I. S. 381

A tiny school housed in a large middle school building, MS 381 has a challenging curriculum, effective teachers, and a well-regarded principal. MS 381 has two programs—the Center for Intellectually Gifted (CIG) and the Center for Science, Math & Computer Science—open to children from across District 22.

Parents says teachers go the extra mile, calling home if children have forgotten their homework or staying after school to meet parents, according to the city’s evaluation of the school called the Quality Review. Lessons are engaging and student work reflects “high levels of student thinking, participation and ownership,” the evaluation said.

The school is part of a pilot designed to increase the number of black and Latino students at the city’s specialized high schools. Beginning in 7th grade, students may participate in a free after-school test prep class and may take the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) at their school, during the school day (rather than on the weekend at one of the high schools).

The school’s small size allows teachers and administrators to get to know children well, a benefit compared to a larger school, one parent told InsideSchools. Teachers give principal Victoria Hippolyte Agard high marks on school surveys and unanimously recommend the school to parents.

One drawback to the size: the school has a full-time art teacher, but no music, drama or dance teachers, according to the Annual Arts in Schools report. However, a community organization called Sports and Arts in School Foundations offers free after-school programs to all students, according to the middle school directory.

MS 381 shares a building with Andres Hudde Middle School, also known as IS 240 Magnet School of STEM.

Admissions: District 22 school choice. Students are admitted to the CIG program based on their grades, test scores and attendance. Students are admitted at random to the Center for Math, Science & Computer Science. (Clara Hemphill, DOE data, March 2019)