The high reading and math scores tell the story of how well we teach the skills our children need in order to succeed in the complex world of the future. Our success has been documented in RESULTS with OPEN COURT READING, a report developed by McGraw-Hill Education in collaboration with The Business Roundtable Education Initiative and the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Our focus is academic excellence for all students.

P.S. 161 has special gifted and talented classes for K-5. The Crown School for Law and Journalism is designed for the academically gifted in grades 6, 7, and 8, offering a Regent course in Living Environment.

We are particularly proud of our Principal's Reading Club. Our students are motivated to read through the Principal's Reading Club.  Children in all grades are encouraged to come and read to the principal.  They receive a pin and certificate stating their membership in the club.

A student reads fluently to Mrs. Barrett to become part of The Principal's Reading Club.

The student has received his certificate and his "Principal's Reading Club Membership Pin."

The next student reads beautifully to Mrs. Barrett to join the club! She also went home with a certificate and pin.

P.S. 161 offers before and after-school activities, a yearbook, African dance, The Crown School Student Run Bookstore, art, chorus, piano, steel band, chess, newspaper, and debate.

We have established partnerships with Medgar Evers College, Prospect Park Alliance, Legal Lives, City Harvest, March of Dimes, BCUE (Brooklyn Center for Urban Environment), St. Jude's and Common Cents Penny Harvest.

Parents and school collaborate and give support to each other in end-of-term special activities e.g. "graduation" senior trip, fund raising activities, e.g. school pictures, candy sales, parent workshops (technology, reading, math), parent volunteers, safety patrol, school trips and Learning Leaders.