P

P.S. 452

PublicUpper West Side
210 West 61st Street, New York, NY 10023
212-259-6222

Overview

Educational philosophy

Progressive / Play Based

Programs offered

3s · Pre-K · K+

Annual tuition

Free (NYC DOE)

School continues

Through Grade 5

Student-teacher ratio

16:1

Total students

~410

Financial aid

Not offered

Sibling & legacy

Upcoming:No upcoming admissions dates — check back soon

P.S. 452 is a well-regarded, zoned NYC public elementary school (3-K through Grade 5) in Lincoln Square on the Upper West Side, founded in 2010 and located at 210 West 61st Street since 2017 with a 3-K/Pre-K annex on Broadway. Led by principal David Parker, it emphasizes rigorous, inquiry-based academics, the arts (studio art, music, dance, library/media) and strong social-emotional learning through Yale's RULER program, with an Integrated Co-Teaching class in every grade. State test proficiency runs above citywide averages (~80% Math, ~74% ELA in 2024-25). Admission is free through NYC's MySchools system, with a guaranteed seat for in-zone Kindergarten families and separate 3-K and Pre-K admissions.

Programs & Schedule

3sAge 3–4

Schedule

Monday – Friday

Extended hours

Yes

Tuition

Free; 2026-27 rate; [Detail: 3-K for All] Free full-day 3-K, housed at the PS 452 annex at 1972 Broadway (~15 seats). Apply via MySchools 3-K admissions (separate system/timeline from Pre-K and K). Optional annex afterschool runs from dismissal to about 5:40 PM (latest_pickup). Citywide 3-K application dates for the upcoming cycle are typically posted by DOE in early winter; not yet confirmed for 2027-28 at crawl time.

Pre-KAge 4–5

Schedule

Monday – Friday

Extended hours

Yes

Tuition

Free; 2026-27 rate; [Detail: Pre-K for All] Free full-day Pre-K (~54 seats), offered at both the main campus and the 1972 Broadway annex. Apply via MySchools Pre-K admissions (separate system/timeline from 3-K and K). Optional afterschool available. Citywide Pre-K application dates for the upcoming cycle typically post in early winter; not yet confirmed for 2027-28 at crawl time.

KAge 5

Schedule

Monday – Friday

Extended hours

Yes

Tuition

Free; 2026-27 rate; Free K-5 elementary at 210 West 61st Street. Zoned neighborhood school in District 3; in-zone residents guaranteed a K-5 seat except in rare overcrowding. Apply for Kindergarten via MySchools; grades 1-5 register directly with the school. School hours: 8:00 AM early drop-off, 8:25 AM start, ~2:40 PM dismissal. Optional afterschool via outside providers (Goddard Riverside to 5:30 PM; NY Kids Club to 6:00 PM), 1-5 days/week; latest_pickup reflects the 6:00 PM option. Citywide K application dates for the upcoming cycle typically post in early winter; not yet confirmed for 2027-28 at crawl time.

This school continues through Grade 5. Enrolled students progress without reapplying.

Admissions

3-K application opens (est. mid-Jan)~Jan 14expected
3-K application deadline (est. late Feb)~Feb 26expected
3-K offers (est. spring)~May 19expected

Leadership

David Parker

Admissions contact

ps452admissions@gmail.com

Culture & Community

Educational approach
Progressive / Play Based

A District 3 zoned NYC public elementary school (3-K through Grade 5) on the Upper West Side. PS 452 describes itself as 'a learning community in which children, families, and staff from diverse backgrounds wonder, discover, and create together,' emphasizing rigorous, standards-aligned academics, inquiry-based learning, and social-emotional development to prepare students to become 'informed, empathetic, critical thinkers.' It uses content-based, standards-aligned curricula, partnerships with museums and cultural institutions, and Yale University's RULER program as an explicit social-emotional learning component. Every grade includes an Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) class pairing general and special education teachers.

GenderCo-ed
Cultural programs
MusicArt
Enrichment
Media and library studiesdance/movement through the National Dance Institute for Grades 1-4physical education using the NYC DOE K-5 PE Scope and Sequence.
After-school programs
Multiple outside-provider afterschool programs: Goddard Riverside at Lincoln Square (K-6, Mon-Fri 2:45-5:30 PMhomework help, tutoring, arts, STEM)NY Kids Club West End Afternoon Club (Mon-Fri 2:30-6:00 PM, 1-5 days/weekdance, gymnastics, sports, art)an Arts & Athletics program (K-5sports, art, music, dance, languages, creative writing)New York Scholastic Chess Club (Mondays to 4:30 PM)annex Pre-K afterschool (dismissal to 5:40 PM).

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