P.S. 165 Edith K. Bergtraum

PS 165 is a safe, well-run school that offers music and and dance, a district-wide Gifted and Talented (G&T) program, and an ASD Nest program for children with autism spectrum disorders. 

The school has a healthy mix of arts, and enrichment in every grade, ranging from Lego Robotics to Tae Kwon do. Second graders learn to swim at Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatic Center. 

Teachers do a good job challenging top students while giving struggling students the support they need. While the G&T classes are large, the ASD Nest classes are small by design, with only 12 students in kindergarten, and about 15 in the upper grades, and two teachers; participating ASD students learn alongside their general education peers. 

Principal Tiffany Davis–Nealy was drawn to PS 165 because of its diversity when she took the helm in 2016. “I really value the diversity of thought, of race, of religion,” she said. “It’s wonderful to see so many people come together.” 

A long-time educator and former staff developer at Teachers College, Columbia University, Nealy described the school as a “wonderful mix,” of newcomers to the United States, from China and Afghanistan, second and third generation Americans, African Americans and Hispanics, and teachers and parents who are PS 165 alumni. 

The school intentionally welcomes families by hosting coffee and conversation with the principal, and monthly “First Fridays,” during which parents are invited to sit in on lessons. In the “crossroads café,” parents learning English come together to socialize and study English with the parent coordinator. PS 165 has active Twitter and Facebook accounts. “We have been very intentional in making every parent feel welcome,” Nealy said. 

A couple downsides: While the building can hold up to 1,000, and classes are not crowded, the small cafeteria makes it necessary to hold three lunch periods, the earliest at 10:15 a.m. Those children have snack later in the day.

Students currently play in a big, open NYC Parks Department playground but Nealy said “we would love to have equipment, and ground that is even and settled.” She has been in discussion with local politicians to make it a reality, she said.

Special education: The school offers an ICT (integrated co-teaching) class on every grade level and several "self contained" classes for kids with special needs only. The school is "barrier free" and there are large rooms for children needing occupational therapy. This school also hosts an ASD Nest Program for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

Admissions: PS 165 is a zoned neighborhood school. Admission to the gifted program is according to education department standards. PS 165 has taken in students from nearby schools that had wait lists for kindergarten in recent years. (Lydie Raschka, web reports and interview, April 2019)