About

Welcome to P.S. 159Q—a school with a proud history, a strong sense of community, and an exciting vision for the future.

Located in the heart of Bayside, our school has welcomed generations of children and families since opening its doors in 1931. Inside our historic building, you will find classrooms filled with conversation, creativity, exploration, and joyful learning. Most importantly, you will find a caring community committed to ensuring that every child is known, challenged, and given a true sense of belonging.

At P.S. 159Q, we envision a collaborative community that empowers every student to grow as an independent, lifelong learner. Our administrators, teachers, staff members, students, and families work together to create a welcoming and inclusive environment rooted in safety, engagement, and high expectations. Through this partnership, we nurture the academic and social-emotional skills students need to thrive in an ever-changing world, reach their full potential, and make a positive impact in their community.

Learning Comes to Life

Our instructional focus is clear: We are helping every student become a confident reader, thinker, and problem solver.

In our classrooms, students do more than learn facts and practice skills. They ask questions, share ideas, listen to different perspectives, explain their thinking, and learn from one another. Teachers carefully examine student work and learning data to understand what each child needs next and to provide the right balance of support and challenge.

In literacy, students build strong vocabulary and word knowledge while reading increasingly challenging and engaging texts. Through HMH Into Reading, students in kindergarten through fifth grade read, write, discuss, and use evidence to support their ideas. Fundations provides our kindergarten through third-grade students with a strong foundation in phonics and word study. Students who need additional support with decoding, fluency, or comprehension receive targeted instruction, while our English Language Learners receive additional opportunities to develop their language and literacy skills, including support through Imagine Learning.

During mathematics, students are encouraged to see themselves as capable mathematicians. Through enVision Mathematics, they use visual models, hands-on materials, and a variety of strategies to make sense of problems. Students explain their reasoning, learn from the approaches of their classmates, persevere when problems are challenging, and develop a deeper understanding of important mathematical ideas.

Our students also experience the excitement of scientific discovery. Through Amplify Science, they investigate the natural world by asking questions, gathering evidence, conducting hands-on explorations, collaborating with classmates, and developing explanations. Science becomes something students actively do—not simply something they read about.

Technology is thoughtfully woven throughout the school day to expand the ways students learn, create, and communicate. With access to Chromebooks, iPads, interactive Promethean boards, document cameras, and wireless internet, students develop the digital skills they need for the future. Our technology and robotics program introduces younger students to coding and keyboarding and engages older students in STEM and robotics experiences that strengthen creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.

A Place to Create, Perform, and Belong

We believe a well-rounded education provides children with many ways to discover their strengths and express themselves. Through visual art, music, and the performing arts, students have opportunities to create, collaborate, build confidence, and share their talents.

Our youngest learners experience music through singing, movement, and playing instruments. As students move through the grades, they have opportunities to learn the recorder, guitar, drums, and keyboard. Their creativity and hard work are celebrated through special performances and community events, including our Spring Choral Concert and annual Night of the Arts.

At P.S. 159Q, supporting the whole child is at the heart of our work. We celebrate academic achievement, but we also recognize growth, perseverance, kindness, leadership, positive choices, and service to others. Our social-emotional learning program helps students develop empathy, self-awareness, communication skills, responsible decision-making, and healthy relationships. Our student-led SEL Ambassador Team brings these values to life by helping to create a school community in which differences are respected and every student has a voice.

Growing Together

Families are essential members of the P.S. 159Q community. We value open communication and believe that strong partnerships among the school, families, and community organizations create the best possible experience for our children.

Together, we are building a school where students feel safe enough to take risks, supported enough to persevere, and inspired to become confident learners and caring members of their community.

We are proud to welcome you to the P.S. 159Q family—a place where every child can Be Known. Be Challenged. Belong.