Van Siclen Community Middle School

Students learn by doing at Van Siclen Community Middle School, tackling projects based on real world issues. The school offers a range of sports and extra curricular activities, such as band, computer coding media, violin, video production and dance. Every student in the school is assigned a mentor— either a teacher or staffer at the school.

Overall, the school gets high marks for its environment, based on survey responses. Teachers say the school is orderly and would recommend it to families; students say the feel safe and report bullying at lower rates than the citywide average.

Teachers also give founding principal, Adonna McFarland high marks for her leadership. Prior to taking the helm at Van Siclen, McFarland taught at PS 309 and Walt Whitman Middle School.

However, challenges persist. Attendance is low and many students miss more than 18 days each year. Test scores fall below the citywide and district averages. 

Students with good grades and scores may take high school level courses in 8th grade including living environment and algebra.

Van Siclen is housed in the former IS 166 building. It shares the facilities with Achievement First Linden Elementary School and the UFT Charter High School.

ADMISSIONS: Priority to zoned students, though the school typically has space for students from across District 19.  (Laura Zingmond, web reports, May 2019; photo from school's website)