Achievement First East New York Elementary School

557 Pennsylvania Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11207
Phone: 718-485-4924
Fax: 718-342-5194

Opened: September 2005
Grades: K to four
Number of Students in 2009-10: 418
Student Demographics in 2009-10:
49% Boys, 51% Girls
99% African American or Hispanic
79% Qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch

Overview

At Achievement First East New York Elementary School, the cornerstone of the school culture is the value of team and family as embodied by the “wolf pack” (the school’s mascot is the wolf). Students earn their way into the pack by demonstrating citizenship, hard work and achievement. Teachers work hard to make sure parents are part of the pack, too. The school distributes a weekly parent newsletter and holds regular workshops on reinforcing aspects of the school program at home. Like other Achievement First schools, Achievement First East New York offers unique enrichment activities. Students can participate in kung-fu, basketball, yoga, track, step team, dance team, chorus, guitar club and African drumming. Last year, one classroom worked with an animation studio to develop the storyline, characters and dialogue for a short animated film.

School Leader

Hilary Cymrot is the principal of Achievement First East New York Elementary School, a role she transitioned to in July 2010 after serving as the school’s academic dean for three years. Mrs. Cymrot began her career in education as a Teach For America corps member, teaching third grade at CS 44 in the Bronx. She joined Achievement First in 2005 as a founding first-grade teacher at Achievement First East New York Elementary School. Mrs. Cymrot received a B.A. from Bowdoin College and a M.S.T. from Pace University. Mrs. Cymrot has been at Achievement First East New York Elementary School since its founding year, and she vows to work hard every day to help our students climb the mountain to college!