Middle School – Grades 6-8

PS 84 opened its doors to 6th graders in September 2014, and graduated the first 8th grade class in 2016.

The middle school at PS 84 centers on student voice and choice. We ensure that student interests are taken into account as we program electives for each year.

Because of our small size, we can ensure each student has individualized attention from members of our staff, including our amazing student advocate and guidance counselor.

Academics

PS 84 offers a collaborative, student centered learning experience where classmates work in small groups and problem solve. There are four classes per grade with an average of 25 students per class (the DOE max is 32).

Science, STEAM and Engineering

Science, STEAM and Engineering are a top priority at PS 84. We use the Amplify Science Curriculum that blends hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools to empower students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists and engineers. We have an award winning 3-D Printing program where all students get to design and fabricate a 3-D object.

Every year we hold the Science Exploratorium, where students from 2nd to 8th grade teach their families and friends a scientific concept they have learned during the year, through an interactive science activity. Every year the Exploratorium hosts up to 50 unique experiments.

Greenhouse Classroom

Our Greenhouse Science Laboratory is a rooftop classroom built around 21st century sustainable urban farming principles and designed to engage children through project-based teaching methods.

Staffed by a full-time teacher, the greenhouse functions as a supplemental science classroom. All students from 1st-8th grade spend time learning in the greenhouse.

Literacy

We use a Balanced Literacy approach as well as HMH Into Literature to ensure a well rounded reading experience while bolstering vocabulary. The Educating Powerful Writers curriculum takes students through narrative, informative, argumentative, literary essay, and poetry writing each year.

Similarly to our lower school, we have both Spanish Dual Language and ICT classrooms in middle school. Middle School students can receive the NYS Bi-Literacy seal at the end of the Dual Language program.

PS 84 also has a wonderful student library with a dedicated middle school level section as well as graphic novels, informational texts and periodicals.

Mathematics

The school uses the Illustrative Mathematics curriculum which focuses on activities that offer collaborative learning opportunities and instructional routines that center student thinking and encourage students to bring their whole selves to math class. We are also an Algebra for All school and your child will have the chance to graduate middle school with high school credit.

Social Studies

The DOE Social Studies Passport Core Curriculum takes students on a journey through time and teaches them to think like historians. Students are given the opportunity to examine primary source documents and artifacts, take multiple field trips and learn to gather evidence in support of their interpretations.

The Arts

Visual Arts

All children from K-8 receive art classes once or twice a week, in two spacious studios fully equipped with all the art supplies needed. At PS 84, art is taught according to the NYC Blueprints for Teaching and Learning in the Arts. In the upper grades students explore a variety of art expressions, like photography, printmaking, sculpture, drawing, painting, collage, product design, and fashion design. 

Students in grades 7-8 also focus on preparing portfolios for high school and can choose art as an elective.

Student work is exhibited and celebrated throughout the school's building and classrooms, and featured in the school's annual art show ARTStravaganza. PS 84 students have also been exhibited in both the Brooklyn Borough Arts Festival and the prestigious PS Art Exhibition at The Met.

The PTA also funds yearly arts residencies which are integrated in the daily schedule and expose students to literature, performing arts, and other creative activities. Past residencies have included Spoken Word/Poetry Slam, African drumming, animation and DJing.

For more information about our arts programs click here.

Music

Music is taught at PS 84 as a core subject to every student regardless of talent or ability, and as a means of supporting learning in other areas. All students learn basic music theory, such as rhythm, form, note reading, steady beat, harmony, timbre, texture, etc. We offer concert band, orchestra, Glee Club and Pop Music Combo as extracurricular electives. You can read more about our music program here.

Electives, Clubs & Sports

Debate Team

Electronic Music Production

Gay Straight Alliance Club

Journalism (Newspaper)

Media/Graphic Arts/3-D Printing

Pop Band, Glee Club and Concert Band

Science Fair Club

Scrapbooking

Sports Electives

Student Council Lighthouse Team

Yearbook Committee

Dress Code

All middle school students follow a dress code consisting of black bottoms (jeans, pants, sweats, skirt, etc.) and a colored shirt, selected by the students the year prior. Shirt colors are as follows for the current year:

• 6th grade - Green

• 7th grade - Red

• 8th grade - Royal Blue

Polo shirts in the assigned color are available for purchase from Ideal Uniform. Students are not allowed to wear ripped pants or hoodies.  For the safety of all students, we ask that students wear sneakers for gym and recess.

Afterschool

Our in-house after school program is provided by Grand St Settlement.

High School Prep

High school preparation begins in 6th grade with individualized high school and career counseling. All students are offered SHSAT prep and test administration.

Our 8th Graders have been accepted into: