M.S. 839

M.S. 839 is a Brooklyn middle school serving grades 6-8, known for its rigorous, interdisciplinary, and project-based instructional model that encourages critical thinking and collaboration. The school, which opened in 2015, occupies a modern, fully accessible building in Kensington/Windsor Terrace, sharing facilities like a gymnasium and outdoor playground with an elementary school, and is located near Prospect Park. Academically, students demonstrate strong performance, with English Language Arts proficiency well above the citywide median and a very high percentage of students engaged in accelerated coursework. While math proficiency is closer to the citywide 25th percentile, the school consistently ranks in the top 30% of New York middle schools. Parents express overwhelmingly positive sentiment, praising the caring teachers, thoughtful leadership, and the school's welcoming, friendly environment. The school also emphasizes social-emotional support through a small group advisory program. However, some student feedback suggests mixed experiences with academic challenge, and student survey results indicate that perceptions of bullying and fairness in conflict resolution could be areas for continued focus.