High school students in the theater MAP class put on a performance of Rossini's Barber of Seville at the Williamsburg Community Center

Lyons Community School

Address: 233 Graham Avenue
Website: www.lyonscommunityschool.org

In addition to the core curriculum, Lyons offers experiential learning. Their field studies classes, for example, take students outside the classroom, once a week, to study the community. “These classes, which are aligned with essential skills and content, give students an opportunity to make connections between what they learn in school and the real world,” said Jody Madell, the program director at Lyons. Ninth graders who study world religions visit various places of worship and museums throughout the community. Eighth graders who study ecology head out to Prospect Park to collect and analyze scientific data. In addition to these classes, Lyons has a partnership with Urban Workshop, through which students learn woodworking skills and use hand tools to construct structures such as benches and gazebos throughout the neighborhood. Other electives include baking, Harlem Renaissance literature, theater and sculpture.

Lyons hosts many community-based events throughout the school year, including “Boys Night In” and “Girls Night In.” Girls Night In is a recent addition at the school, and fosters friendships between the female students at Lyons as they cook together and engage in other team-building activities. Lyons is also known for their popular family picnics, talent shows and staff vs. students sporting events.

In addition, the school hosts a number of academic events. Students give presentations of their work, such as readings of creative writing. The theatre class puts on many performances, such as annual productions of Shakespeare. This year, they put on a performance of Rossini’s Barber of Seville. The ninth grade hosts the “World Religions Tour,” which is a bonding experience for students and their parents. “Each ninth grade student takes their family on a tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, teaching their family about what they have learned about world religions,” said Madell.

“Our school stands out as a place where adults really care deeply about students and work to provide each student with the educational opportunities that best suits their needs,” said Madell. “We get to know each student as a person and as a learner. Teachers collaborate with each other and with school administration to constantly improve their practice so that they can challenge and support each student. We also offer small group support classes to target students with specific academic needs. We are committed to each student’s growth, and we seek to build strong relationships with families in order to better serve each student’s needs.”

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