M.S. 297 / 75 Morton

Founded in 2017, 75 Morton is a small middle school in Manhattan’s West Village that values curiosity, hands-on projects, and group work. Students dissect frogs in science, take part in economic trade simulations, work with 3D printers, and discuss real-world events. Small advisory groups and peer mediation support social and emotional growth.

The school serves students with a wide range of academic abilities and backgrounds. It has a screened program for top-performing elementary students, preparing them for Algebra I and Biology Regents exams. Some students arrive two or three grade levels behind, so teachers focus on building up literacy and math skills.

One of the hallmarks of the school is its strong social studies program, which encourages students to explore topics in depth. In one unit of study, 6th-graders examine artifacts from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to explore and explain key aspects of Ancient Egyptian civilization. They Imagine how the items might be displayed in the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza if returned to Egypt. The project culminates in a multi-step research paper and a final presentation, where parents are invited to a classroom 'museum' to showcase students’ work.

All students take three electives. In STEAM (Science, Technology, Arts, Engineering and Math) they explore science and math through hands-on projects in the hydroponics lab, 3D printing studio, and on the green roof. In visual arts, they create in drawing, painting, sculpture, and fashion. In library arts, they learn research and digital skills, and how to navigate the online world responsibly.

Staff and leaders at 75 Morton have strengthened school culture in recent years, though there’s still work to do with attendance. New students are paired with older buddies, and all students meet weekly in small advisory groups to discuss friendships, current events, online life, peer pressure, and problem-solving. Some students train as peer mediators, and the school’s comfort dog, Bea, is always nearby to support students.

The afterschool program offers a wide range of clubs, sports, and creative classes. All activities are free, open to all students, include snacks, and run daily from 3 to 6 pm.

75 Morton supports its many English learners in both English and their home language. Students receive small-group instruction, visual aids, and guided activities, with more advanced English learners helping classmates. The school places student teachers who speak their home languages in classrooms to complement support from bilingual staff. Support for students with disabilities includes special education services, co-taught classes, and small classes of about 12 students with a teacher (and sometimes an assistant).

Some students face challenges with regular attendance. The school's attendance team works closely with families, providing transportation passes, medical and other essential resources, and clothing drives to help students stay engaged and attend school regularly.

The school’s modern building features a full cafeteria, a library, and a “gymnatorium” (gym and auditorium). It also includes three science labs, a rooftop garden, art and music rooms, multiple small-group project and reading spaces, and an outdoor play yard. (Lydie Raschka, interview and official reports, Nov. 2025)