About Us

Vision Statement

PS 205 is dedicated to the belief that all children have a right to learn and can learn in an environment that provides a balance of a rigorous and culturally responsive academic curriculum, enrichment through the arts and technology while being supported socially and emotionally. It is our vision that provided with the appropriate tools, the students of PS 205 will become independent lifelong learners that will contribute to society.

Mission Statement

It is our mission to ensure that all students are given a quality education that will serve as their solid foundation to their future success. The school community consisting of staff members, teachers and community members will work together as a team to provide a balance of a rigorous and culturally responsive academic curriculum, enrichment through the arts and technology while  supporting every child both socially and emotionally to ensure that every student reaches their potential and beyond in an inclusive, safe and supportive environment.

Non-negotiable Bottom Lines

1. Work with engaging and culturally inclusive texts that feature big ideas and rich content with a focus on the use of targeted vocabulary to build language and knowledge through discussions and use of textual based evidence.

2. Use mathematical practices so students can make sense of problems and persevere in solving them through explanation of their thinking using mathematical terminology.

3. Provide an inclusive environment so that all children are supported academically, socially and emotionally.

4. To participate in data inquiry teams to analyze student work products to discern students’ strengths and weaknesses and refine/improve instruction based on the findings compiled during analysis.

ELA

Reading and Writing: HMH Into Reading and HMH Into Writing

As we teach each module from HMH Into Reading, we will send home parent letters with background information about each module.

Math

Math practices and lessons are taught using Illustrative Math (IM) as well as lessons created based on the Next Generation Learning Standards. Lessons include reteach and enrichment via the approach of Launch, Explore, Summarize.  Students are grouped by need based on assessment results.  The math curriculum is vertically aligned from grade to grade. There is a focus on fluency, number sense as well as a deep understanding through application with real world problem solving. Teachers spend time daily on number sense routines and weekly “pit” problems.

SEL (Social Emotional Learning)

We do daily check-ins through the Same Here Global app. SEL lessons are embedded into the HMH modules in ELA.

ENL

All of the ENL students are serviced through the Integrated Model. Every grade has an ENL teacher assigned to their grade who services the children while either teaching side by side with the classroom teacher while providing supports for the ENL students or teaching the ENL students the same lesson with additional supports and scaffolds to meet their language needs.

Phonics/Word Study

 Grades K-3 follow Reading Reform which is an Orton Gillingham based approach. Grades 4 and 5 follow a word study program based upon lessons from Orton Gillingham building up from Grade 3. 

Grades K-2 use Heggerty, a fast, fun and effective daily lesson which delivers explicit instruction in critical phonemic awareness and early literacy skills.     

Science

Amplify Science is used in grades K-5.

Social Studies

Passport to Social Studies is used in Grades K-5.

Arts

The arts are alive at P. S. 205! We support the arts with two full-time visual arts teacher, and 3 full-time music teachers.

We have a chorus, beginner & intermediate violins, and advanced string orchestra. In addition, a band & newly formed jazz band. Many students learn to play the recorder, bells, keyboard, and guitar.

Our fifth grade learns Ballroom Dance with Dancing Classrooms. Marquis Studios’ and Inside Broadway residents work with the classroom teacher, providing a variety of Art residencies throughout the school year with Grades K-5.

STEM

We have a full time STEM cluster teacher and a STEM/Library teacher. All students participate in STEM instruction weekly. We use technology strategically and capably. Students employ technology to enhance their learning and acquire information.

All classrooms have interactive whiteboards. Students use iPads and Laptops. Every classroom is set up with a google classroom link.

Special School Initiatives Unique to P.S. 205

• Departmentalization

• Organization for ENL’s- Integrated Model

• Mindfulness- Same Here Global app and books to support

• Push-in AIS

• G&T Project Based Learning

• Marquis Studios for each grade

• Enrichment Clubs

• Partnership Fridays

• Book of the Month

• Kindness Initiative

We have a chorus, beginner & intermediate violins, and advanced string orchestra. In addition, a band & newly formed jazz band. Many students learn to play the recorder, bells, keyboard, and guitar.

Our fifth grade learns Ballroom Dance with Dancing Classrooms. Marquis Studios’ residents work with the classroom teacher, providing a variety of Art residencies throughout the school year with Grades K-5.

All classrooms have interactive whiteboards. Students use iPads and Laptops. All kindergarten classes have a Smart table and dash and dot bots for coding. Our G & T students in grades 3-5 have an NAO robot. All students have access to online coding programs. Students use iPads and Laptops regularly.

PS 205 offers a wide range of after-school programming for our students. We are always trying to match the best programs with our students!

We usually offer – band, chorus, orchestra, different enrichment clubs, ENL/ELA/Math Academy.

We also host the Brooklyn Chinese-American Association (BCA) After School Program. They offer a free program that includes homework help, afternoon snack, and other program activities. It is open to all PS 205 students. Please contact us if you are interested.