The Small School Appeal

For many parents, the thought of their 11-year-old navigating the halls of a big zoned middle school is enough to send them seeking other options. Luckily for them, there are two strong small-school choices for Bayside students.

Bell Academy, which shares a building with in Bayside, has just over 300 students. The staff is exceedingly proud of receiving an "A" on the Department of Education Progress Report for 2009-10.

First preference for admission is given to P.S. 169 students, and after that, empty seats are filled via lottery.

Bell follows the Renzulli Schoolwide Enrichment Model, which fosters the gifts and talents of all students, explains Enrichment Coordinator Melinda Spataro. It stresses hands-on learning and project work.

Special education, integrated co-teaching, and Regent's math in grade eight are offered, and students can choose from a choice of 15 enrichment clusters, like electives, like Latin dance held during the school day.

After school options include basketball, tai chi, cheerleading, glee club and community service.

World Journalism Preparatory  is similar to Bell in terms of offering a small size school option. "Our small, personalized environment helps us be especially responsive to individual student needs," said Principal Cynthia Schneider.

It has 570 students for grades 6-12, with 81-90 seats available in the sixth grade, and received a "C" from the DOE.

Students are selected by attendance at an open house and via lottery. 

As a 6-12 school, parents eliminate the need to search for a high school. The school's theme as its name implies is journalism. "In its truest form, journalism, is an opportunity for students in all disciplines to pursue interesting questions, investigate answers, and publish their learning," said Schneider. She adds the school also builds college readiness.

WJPS offers special education and ICT classes and accelerated science and math in eighth grade, as well as high school advanced placement classes. In the middle school, students can be part of Champs sports and clubs.

Personally, it wasn't a special theme that led to our decision for our daughter to attend Bell, but size and location. She has the rare gift of walking to and from school every day. Academically not worth much, but when she's home from school in five minutes and already hitting the books, well, that's priceless.