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M.S. 442 Carroll Gardens School for Innovation

Grades: 6-8
Staff Pick Staff Pick for Special Ed
500 19th Street
Brooklyn NY 11215
Phone: 718-222-6420

Our Insights

What’s Special

Two teachers in each class; children with disabilities integrated into all classes

The Downside

Has dedicated space in building, but shares a floor with pre-k classrooms

MS 442, School for Innovation is a welcoming place with engaging academics and a carefully thought-out plan to integrate children with disabilities in all classes. In a city that’s often segregated by race and class, MS 442 has a mix of Black, white, Hispanic and Asian children, as well as children from families of different income levels.

Each class has two teachers, one certified in special education, who do a good job serving a broad range of students—from struggling to advanced learners. All students enjoy an array of arts and extra-curricular activities.

Having two teachers in the room ensures that all students get attention. When one teacher is leading a lesson, the other may be working with an individual. When students are working in groups or completing an assignment, both teachers circulate the room, fielding questions or sitting in on student-led discussions.

Teachers use a “mastery-based” approach to instruction. Rather than getting a traditional numerical grade on a test or assignment, students are given feedback on a range of skills they’re required to learn that year.

The idea is that students get multiple chances to learn skills and they get full credit for each one they master, whether they do so in October or January. At the end of the school year, each student’s record of skills achievement (both mastered and still needing improvement) is converted into a numerical grade.

Several times each week, students break up into small groups called “intensives,” tailored to their skill levels, so, for instance, students strong in math may work together on advanced topics while others may get the extra help they need. Teachers re-evaluate their students’ progress regularly, and it’s common for students to switch “intensives” several times throughout the year.

Each student is given a laptop computer to use throughout the school day, though the degree to which they rely on computers varies by lesson and class. For instance in math classes we observed, the teacher was modeling an equation on an interactive white board at the front of the classroom as the students jotted down notes with pencil on paper; in an English class we visited, students were writing on their individual computers, drafting character essays and outlining scripts for podcasts that they were to record with audio software and present later in the week.

All students take classes in Spanish, music, art and technology, where they learn computer coding and design. By 8th grade some students take high school level courses in earth science and algebra.

Through a partnership with the Brooklyn-based BEAM Lab, MS 442 created a Maker Lab where students design and build things from scratch. When we visited the lab, students were busy stripping and soldering wires to create electrical circuits to insert in their custom-made boom boxes.

Students put on an annual play such as Annie, Fame, The Music Man, Alice in Wonderland, and Hairspray with the Broadway Junior program. There are a range of after-school activities such as sports, robotics, Double Dutch, gaming and drumming.

MS 442 is housed in the former Bishop Ford Catholic High School, a massive building that it shares with a pre-kindergarten center and BUGS Charter School. Each school has its own dedicated space in the building, though MS 442 is spread across two floors, one of which it shares the pre-k classrooms.

Sixth-graders may leave the building for lunch once a week; 7th-and 8th-graders go out for lunch twice a week.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: MS 442 students with special needs outperform the citywide average on state exams. All classes follow the ICT (integrated co-teaching) model with two teachers (one certified in special education) serving a mix of general education and students with special needs  There are two ASD Nest classes per grade where children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) learn alongside general education students. ASD Nest students also attend small group support sessions that focus on social and developmental skills.

ADMISSIONS: As part of a district-wide equity plan, all District 15 middle schools use an open admissions method with priority for 52 percent of seats going to students from low-income households (who qualify for the federal free and reduced-price lunch program), students in temporary housing, and English Language Learners. There are no “screens” for admission. To learn more about the D15 Diversity Plan, visit d15diversityplan.com. (Laura Zingmond, December 2018)

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School Stats

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

Is this school safe and well-run?

From the 2022-2023 NYC School Survey

How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
87%
78% Citywide Average
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
46%
59% Citywide Average
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
100%
84% Citywide Average
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
96%
82% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
1%
4% Citywide Average

From this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Are teachers effective?

From 2023 End-of-year Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Report

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
81%
80% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
8.1

How do students perform academically?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
84%
46% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
79%
51% Citywide Average

From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide

How many 8th-graders earn high school credit?
97%
89% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
344
Asian
7%
Black
8%
Hispanic
30%
White
47%
Other
7%
Free or reduced priced lunch
40%
Students with disabilities
31%
English language learners
1%

From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
94%
91% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
17%
34% Citywide Average

From the 2020 School Directories

Uniforms required?
No

How does this school serve special populations?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
0%
15% Citywide Average


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

Contact & Location

Location

Windsor Terrace (District 15)
Trains: F Line, G Line to 15th St-Prospect Park
Buses: B61, B63, B67, B68, B69

Contact

Principal
Noreen Mills
Parent Coordinator
Maria Egan Pagan

Other Details

Shared campus?
Yes
This school shares the building with two pre-k programs
Uniforms required?
No
Metal detectors?
No

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