P.S. 152 Evergreen

PS 152 has long been a popular neighborhood school that has received high marks from the city for its friendly tone, experienced teachers and ability to serve a wide range of students. As of the 2019-2020 school year it is adjusting to new leadership after a long-time leader retired.

Test scores are below average for the city but at or slightly above average for schools serving similar populations. Some children arrive in the middle of the year and some begin kindergarten lacking basic skills.

To help them catch up, PS 152 kids get double periods of math and English daily and have nightly homework. Children may work on math and reading skills in morning and afternoon programs. Kids who need it work on reading using the highly structured Orton-Gillingham multi-sensory approach. 

The many children who live in temporary housing may participate in an afterschool reading club, which includes homework help, reading and writing help and art projects, according to the Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP).

The arts program overall is small during school hours—music for grades 4 and 5 and visual arts for everyone—but more arts are offered during the “project arts morning programs,” including drama, band and dance, according to the Arts in Schools Report.

Pre-k and kindergarten classes are housed in the early childhood building, six long blocks from the main building. High fences surround the playgrounds, which are near the Bruckner Expressway. Both buildings are fully wheelchair accessible.

While the experienced teaching staff says classrooms are orderly, morale is low. The school’s long-time principal retired in 2019. Principal Christine Baez, who served as assistant principal for 13 years, seems to be struggling to gain teachers’ trust, NYC School Surveys show. 

ADMISSIONS:  Neighborhood school.  (Lydie Raschka, web reports, June 2020)