The Locke School of Arts and Engineering

P.S. 185, officially known as The Early Childhood Discovery and Design Magnet School, serves students from Pre-Kindergarten through 2nd grade in Manhattan. This small school, with an enrollment of 216, is recognized for its distinctive "Discovery and Design" approach, which integrates 21st-century learning tools and an engineering-focused curriculum. Students engage in problem-based learning, utilizing resources like a Lego Lab and a school garden, where they are encouraged to "ASK, IMAGINE, PLAN, CREATE and IMPROVE." The school occupies its own building. Parent sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with recent surveys showing 96-100% positive responses across various aspects of the school experience. Parents describe a warm, down-to-earth, and involved community, appreciating the rich enrichment opportunities including multiple specials teachers for preschool, engineering, and gardening activities. The school maintains a very low suspension rate of 0%, indicating a supportive and well-managed environment. Academic proficiency in English Language Arts is 51%, which is slightly below the citywide median for elementary grades, while Math proficiency at 39% is at the 25th percentile citywide.