Cervantes once said, “Time ripens all things.” During the pandemic, P.S. 145, The Bloomingdale School, located at 150 West 105th Street, provided education to asylum-seeking students while continuing to serve its local community and 3K-to-fifth-grade student body. The school’s efforts captured the attention of Anderson Cooper and 60 Minutes in 2022. Since then, this ethnically diverse school has welcomed over 100 new families, many of whom are newcomers to both New York City and the United States.
Advertisement
P.S. 145 now occupies its own dedicated school space after sharing its building with West Prep Academy—a District 3 middle school serving parts of the Upper West Side and Harlem—for more than a decade. According to The New York Times, while P.S. 145’s enrollment “has climbed in the last couple of years, West Prep Academy has lost students.” The first deputy schools chancellor noted that West Prep Academy had lost families and students since the pandemic and now has an enrollment of about 170. Meanwhile, P.S. 145 has welcomed a substantial number of new students over the past two years, many arriving from Latin America and Eastern Europe, including Ukraine and Russia.
“We have a library, a dedicated music room, a film studio—all of which are so important for our kids, and we didn’t have any of this for more than three years,” said Anna Azvolinsky, P.S. 145 parent and PTA co-president. Previously, the school was so overcrowded that the only available space to provide IEP services—support and accommodations for students with disabilities, was in the hallway. Now, with more space, those challenges have been resolved.
Advertisement
With 500 students and 56 teachers, P.S. 145, a Title I school, serves a high percentage of low-income families. “We’re over 70% low income, 30% in temporary housing,” said Lauren Balaban, PTA co-president and Upper West Sider with two children enrolled at the school. Balaban shared that her team has raised nearly $200,000 since mid-2023 to sustain The Bloomingdale School’s enrichment programs. However, she noted they cannot ask the school’s families for contributions, as many are already struggling. The PTA is now working to raise an additional $17,000 to close the gap and keep after-school programs like chess, sports, and music running.
“All schools are struggling because there’s never enough money in public schools,” Balaban said. “But some communities are in a better place to fundraise within their school, so the fact that we got to where we need another $17,000 is incredible.” She credited getting corporate donation matches—which doubled or tripled contributions—as instrumental in raising nearly $200,000 so far.
“My daughters (4th and 2nd grade) have really taken to chess this year,” said P.S. 145 parent Deena Schwartz. Previously, their grandfathers on both sides of the family had tried to get them into the game, but they found the rules confusing and overwhelming. Now, through P.S. 145’s after-school chess program, the structure of the chess curriculum has them playing on the family chess set at home, unprompted. Schwartz added that her kids sometimes act like chess pieces on their walk to school—taking two steps, then turning, as they pretend to be knights. “It doesn’t help us get to school on time, but I’m glad they’re enjoying learning so much,” she said.
Advertisement
P.S. 145 offers both Spanish and Russian dual language programs. Margarita Nikalova, who has two children attending The Bloomingdale School, said that without the institution, she would have no choice but to homeschool. “While I initially sought a Russian dual-language program to maintain my children’s cultural heritage, I appreciate that P.S. 145 is a diverse and inclusive environment where every student is valued, regardless of their native language, financial background, race, or abilities,” she said. Nikalova credited Dr. Garcia and her team for working seamlessly together, which she believes is the core reason why students thrive at the school. “The school goes beyond academics by offering services for parents, families, and the broader community.”
The pandemic was undoubtedly challenging for P.S. 145, putting strain on their resources and facilities. However, like a beacon of light, the school exemplified human decency and compassion for those in need. Now, they are reaching out to the community to help raise $17,000 to meet their 2024/25 Direct Appeal goal.
To support vital programs like arts, STEM, and after-school enrichment, visit P.S. 145’S GoFundMe page.
Have a news tip? Send it to us here!
