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About TNS

Learn about our school, our mission, and our community.

The Neighborhood School community — students and families at PS 363 in the East Village
The Neighborhood School exterior \u2014 a four-story red brick schoolhouse with large windows and bright red doors, located in NYC's East Village

Our School

The Neighborhood School (PS363M) was founded in September 1991 and is located at 121 East 3rd Street, New York, NY 10009, in the heart of the East Village. We are part of District 1 and serve students from 3K through 5th grade.

A Progressive Approach

Our school is home to 11 multi-age classrooms where children of different ages learn together, building leadership skills, empathy, and a deeper understanding of concepts. We believe in progressive education -- the idea that children learn best through hands-on, inquiry-driven experiences that connect to their lives and communities.

Multi-Age Classrooms

Our classrooms are intentionally designed with multi-age groupings:

  • 1 Three-K class
  • 1 Pre-K class
  • 3 Kindergarten / 1st grade classes
  • 3 2nd / 3rd grade classes
  • 3 4th / 5th grade classes

This structure allows younger students to learn from older peers, while older students reinforce their own learning through mentorship and collaboration.

Supporting Every Learner

The Neighborhood School is committed to supporting all learners. We have Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) classes that bring push-in support directly into the classroom, as well as pull-out services that provide students with individualized attention in smaller settings. Our support services include occupational therapy, speech therapy, counseling, and physical therapy. Every child is welcomed, supported, and valued.

Arts Partnerships

The arts are central to our curriculum. We are proud to partner with outstanding organizations that bring professional arts instruction into our classrooms:

  • Studio in a School -- Visual arts
  • Third Street Music School -- Music education
  • NYC Ballet -- Dance education

These partnerships ensure that every student at TNS has access to high-quality arts education as part of their school experience.

Our Community

The Neighborhood School is more than a building -- it's a community. Our families, teachers, staff, and volunteers work together to create a school where children feel safe, valued, and inspired. We are committed to anti-bias, anti-racist education and to nurturing the whole child.