The Anderson School (PS334) is a unique and exciting K-8 New York City public school designed to meet the special needs of children with superior intellectual potential. Our philosophical commitment is to the whole child: balancing social, emotional and educational development. We strive to meet the particular needs of these children by placing equal importance on emotional intelligence and academics.
Students are educated in a stimulating environment where they can become both producers and consumers of knowledge. The Anderson School seeks to reflect the ethnic, racial, socioeconomic and geographic diversity of New York City.A judicious combination of accelerated and enriched instruction, our curriculum builds from fundamentals to promote a hands-on, in-depth discovery approach to learning. Children work both independently and in groups on projects and assignments that stimulate logical reasoning and imagination. Talented educators address the needs of intellectually gifted children by designing dynamic and nurturing lessons and activities.
Creative problem solving, divergent thinking, research, and self-evaluation are emphasized in each classroom, in tandem with more traditional skills. At the same time, our children are assisted in developing essential social skills, including sensitivity to and respect for others, effective communication, and self-esteem. We hope and expect that our children will acquire an understanding of their responsibilities as members of society along with a lifelong love of learning.
History
The Anderson School was started as the grades K-5 Anderson Program in 1987 by a group of visionary and tenacious parents who saw the need to accommodate young students with high academic potential. Anderson was designed to provide highly gifted children from diverse backgrounds with a curriculum that is accelerated as well as enriched. From its opening as a program with four classes and some eighty students within PS 9, on W. 84th St. at Columbus Avenue, Anderson has now grown into a mature school of nine grades and over 500 students. In its multicultural public school setting, the school has brought together a truly remarkable community; a team of imaginative, caring teachers; an innovative administration and committed, involved families who sustain Anderson through their very active participation.
In July 2005, Anderson was granted school status by the Department of Education. As a school (rather than a program) we have our own administration, budget, PTA and School Leadership Team. This momentous change followed the significant milestone of the launch of our middle school grades in September 2003.
We are proud that the vast majority of our 8th graders have consistently received offers from their top choice high schools. Many have received acceptances to specialized public high schools (Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, Brooklyn Tech, LaGuardia Arts, American Studies at Lehman College, MSE at City College and Brooklyn Latin) and desirable, high performing local schools including Beacon, Bard Early College HS, Eleanor Roosevelt, Millennium, Nest + M, Townsend Harris, Upper Lab. In addition, students have been accepted at private schools such as Dalton, Deerfield, Fieldston, Friends, Horace Mann, Loyola, Spence and Trinity.
In July 2009, the Department of Education moved Anderson to larger quarters on the corner of W. 77th St. and Columbus Avenue – right down the street from PS 9, our home of 22 years. We now have room to grow and will eventually have three classrooms of students in each grade, K – 5, in the building we share with IS 44, The Computer School, and West Prep.