooner or later you will have to stand up and defend yourself ... ." She also notes that the students are tolerant of each others' personal styles when it comes to dress, and says when she first transferred a couple of students stuck by her and showed her around. (June 2004)

The parent of a graduating 8th grader reports that the strong and popular assistant principal in charge of language arts, Kerry Decker, is leaving the school to become principal of PS/IS 126 The Jacob Riis School in Manhattan's District 1. She reports that the photography program has suffered since the retirement of the longtime photography teacher at the end of 2002-03 school year and that there is no longer a puppetry program. (June 2004)An 8th grader writes that the school is "competitive" and "challenging" but "a very good school," and says she feels "very well prepared for high school." She writes, "The teachers are excellent and (for the most part) very knowledgeable about their subjects, but also very nice people. ... The math program in general is not fabulous, however, this was the first year that Math A, a high school math class, is being taught to advanced placement honors 8th graders and that has made a HUGE difference! The Science, English, and Social Studies departments are phenomenal and the Drama Department is by far the BEST DEPARTMENT IN THE WHOLE SCHOOL!" She praises her drama instructor, Mr. McEneny, and notes that "this year, over 12 drama kids got into LaGuardia!" She adds, "Just to correct previous comments, French is being taught to all grades except the class of 2005." (June 2004)

A parent whose 7th grader "loves the school" writes, "Show choir is amazing--she loves rehearsal and the trips, I love the shows. We have never known an instance of bullying and we love the diversity of the student body. (Those who refer to bullying seem to be from previous years). Math has improved tremendously this year -- she has a wonderful math teacher and is learning pre-algebra as well as other 'stuff.'" (May 2004)

"The school may have a nice and happy feeling when you read its description, but the kids there aren't [all they are] cracked up to be; you have to be rough to be able to defend yourself. It's hard to be a kid and do well in school at the same time here. If you're easily intimidated, don't come here," she writes. She adds, "As an 8th grader, you have to study a lot to get anywhere& It's easy to get bullied or picked on if you're quiet. The science teachers and English teachers are really nice, though." (May 2004)

An 8th grader "can't say enough about 51," commenting, among other things, that a study course at the school gave students excellent preparation for the Stuyvesant test. The space is comfortable and the assistant principal particularly helpful. "My homeroom teacher is like my second mom, and I know I'm not the only one who feels that way," the student goes on, adding that teachers keep classes interesting. The drama program offers an "amazing sense of community," but the school as a whole feels like a community, too: "No one doesn't have a friend." (January 2004)