Andries Hudde

IS 240, the Andries Hudde Middle School, has a math and science program created with a federal magnet grant designed to attract children from outside the attendance zone.  Michelle Esposito, formerly an assistant principal at JHS 62 Ditmas in the Kensington neighborhood, was named interim acting principal in 2018.

The school, also called the Magnet School of STEM (for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), gives children a chance to create hands-on projects. For example, students designed and built 3-D cardboard models of imaginary cities as part of the National Future City Competition, according to the school’s website. The designs were required to include “a renewable energy source that could withstand a natural disaster.”

Parents and students have a chance to take part in science activities together at Family STEM night.

Despite the magnet program, the school faces many challenges. The school’s enrollment has steadily decreased in recent years. There are discipline concerns and some students complain of fights and bullying. The previous principal, Gina Votinelli, clashed with staff, according to school surveys.

Andries Hudde was long the site of several gifted programs including one called the Center for the Intellectually Gifted or CIG. However, Hudde now shares a building with a smaller school, IS 381, and the CIG program is part of that school.  

Admissions: The school is open to children from districts 21 and 22, who are chosen at random. In recent years it has had room for any child who wants to attend. (Clara Hemphill, DOE data, March 2019)