We are a Pre-K through 5 city school with a suburban feel located in a neighborhood of garden apartments and the Queens County Farm Museum, the only working historical farm in New York City. Our "little school with a big heart" is home to about 350 students and 100 staff members. Our school is known for its warm, inclusive atmosphere that distinguishes us from many city schools.
It is our pleasure to welcome everyone back for the 2023-2024 school year! We are all so very excited to have students back in our classrooms filling them with energy and enthusiasm for learning. It is our mission at PS 186 to make every child feel welcomed, connected and part of our Castlewood family. Additionally, we strive to challenge each student to grow in their own academic and social capabilities. We can say first hand that at Castlewood we have great teachers who thoughtfully plan out their lessons and classroom activities that will fully engage your child on this year’s journey to the next grade.
We are dedicated to helping our students grow into culturally responsive, emotionally stable, academically proficient citizens as they engage in rigorous learning opportunities. In order to support all students, we will bolster instruction in all classrooms and ensure that every student acquires, and every parent/guardian understands, advanced literacy skills by creating equitable learning opportunities for culturally and linguistically diverse students. We will provide a welcoming and affirming environment, high expectations, rigorous instruction, inclusive curricula, and assessments through ongoing professional learning and support as well as family engagement opportunities.