The Urban Assembly Unison School is a new middle school with an experienced leader and a commitment to parent involvement. Teachers make home visits and invite parents on field trips such as an overnight trip to an outdoor education center. The school, opened with a 6^th grade in fall 2012, shares space with PS 56.

Principal Jennifer Ostrow, former assistant principal of the Urban Assembly Harbor School, says she hopes to bring the “adventurous spirit and love for creativity and learning” for which the Harbor school is known. The Urban Assembly, a nonprofit organization, has developed a track record for opening small, innovative, theme-based middle and secondary schools.

The inspiration for the Urban Assembly Unison School came from the work of New York University Professor Cynthia McCallister, who pioneered a practice called “unison reading.” Working closely with a successful Manhattan school, PS/MS 126, McAllister introduced this structured, yet hands-on method of teaching reading. “Her instructional model is the best one I have seen,” said Ostrow.

In unison reading, students of different levels “read aloud in synch but stop when they have an ‘huh?’ or ‘ahah’ moment,” said Ostrow. “The slower readers do better when reading with a social group and the more proficient readers improve their skills when they stop to explain to others.” In class, students alternate between group activities (such as unison reading), working independently on projects or one to one conferences with the teacher. (Photo on this page from the Urban Assembly website.)

Satellite III middle school, also sharing the PS 56 building, is phasing out and will close by 2014.

Special education: Integrated co-teaching classes are offered. Ostrow says she welcomes students with IEPS and those learning to speak English.

Admissions: Priority goes to District 13 students who attend a fair or information session. (Pamela Wheaton, interviews, March 2012)