young latina girl focused and painting with young Black girl and other students in background enjoying art class
Logo of PS 256 Benjamin Banneker Magnet School of Architecture and Engineering. Simplified Brooklyn Bridge design with blue and purple sky behind.

Explore with us.

3K to 5th Grade

View our new Parent & Guardian Corner with easy-to-find answers to your questions!

older student at desk, smiling in his school uniform in friendly, sunlit classroom

Discovering the world from the heart of Bed-Stuy

We are an innovative 3K to 5th Grade public school in the vibrant neighborhood of Bedford-Styuvesant, Brooklyn.

Our focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art/Architecture and Math) was inspired by our namesake, Benjamin Banneker, who was a Black astronomer, naturalist, surveyor, and almanac author.

Our project-based curriculum challenges students to solve creative, real world problems. Students explore STEAM units of study as well as social justice issues relevant to their daily lives. We enrich this learning with imaginative partnerships with some of New York City’s most creative organizations.

grinning girl in hijab holding multicolored hoola hoops in the school gym
Black girl with glasses reading aloud to her classmate at their desks

Guided by our Core Values: Collaboration, Community, Equity & Joy

Collaboration: working together to achieve the best possible outcomes for all of our students 

Community: honoring the rich legacy of activism, self-determination, and pride that shaped the Bed-Stuy community and providing exposure to the larger world of NYC

Equity: ensuring that our students get what they need and that their voices are lifted in all that we do

Joy: finding moments to celebrate each other, our students, and our love of learning 

Black female teacher smiling at young Black student as she participates in class, with world Atlas and maps in the background

Vibrant Partnerships

Our diverse partnerships deepen student learning and enrich the school day with hands-on explorations led by city-wide educators. We are continually developing partnerships and are proud to be partnering with Studio in a School, Asphalt Green, the Salvadori Center, COOKFOX Architecture, Liberty Science Center, City Technology, and Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet.

Field trip to the beautiful offices of COOKFOX Architecture in Manhattan. A young black architect listens to a boy’s answer, among small building models.

Photos of PS 256 field trip by Alex Ferrec + COOKFOX Architects

Accessibility Statement

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