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A PhO%u00a9i\It%u2019s Back-To-School Time AgainBY LIBBY HAYMANWhether it means a sigh of relief from parents or not, September 10is the day when kids once again get the eager but nervous looks on their faces which mean that school is starting.Gloomy news about budget cuts, including the word from Dr. Jerome Harris, Superintendent of Community School District 13, that %u201c it%u2019s the worst budget in ten years,%u201d is of serious concern to everyone who cares about what%u2019s happening in the city. A look at allour schools%u2014public, independent and parochial%u2014shows that inflation and budget restrictions force some sacrifices this year.But the determination of principals and teachers to make the best of the situation has led to innovations in elementary and intermediate education which may make a lot of difference for the good. Some schools feature lots of special programs and new curricula which they find very helpful. Other have settled down with more traditional methods, and manybalance old and new.For Brooklynites, the choices are many. Ihe independent schools, with steep tuitions and admissions testing, are still a popular choice, and scholarships are often available. Catholic schools combine lower tuitions with much of the intimacy which parents seek at independent schools, and many Catholic schools have a number of non-catholic students. The public elementary and junior high schools have many individualized programs and they are closely tiedto their neighborhoods. They are now organized under Community School Boards, and parent involvement with the Boards and schools is encouraged.In the downtown neighborhoods, there are two Community School Boards. District 13, with District Superintendent Dr. Jerome Harris, includes Brooklyn Heights, parts of Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Fort Greene, as well as Bedford-Stuyvesant. Its headquarters is at 44 Court Street and the phone number for information about schools is624-7778.District 15, with Superintendent Alfred Melov, includes Boerum HilJ, Red Hook, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Sunset Park, most of Park Slope, and Windsor Terrace. Its headquarters is at 360 Smith Street and the telephone number is 330-9300.Crown Heights is in District 17, Dr. Carl Sewell, Superintendent, 426-4900.Independent AndParochial SchoolsAdelphi Academy, 8515 RidgeBoulevard, BE8-3308. K-12, 300 students. Adelphi, one of the oldest co-ed independent schools is the borough, is instituting a full day kindergarten this year. This non-sectarian school stresses small classes, with such special offerings as beginning French in Grade 1. A new gym opened last year. Tuition: $1800-53050.Berkeley, [TheBerkeley Institute], 181 Lincoln PI., ST9-6060.Pre-school-12, 320 students. Thomas E. Dodd, Headmaster. Berkeley combines a diverse and cosmopolitan student body with an approach which is %u201c traditional in the humanistic sense.%u201d French is offered in Grade 1, Latin is still taught beginning in Grade 8. An emphasis on writing skills is found in all grades, and 6th to 8th graders are given special training in study skills. Tuition: $1700-$2750.Brooklyn Boys Chorus School,259 Washington Ave., 638-9660. Grades 3-8, 40 boys. James McCarthy, Director. The Brooklyn Boys Chorus has moved to Clinton Hill, and they report a warm reception in their new neighborhood. The school is more than a school, since all th'c boys are part of the chorus and participate . in a year-round program of concerts as well as education. A long school day combines rehearsals and 4-1/2 -5 hours of academic work. Boys must audition for the school, while academic and social qualities are also considered. The school still has places, and full scholarships are available, with charges only for activities.Brooklyn Friends School, 375 Pearl St., 852-1029. K-12, 575 students. Kay Edstene, Principal. Friends is welcoming a new Principal this year as Kay Edstene, formerly Assistant Head and Director of the George School in Pennsylvania becomes one of the few women to head an independent school. Friends has open classrooms in grades R-5, and an %u201c integrated%u201d program in grades 6-8. The school emphasizes a strong scholastic program in a diverse community of students. The school gives admission preference to children of members of the Society of Friends, with encouragement to others %u201c interested in the values...of Friends%u201d encouraged to apply. Tuition: $2085-2950.students. Dr. Bongsoom Zubay, Headmistress. Carroll Street is the new name for the Montessori School of Brooklyn, with the change intended to avoid confusion with other Montessoris. TheSchool uses Montessori classrooms through the kindergarten, with the philosophy of encouraging individual growth and creativity throughout the school. Small classes, an intimate %u201c family%u201d atmosphere, and such activities as a drama club and chorus give children confidence and real enjoyment. An Early Bird and After School Program allow 8 a.m.-6 p.m. activity. Tuition: $1400-$2300.Fort Greene Catholic School,Lafayette and Vanderbilt Aves,,857-3114. Sir. Frances McCool, CSJ, Principal.Fort Greene Catholic School, 39Adelphi St., 624-6960. Sr. Mary Immaculate, RS, Principal.Holy Name, 241 Prospect ParkWest, 768-7629. Sr. Jane Reily, CSJ, Principal. Grades K-8Holy Spirit School, 560 SterlingPL, 638-3371. Sr. Eugenia Calabrese, Principal.Montessori Academy of NewYork, 105 Eighth Ave., 857-2559.Ages 2-1/2 to 14, 175 students. Hanna Sinha, Principal. Montessori Academy docs not place children in numbered grades, but groups them according to age, with ability grouping used for specific subjects. The Montessori approach is used throughout the school, although Montessori materials are used most heavily in the earliest graces. Students are helped to become independent in their work habits. French and Spanish are taught to all children, as well as creative movement and dance.Nativity/ St. Claver, 15 ClaverPlace, 638-2546. Sr. Marilyn, CSFN, Principal.Our Lady of Peace, 512 CarrollSt., 855-5608. K-8, 356 students. Sr. Berenice Murphy, OSF, Principal. Strong academic emphasis at Our Lady of Peace is shown in departmentalization in the upper grades and intense reading programs grouped according to reading grade level rather than age. The school works to build the confidence of the students. Some non-Catholic students attend. Tuition: $375-$475 for parish members.Packer Collegiate Institute, 170Joralemon, 875-6644. Preschool12, 622 students. John F. Skillman, Jr., President. The ivy covered walls of Packer house a school where students enjoy a diversified program and classroom teaching which tries to combine theare encouraged to proceed with materials assigned according to individual progress, while small groups enhance the effort at individualized education. Tuition, $2300-53425.Polytechnic Prep Country DaySchool. 92nd St. and Seventh Ave.,836-9800. Grades 2-5 (coed), 500 students. William M. Williams, Principal. %u201c Poly%u201d combines strong academics with strong athletics. The school has been coeducational since 1977, and the first girls graduated last year. There will soon be a rebuilt gym, and the library is excellent. Foreign languages begin in Grade 7, with French, Spanish, and Latin being offered. Tuition: $3200-53500.Sacred Heart School, 501 HicksSt., 625-2267. Grades 1-8, 500 students. Gerald Cattaro, Principal. Sacred Heart is unusual among Catholic schools in having a iayman as its head. It has students of all beliefs, and the principal says, %u201c We%u2019re here to serve the community.%u201d The children are involved in a number of community service projects. Academic features include a well-equipped learning center and some classes for gifted children. Tuition: $500 for one child, $25 for each additional up to a $550 maximum.St. Agnes, 421 Degraw St.,625-1745. K-8, 415 students. Sr. Anne Cregan, Principal. The emphasis in this Catholic school is on formulation of values and a sense that the school is %u201c alive, well, and growing,%u201d Sr. Anne says.A newly planned bilingual program, a learning center where students can work quietly on projects assigned by the teachers, and heterogeneous grouping in classes are aspects of the school. Tuition is $375 for one child in a family, $50 for each additional child.St. Ann%u2019s Episcopal School. 129Pierrepont St., 522-1660. Grades 1-12. St. Ann%u2019s is a school designed to encourage gifted children, whether gifted on the I.Q. test which the school administers for admission, or especially gifted in the performing arts or other areas. Ability grouping by subject means that children, who are especially bright in one area, can be placed with students who may be in different grades. Team teaching is used, and the faculty create an atmosphere in which students can become av,are of the love of learning. Tuition: $2850-13800.St. Angela Hall, 292 WashingtonAve., 622-9200. K-12, 500students. Sr. Joan Petito, Sr. Barbara Baranowski, Principals. St. Angela Hall is not a parish school like most Catholic schools, but an academy which is really two schools, a coeducational elementary school and a high school for girls only. The school has many%u00bb%u2022. r%u201e %u201ei i u i r v u m u i i v . o i u u c m o . a it m velementary school, subjects are departmentalized from the early grades and there is an emphasis on the progress of the individual* student. Tuition: $900 plus fees in elementary.St. Augustine-St. Francis Xavier.763 President St., 857-2559. K-8,750 students. Sr. Kathleen, S.J. Principal. Two Park Slope Catholic Schools merged last year to produce St. Augustine-St. Francis Xavier, and the Principal says that the merger has been one of the most successful of the many mergers of parish schools over the last few years. Sr. Kathleen attributes the good atmosphere in the school to %u201cteachers who really care.%u201d Some teachers take children on outings even during vacations. Departmentalization and ability grouping are used throughout the school. Parents are very involved in the school, particularly in running fund raising event which help keep the tuition low. Tuition: $55 per family for non-parish members, $40 for parish members. A number of non-Catholics attend the school.St. Charles Borromeo, 23 SidneyPlace, 596-1362. K-8, 310 students. Sr. Rosarine Quinn, Principal. At. St. Charles Borromeo, the educational system is centered on teaching the Catholic faith, while the students are motivated toward doing excellent classwork. There is a departmental organization for grades 3-8, with curricula adapted to different abilities. There is heavy demand for the school from its own and neighboring Catholic parishes, so that there arc few non-Catholic students. Tuition: $400 per family.BOERUM HILL/GOWANUSP.S. 38, Pacific School, 450 Pacific St., 330-9305. K-6, 640 students. Ralph Williams, Principal. P.S. 38 has several special programs, and has departmental specialization for students in 5th and 6th grades. Good instruction in art is featured, and the principal says, %u201c brighter children are not forgotten.%u201dP.S. 261, Philip LivingstonSchool, 314 Pacific St., 330-9275.K-6, 650 students. Ivan Werner, Principal. P.S. 261 has departmental specialization in 5th and 6th grades, as well as math and reading labs. Strenghs include art and physical education, including a new %u201c movement education%u201d proggram, and weekly library periods for all students. An active P.T.A. is involved in many facets of school life.P.S. 32 Samuel Mills Sprole School 317 Hoyt St., 330-9295. Un-^ T u d c d tifY A r t n / 4 n n %u00bb c \\ / [ 1 n Vi Ck 1Agona, Acting Principal. P.S. 32 was the birthplacethreeyearsago foranexciting new approach to grouping elementary students, in a program called %u201cIndividually Guided Education.%u201d The program, nowSt. John Evangelist/HolyFamily, 259 21st St., 768-4139. Sr. Grace Rosaire, CSJ, Principal.St. Mary Star of the Sea, 477Court St., 625-0728. Brother Lawrence Boyle, OSF., Principal.St. Thomas Aquinas/HolyFamily, 211 8th St., 768-9007.Grades 1-8, 550 students. Sr. Clare Raeder, CSJ, Principal.St. Savior, 701 Eighth Ave.,768-8000. K-8. Sr. Mary Ann Braunu SSND, Principal. St. Saviour%u2019s has encouragements to learning such as a full-time library and a learning center with special facilities. A turoring program is conducted with two high schools. Departmental classes are offered in Grades 4-8. Quite a number of non-Catholic students attend. Tuition: $400-$500.Woodward Park School, 50 Prospect Park West, 768-1103. Preschool-8, 160 students. The names of this school have evolved over the last few years, but the results of the merger of the Woodward School with West Park, formerly Brooklyn Ethical Culture, are now a blend of programs and activities reflecting characteristics of both earlier schools. Woodward Park offers Spanish in Grades 1-8, special science and cultural instruction, and a somewhat informal atmosphere. An After School Program runs from 3-6pm daily. Tuition: $1300-$2900.found in several other schools in District 15, places students in %u201c units%u201d which span two grade levels andeachstudentisassigned toclassesin math, reading, andsocial studies suited to the child%u2019s progress in each subject. The system is beginning its fourth year at P.S. 32, and educators from all over have come to see it, while parents and students are happy about it, the Principal reports.BROOKLYN HEIGHTSP.S. 8, The Robert FultonSchool, 37 Hicks St., 834-6740.K-6, 446 students. Blanche Kasindorf, Principal. Brooklyn Heights%u2019 elementary school now has a full day kindergarten. It is also a school which says that %u201c integration is a working reality,%u201d with a diverse student body striving along with parents and teachers toward individual development. The school has a dark room students can use. Involvement in the community is an important goal here.CARROLL GARDENSP.S. 58, The Carroll School, 330Smith St., 330-9322. K-6, 820Continucil p.ige !September 6,1979, The PHOENIX, PageCaroll Street School, 701 CarrollC a d.*>Q 1 H A'Y I ) -----------L ^ a I A AC\\ Gi m a n yPublic Elementary andJunior High Schools