About PS9

PS 9 is an elementary public school, part of Community District 3 in Manhattan. We have classes pre-K through fifth grade. We no longer house the District 3 Gifted and Talented Program.

PS 9 strives to fulfill its stated mission, “Every child at PS 9 will succeed!” by creating and maintaining a team environment in which staff, administration and parents work with each child to meet exceptionally high academic standards.

We are strongly committed to the academic excellence and the fostering of a collaborative community of lifelong learners. By creating and maintaining a team environment in which teachers, administrators and parents work cohesively to support every child in meeting exceptionally high academic standards.

We are committed to the practices of both constructivism and the workshop model. These practices make it possible to enrich and differentiate instruction. Students are able to build their critical thinking skills and deepen their understandings.

Our parents support our work in this area by providing the funding which allows us to have an assistant teacher in every classroom. This significantly reduces the student/teacher ratio in our classrooms. Assistant teachers work closely with teachers in both remediation and enrichment activities.

Our staff works collaboratively to ensure that there are many opportunities for team-building across programs and grades throughout the year, including, fifth grade Spirit Day, Family Math Nights, Field Days and grade level trips to Frost Valley and Philadelphia. Our curriculum is further enriched with Spanish, chess, technology, gym, visual arts, museum studies, ORFF musical theory and instrumental music.

School Facts

  • Student population: 620 (2017-18)
  • Strong commitment to professional development of teachers – generously supported by the parent body.
  • Assistant teachers in all classrooms (funded entirely by PA)
  • Enrichment Program – Spanish Program, grades K-5
  • Cross-curricular arts integration program
  • Chess instruction for grades K-2
  • Library
  • Trained Parent Leaders Volunteers
  • Multiple computers in all classrooms
  • Values instruction and conflict resolution program
  • Enriching afterschool program
  • Free breakfast and lunch for all students
  • Designated kindergarten play yard
  • Involved and dedicated Parents Association
  • Recent grants which provided us with AC in the gym and a soon to be newly renovated Library

Support Staff

  • Literacy and Math coach
  • ESL teacher
  • Special Education Services: Speech, OT and PT therapists
  • School Assessment Team
  • Social Worker
  • Psychologist
  • Guidance Counselor
  • Special Education (ICT model)
  • Parent Coordinator
  • Full-Time Nurse

Special Affiliations

  • Museum of Modern Art
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • New York City Ballet
  • Carnegie Hall
  • Renovated Library

Cluster Classes

PS 9 students receive instruction with licensed teachers in one of the following areas each day: Visual Art, Computers, Music, Gym and Spanish.