Curriculum
PS163’s
well-rounded curriculum combined with developmentally appropriate
instruction builds confident and intellectually curious lifelong
learners.
The PS163 literacy program,
modeled on the Columbia University Teachers College Reading and Writing
Project, addresses individual student needs and helps our children to
become fluent, critical, and confident readers and writers. Our
students explore math concepts, and use the Everyday Math curriculum to apply those concepts to real world situations. The PS163 social studies curriculum
encourages students to appreciate ideas and events that shape society.
Our science curriculum provides a challenging examination of scientific
concepts, complemented by hands-on experiments, companion studies, and
field trips.
The arts are an essential
part of the instructional program for every child who attends PS163.
Teachers draw upon the arts to enhance the curriculum in various
subject areas. Students participate in a wide range of activities,
including chess, music, movement, poetry, and visual arts.
In the upper grades, we offer school-wide enrichment clusters; children
select areas of interest to explore in depth, culminating in a final
project that they present to parents and to other students. Children
may explore the undersea world of tropical fish, cultivate window-box
gardens, study percussion instruments, participate in storytelling,
drama, and art activities, or learn about foods from around the world.
The PTA supports PS163’s enrichment programs through grants and
fund-raising.
The innovative Dual Language program at
PS163 was the first of its kind on the Upper West Side. Most students
in our sought-after Monolingual and Dual Language G&T programs are
accepted to their middle school first choice. Our General Education
programs, also designed to encourage each child to achieve his or her
full potential, are held in similar high regard. This fact is well
appreciated in the middle-school admissions process.
Our
community is warm, caring, spirited, and diverse. We are fortunate to
have an active parent association and a dedicated and talented staff.
Experience PS163 for yourself — stop by our Spring Fair, come to one of
our many community festivals, or simply tour the school.
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