The proposed plan to relocate The Center School (MS 243) ("Center") and simultaneously dissolve the middle school at The Riverside School for Makers and Artists (PS/IS 191) ("RSMA") has sparked considerable concern among families and stakeholders within District 3, New York City. This plan threatens to dismantle The Center School's unique mixed-grade school culture and its innovative curriculum. As concerned parents and supporters, it is vital that we voice our opposition to this decision and demand that the NYC Department of Education ("DOE") engage in meaningful dialogue with the community before any relocation decisions are made.

The Center School, renowned for its distinctive approach to education, offers an inclusive, mixed-grade environment that fosters collaboration, critical thinking, and a sense of community among students. Its curriculum is specifically designed to support a wide range of learning styles, and the school's environment is integral to delivering this educational approach effectively. Relocating the school to a location that does not have common spaces like an outdoor school yard and an auditorium that can accommodate the entire student body could irreparably damage the fabric of this well-established educational model, disrupting not only the current students but also the incoming classes for years to come. 

Issue

We, the families of The Center School and other stakeholders in District 3, strongly oppose the proposed plan to relocate Center and simultaneously dissolve the middle school at The Riverside School for Makers and Artists.

The Center School parents demand meaningful engagement and transparency from the DOE before any relocation decision is made. Families must be included as full partners in the process - our voices and experiences are essential to shaping any viable plan for the future of The Center School.

We also call for an immediate pause on any relocation plans until at least the 2028-2029 school year. There must be no move by the 2026-2027 school year, as families have already missed the middle school admissions deadline and planned their lives based on The Center School’s current location. Moreover, purportedly this move is due to the need for the currently co-located elementary school, PS 9, to meet classroom size limits. Under the Classroom Size Law, 100% compliance is not required until September 2028, negating any need for a rushed relocation. 

Families, teachers, and students deserve a thorough, transparent review of all options that preserve the success of The Center School - an inclusive school where students are admitted by lottery, not screened by grades; where students are not tracked by performance or different abilities; where the entire student body interact daily in mixed grade classrooms, schoolwide lunch and recess, and multiple schoolwide theatrical performances and assemblies. 

It is critical to the integrity of the process for the DOE to act with transparency, and keep all families and stakeholders fully apprised of all work-in-progress proposals and developments in a timely manner throughout the planning process. 

Overwhelming Opposition to the Proposed Move

In January 2026, shortly after The Center School staff visited The Riverside School for Makers and Artists, a community survey of The Center School families found that an overwhelming majority (96%) oppose the relocation. Parents want to keep the school in its current location and to participate directly in any future discussions or planning.

Background

The proposed relocation process has lacked transparency, timely communication, and regard for students’ academic and emotional well-being. Families first learned of it through rumors in fall 2025, and not from the DOE.

The move threatens everything that makes Center unique:

• 9- to 14-year olds learning together in inclusive, mixed-grade classrooms
• 5th through 8th graders interacting and bonding in schoolwide lunch and recess
• Entire student body learning theatre arts and producing multiple theatrical performances attended by the entire parent and local community
• Rigorous academics and a nurturing, small-school culture
• Exceptional educators and stable leadership
• A diverse, equitable lottery admissions system
• A proven track record of supporting students of color and special education learners
• The Center School’s location is foundational to its 40-year success and strong community identity

Moverover, current students who may oppose the move were not notified (still have not been formally notified) of the relocation in time to apply to a different school for next year. Incoming students have no idea that the school to which they applied after careful consideration of the school model and location will be relocated. 

Our Requests

• Pause any relocation until at least the 2028-2029 school year, with an absolute guarantee that no move will occur before then, due to closed admissions cycles.
• Engage families meaningfully and consistently in all planning discussions going forward.
• Preserve The Center School’s mixed-grade school culture, 5th-8th grades, and curriculum by finding a building that supports the unique curriculum.
• Ensure full transparency from DOE and District 3 leadership throughout the process.
• Allow the parent-led committee at least one year to explore realistic, community-informed space options.

Current Status

Despite increasing pressure to relocate to the The Riverside School for Makers and Artists building, The Center School families still lack information from the DOE. No one from the DOE has yet to communicate with our parent community to provide what locations were under consideration, what other locations are possible, what factors based on The Center School’s unique needs and benefits were prioritized. We were told that planning remains "preliminary” and “exploratory” only to be told a few weeks later that a location has been selected and the move is imminent, leaving families and students in a state of uncertainty and anxiety. 

How You Can Help

• Sign our petition to support community involvement and a relocation pause.
• Join our committee to help explore viable space solutions.
• Participate in our letter writing campaign to key DOE and city/state officials.

Our children are not numbers - they are students, dreamers, and members of a thriving community who deserve stability and respect. Our school is not a thing that can be moved here and there without serious consideration to the core principles that make it special: a building that supports schoolwide, mixed grade interaction and learning from start to end of the day, every day. 

We urge you to sign this petition to show your support for the a pause on the rushed relocation efforts so that parents can engage with the DOE to search for a location that fits the unique Center School curriculum. Together, we can ensure that both schools continue to thrive and serve the students of District 3 effectively.

** PLEASE NOTE THAT DONATIONS MADE ON THIS PLATFORM DOES NOT GO TO THE CENTER SCHOOL. INSTEAD, THE DONATIONS GO TO CHANGE.ORG**