P.S. 77 Lower Lab School

PublicUpper East Side

1700 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10128

212-427-2798

www.schools.nyc.gov/schools/M077

On this page

Overview

Educational philosophy

Traditional / Academic

Programs offered

K+

Annual tuition

Free (NYC DOE)

School continues

Through Grade 5

Total students

~360

Financial aid

Not offered

Sibling & legacy

—

Upcoming:

Dec 9Kindergarten application opensK

P.S. 77 Lower Lab School is a K-5 NYC public elementary in District 2 (Upper East Side) serving a gifted & talented population, and one of the highest-scoring public elementary schools in New York State (roughly 99% proficient in both ELA and Math). Founded in 1987 and led by principal Sandra Miller, it tailors instruction to gifted learners through acceleration and in-depth study, enriched with Spanish and Latin, an orchestra, arts, STEM and a digital media center. Admission is free and citywide through the NYC Gifted & Talented lottery (MySchools), with District 2 priority and an income-based Kindergarten set-aside. Entry is at Kindergarten only.

Programs & Schedule

K & BeyondThrough Grade 5

Schedule

Monday – Friday

Extended hours

Yes

Tuition

Free; 2026-27 rate; Free K-5 gifted & talented program. Entry at Kindergarten via the NYC Gifted & Talented lottery (MySchools); District 2 residents receive priority and ~12% of K seats are set aside for applicants based on family income. Beacon after-school program available (extended day). Bell-schedule start/end times not published on crawled pages.

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

Admissions

Kindergarten application opensDec 9

Kindergarten application deadlineJan 22

Kindergarten offers releasedMar 30

Leadership

Sandra Miller

Admissions contact

Fill out the online form →

Culture & Community

Educational approach

Traditional / Academic

A District 2 NYC public elementary school (Kindergarten-Grade 5) serving a gifted & talented population, consistently ranked among the top-performing public elementary schools in New York State. Lower Lab tailors instruction to gifted learners through acceleration, curriculum compacting, and in-depth analytical study, with an emphasis on creative, group-based learning. The program is enriched with foreign-language instruction (Spanish and Latin), an orchestra/music program, visual arts, STEM and a digital media center, plus social-emotional initiatives (the 'Lower Lab Values' program and a long-running peer-mediation program). Founded in 1987 and originally modeled on progressive independent schools (Manhattan Country School and Bank Street School for Children).

GenderCo-ed

Language immersion

Latin

Cultural programs

MusicArt

Enrichment

STEM programsLower Lab Digital Media Center (coding, digital citizenship, keyboarding, internet research)chess (Kindergarten)grade-level enrichments (architecture, debate)technology integration (iPads/laptops) across K-5peer-mediation program'Lower Lab Values' social-emotional learning initiative.

After-school programs

Beacon after-school program with daily activities (chess, music, sports)enrichment partnerships including the 92nd Street Y.