Middle School for Art and Philosophy

The Middle School for Art and Philosophy, serving grades 6-8 in Brooklyn, offers a curriculum that integrates a wide array of art forms, including visual arts, African dance, mural design, photography, graphic design, music production, and theater, culminating in a yearly musical. The school also emphasizes philosophy and critical thinking, providing Regents courses in Living Environment and Algebra I, alongside daily literacy intervention periods. It focuses on students' social-emotional development through an advisory goal-setting program and restorative circles. Parent sentiment is mixed; some families praise a caring, family-oriented community with accessible teachers and enriching after-school programs, noting positive high school outcomes for their children. However, other parents express significant concerns regarding student safety, bullying, and a perceived lack of effective protocols and teacher support in addressing these issues. Academically, proficiency rates in both ELA and Math are near the citywide 25th percentile, and the percentage of students in accelerated coursework is also low compared to citywide benchmarks. The school's official ratings for instruction and safety are both 'Fair', while relationships with families are rated 'Excellent'.