In a move that's set to shake up early childhood education in Brooklyn, Mayor Eric Adams and Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles Ramos have unveiled plans for a new inclusive early childhood education center at P.S. 6 in Flatbush, slated to open its doors this coming fall. According to the press release by the NYC Mayor's Office, the center is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at serving children with and without disabilities, highlighting the district's first dedicated AIMS classrooms designed specifically, for students with autism.
"Our administration is committed to meeting the needs of every child, which is why we’re proud to announce the opening of School District 17’s first-ever special education annex at P.S. 6 right in Flatbush, Brooklyn," Mayor Adams stated. The plan includes not only the innovative AIMS program, with a focus on acquisition, integrated services, meaningful communication, and social skills but also a general education 3-K program and an integrated pre-K class. This strategy crystallizes the city's resolve to support families of children with special needs from day one to create a nurturing learning atmosphere, as per the NYC Mayor's Office.
Amplifying this sentiment, Chancellor Aviles Ramos remarked, "We strongly believe in providing students individualized support that honors their unique learning journey." She envisages the program bridging immediate educational needs while laying a sustainable groundwork for student success. The inclusive center represents a $55 million investment by the Adams administration in preschool special education and underscores a commitment, to fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments, as reported by the NYC Mayor's Office.
Additional context was provided by Deputy Chancellor Christina Foti of the Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning (DIAL), who said, "This initiative builds upon our already successful programs, like Nest Horizon and Path, which consistently demonstrate that when we provide appropriate supports, our students thrive." The new center's features promise a diverse range of classroom settings, including self-contained special education classes, integrated co-teaching classes, and specialized AIMS classrooms. Each will be helmed by educators specifically trained to support children with autism and other learning differences, as noted by the NYC Mayor's Office.
New York City Councilmember Rita Joseph, with over two decades of experience as an educator at P.S. 6, praised the project, "The new special education annex at P.S. 6 in Flatbush represents a major step forward in making sure our children with autism and other developmental needs get the services and support they deserve starting as early as pre-K," as per the NYC Mayor's Office. The annex is expected to increase available seats in District 17 by opening 15 general education 3-K seats, adding 8 pre-K special education seats in integrated classes, 14 in specialized classes, and 18 kindergarten to second-grade AIMS seats by the 2027-2028 school year.
