Welcome to Downtown Elementary School

Brooklyn Prospect Downtown Elementary is a special place. We are an intentionally diverse school where all are committed to meeting and supporting the needs of our community. With our core values of Care, Curiosity, Persistence, and Passion, and a curriculum built around the pillars of the International Baccalaureate program, we persist in the pursuit of this goal, knowing that the power of connection is how we begin to change the world — one student, one family at a time.

When parents and family members think about “the right school,” we all have our own definition of what that means. For some, school brings fond memories, warm feelings, feelings of worth, and acceptance. For others, the school experience left something to be desired. At DTES, we want school to be where our children become expert learners who can learn and grow academically, socially, and emotionally. School should be a transformational experience for all members of our community.

We serve students at DTES by incorporating empowering, culturally relevant learning opportunities with small group instruction and cooperative learning. We provide a comprehensive literacy curriculum that exposes our students to real-world content, building the skills and knowledge they need to form a sturdy educational foundation. At DTES, we want our students to see themselves as mathematicians, working cooperatively and independently to make meaning of mathematical concepts through exploration, valuing process over product, and understanding how math is useful in everyday life. We believe that people, both students, and adults, learn in different ways and that it is our job to meet them where they are, with care. DTES teachers are given agency to adapt and enhance instruction because we do not believe education is “one size fits all.” Similarly, our teaching models allow for more individualized instruction, balancing high standards and high support in a nurturing environment with warm rigor. We teach students to look at the world critically, using their voices to advocate for themselves and others, understanding that advocacy plays a crucial role in establishing and maintaining an equitable environment.

As a diverse-by-design school, we are constantly reminded of the importance of exposure; we learn from being together and learning together, understanding that our experiences impact our actions and the way we see the world. We are working on creating an environment where we can truly see ourselves, blind spots and all, embracing and pushing through the discomfort that comes with equity and diversity and knowing that we all do the best we can with what we know.

Welcome to Brooklyn Prospect: A city on a hill located in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn. We appreciate and welcome all that you bring.

In partnership,

Folake Akinola-Pinard
Downtown Elementary School Principal