The image of a lighthouse in the stained-glass window over the entrance to PS/IS 66 is supposed to refer to District 18's nickname as "the Beacon district." But it could easily refer to the school itself, which attracts families looking for a place where all children are treated and taught as if they were in gifted classes.

That attitude starts with Joel Rubenfeld, who headed gifted programs in District 18 before he became principal when PS/IS 66 opened in 2003. The school was created to take in children from overcrowded district schools, and many parents thought it would serve only students who tested into gifted programs. Instead, it is open to kids at all levels from families willing to be challenged.

What this means is that teachers encourage independent thinking and an understanding of the "whys" of what they teach. Rubenfeld sometimes pops impromptu quizzes on students in the lunchroom. "My biggest challenge is getting students to be accountable for their learning," he said.

Students' emotional development is also nurtured. There are monthly award assemblies highlighting students not just for academic achievements, but for attendance and "random acts of kindness." Monthly, one student is chosen for the Principal's Club and becomes principal for a day. The student council also meets with the principal monthly to propose and plan school activities such as a winter dance.

The new building sprawls over a large lot that includes basketball and tennis courts as well as two playgrounds and a garden. The tradeoff for space is the location next to a heavy industrial area, bordered by heavily trafficked Rockaway Parkway. The school, opened with a pre-K to 6th grade program, was originally planned as an elementary school. It has plenty of room, however, and in fall 2004 added a 7th grade. An 8th grade will be introduced in the 2005-2006 school year.

Although kids of different ages mix during lunch, middle schoolers have a longer day eight periods instead of seven. All students take Spanish; for 7th graders, the language is a major subject. In the classes we saw, kids seemed eager to tackle complex subjects. One 7th grade class calculated the areas of complex figures. Another class discussed the meaning of the word "façade."

Because the school is new, Rubenfeld was able to hand-pick teachers and mold them to his philosophy of instruction. But the youth of the school also means that PS/IS 66 has many inexperienced instructors, nine first-year teachers in 2004 alone.

The school has an involved and active parent association, which has helped fund a Friday afternoon club hour for 5th and 6th graders. The children can take part in dance, drama, science, and board games. The dynamic parent coordinator, M. Anthony Baker, is of West Indian origin, as are most of the families at the school. A PTA president at PS 276 and a teacher in his home country of Jamaica, Baker shows up on students' home doorsteps when he cannot reach their parents on the phone.

Although the school already has a good base for arts instruction the art room, music room, and dance studio are all well supplied, Rubenfeld would like to use a New York State arts grant to expand arts education, adding enough resources to allow talented students to develop a specialization in arts.

Special education: There are three "self-contained" classes (children with special needs only), in grades 1-2, 3-4, and 6-7. "Inclusion" classes, where children with special needs and children in general education learn side-by-side, can be found at each grade level.

Admissions: Only children from District 18 overcrowded schools can apply.

After school: There are academic and recreational activities including sports, visual arts, and dance twice a week for grades 3-7. (This book is featured in New York City's Best Public Elementary Schools. Carolina González, January 2005)