I.S. 093 Ridgewood

Built in 1917, IS 93 is a large neighborhood school that has served generations of new immigrants to the Ridgewood section of Queens.  Thirty-two languages are spoken; roughly half the students speak Spanish at home. Families come from Poland, China, Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic, according to the school website.

In 2017, the school opened a Spanish dual language program, in which even numbers of Spanish and English speakers learn side-by-side in one class so they can learn from each other. The bilingual teacher alternates speaking in English and Spanish. The goal is to learn to listen, speak, read, and write in both languages. 

The school also offers computer science, robotics and sustainability programs. Students participate in music (including instrumental music), drama, visual arts and dance during school hours. The on-site after school Beacon program offers sports, arts and many other activities.

For top students, the school offers Regents-level Earth Science and algebra in the 8th grade, in addition to advanced Italian and Spanish.

A wing constructed in 1998 replaced the school yard, according to the school website. In 2018, construction began to add an elevator and make the building fully accessible. 

Special education: More than 200 students receive special education services, either in "self-contained" classes or in team-taught classes that mix special needs with general education students.

Admissions:  Zoned neighborhood school. Unscreened program chosen by lottery, open to students and residents of District 24. Dual language Spanish program with preference to heritage language speakers of the target language. (Lydie Raschka, web reports, February 2019)