The DOE is making significant changes in two UWS schools, proposing to remove middle school grades at Riverside School for Makers and Artists and phase out grades at Manhattan School for Children by 2028.
This comes two months after the Department of Education reversed course on the plans to close another middle school on the Upper West Side, where parents say they believe the reason was because of an alleged racist comment made by a parent during a viral Zoom call of a community education council meeting. Officials cite enrollment and budget challenges for these two schools, yet parents worry about the impact on their school’s unique models, especially for students with disabilities. A public hearing was held to address these concerns on April 13, with a final vote expected April 29. Emma Barnett reports.
Question: Why does the DOE want to change schools?
Answer: The Department of Education (DOE) is proposing these changes primarily due to declining enrollment and budget challenges . According to the video, the DOE suggests that these measures, such as truncating middle school grades, are an attempt to make schools more robust rather than leaving them as underenrolled or underperforming institutions
Question: What makes Manhattan School for Children special?
Answer: The Manhattan School for Children is described as a unique school in the context of the proposed changes for several reasons: Community Rebuilding: Although the school has faced declining enrollment over the last five years, parents contend that a new leader is currently in the process of rebuilding the school’s community and standing
Accessibility: A parent interviewed in the video highlights that the school building is one of the only fully accessible schools in District 3, specifically noting that it accommodates students who use power chairs . Unique Educational Model: While the Department of Education suggests that students could attend other schools located within the same building, parents argue that those alternatives do not replicate the unique educational philosophy of the Manhattan School for Children (0:42-0:48).
Question: Did RSMA get help for new students?
Answer: Parents state that the Riverside School for Makers and Artists (RSMA) received 500 migrant students over a period of three years, but they contend that the Department of Education did not provide the necessary resources to support them (1:29 – 1:37). In a statement, the DOE responded by asserting that it took deliberate steps to expand support for the school
