The Middle College, often called M.S. 243, will keep at its present location, nonetheless sharing a constructing with P.S. 9 at 100 W. 84th Road. P.S./I.S. 191 and the Manhattan College for Kids (MSC) will even stay at its present location.
Public faculty officers mentioned the proposed modifications, which drew parental backlash all year long, have been withdrawn from scheduled voting on Wednesday on the metropolis’s Panel for Schooling Coverage (PEP), making it extraordinarily unlikely the plans will come to fruition for the subsequent faculty 12 months.
The town’s Division of Schooling (DOE) had been in contact with dad and mom all through 2025 and 2026 concerning the proposed modifications, supposed to deal with points associated to class measurement and scholar enrollment.
However dad and mom urged officers to pause any relocation or closure plans for the colleges till no less than the 2028-2029 faculty 12 months—they usually listened.
Dad and mom and lecturers at P.S. 243 on the Higher West Aspect, which shares a constructing with P.S. 9, at 100 W. 84th St., are outraged and anxious concerning the proposal, which might dismantle a mixed-grade scholar physique of grades 5 to eight and disrupt its curriculum.Photograph through Google Maps
Nicole Brownstein, a spokesperson for NYC Public Colleges, informed New York News that after listening to the neighborhood’s considerations, the company withdrew a few of its proposals from the April 29 PEP agenda.
“We take family and community feedback very seriously and, after careful consideration, we have decided to withdraw some of the proposals from the April 29 PEP agenda,” she mentioned. “Ensuring that every child has access to academically rigorous and truly integrated education remains our focus, and withdrawing these proposals is not an end to these important conversations.”
Dad and mom cited considerations round pick-up and drop-off occasions, curriculum modifications and proximity to public transportation amongst causes for opposing the proposals. They’ve additionally lengthy emphasised the necessity for clear communication and transparency from the DOE.
“We were hopeful and determined to see it through to the bitter end,” she mentioned. “This is not what we anticipated. I’m elated.”
She mentioned she was grateful to Samuels, elected officers and the college communities for recognizing the significance of conserving the colleges intact.
“I truly believe that all of the members of the PEP were listening. They were engaged with every public meeting that we attended. And we attended a lot of them,” Greer mentioned. “I think for all three schools, parents are relieved,” she mentioned.
In the meantime, faculty officers mentioned they continue to be dedicated to listening to folks’ considerations and discovering methods to enhance the training expertise for public faculty college students and households in NYC.
“To our school communities: we heard you,” Brownstein mentioned. “Over the coming months, we’ll continue to partner with our communities to explore how to strengthen family participation around school changes so all of our children can benefit from more advanced coursework, arts programming, and school-wide enrichment activities, while addressing class size and ensuring sustainable enrollment.”
