Squadron Urges Approval of New P.s. 8 Middle School in Brooklyn Heights

Squadron:  By Answering Our Call, DOE Will Help Ensure P.S. 8’s Continued Success

BROOKLYN – Today, State Senator Daniel Squadron will testify in support of the expansion of P.S. 8 into a middle school in Brooklyn Heights, after long urging the Department of Education to create the expanded school.

P.S. 8 has seen incredible success in recent years, transforming from an underperforming school to a popular – and now over-capacity - elementary school option for Brooklyn Heights families. For over a year, Senator Squadron worked with Principal Seth Phillips, the P.S. 8 PTA and community, Assemblymember Joan Millman, and Councilmember Stephen Levin to urge DOE to expand P.S. 8 to meet the community’s need for a high-quality middle school in District 13.

In December, DOE announced that it had heeded the community’s call and would propose the expansion of P.S. 8 into a middle school, housed five blocks away in the underutilized Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School building. Tonight, DOE will hold a hearing on the expansion, followed by a Panel on Education Policy vote on Thursday. 

“By answering our calls and providing the community with a high-quality middle school, DOE will help ensure the continued success of P.S. 8 and improve options for all District 13 students,” said Senator Squadron. “I urge quick approval of this plan so that the middle school can be up and running by next school year and more District 13 kids can get the excellent education they deserve. I’m confident that, working together, we can achieve a co-location that works for all of the schools at the Westinghouse campus.”

On Thursday, Senator Squadron joined P.S. 8 parents and faculty, and Assemblymember Millman and Councilmember Levin for a tour of the proposed co-location space at Westinghouse. The co-location will bring with it improvements that will benefit all students at the Westinghouse campus. 

Senator Squadron’s testimony, to be given at tonight’s hearing, is available below.

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Media Contact: Amy Spitalnick / 212.298.5565