NEW DESIGN MIDDLE SCHOOL

NEW DESIGN MIDDLE SCHOOL is a Title I public middle school that is part of the NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT # 5 school district, located in NEW YORK, NY with about 128 students offering grade levels from 6th Grade to 8th Grade. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 15 teachers, NEW DESIGN MIDDLE SCHOOL has a student/teacher ratio of about 8:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

NEW DESIGN MIDDLE SCHOOL (NDMS), located in the Manhattanville neighborhood of West Harlem, is a public school serving grades 6–8 that emphasizes a project-based, design-oriented approach to learning. Unlike traditional middle school models, NDMS integrates "design thinking" into its daily curriculum, encouraging students to solve real-world problems through creativity, collaboration, and iterative feedback. The school fosters a community-focused environment that prioritizes student voice, aiming to help adolescents navigate their development by applying design principles to both their academic work and their personal growth.

The school is noted for its commitment to social-emotional learning and its "small school" culture, which allows for closer relationships between students and faculty. By leveraging its location in New York City, NDMS frequently utilizes the city as a classroom, providing students with opportunities to engage with local organizations and professional designers. The school's philosophy is rooted in the belief that students are more successful when they are empowered to take ownership of their education, making it a popular choice for families looking for an alternative to conventional, test-heavy middle school environments.

For more information, contact NEW DESIGN MIDDLE SCHOOL at (212) 281-6339 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.