Parents raise concerns over proposed changes at P.S. 76 in Harlem

HARLEM, Manhattan (PIX11) -- Parents in Harlem are outraged over proposed plans to transform P.S. 76 from an elementary school to a sixth through 12th grade school.

Parents and school alumnae voiced their frustration at a town hall meeting Wednesday amid fears that proposed changes could push current students out. Daviena Dewar, whose daughter attends P.S. 76, is alarmed by plans to convert the campus -- potentially displacing the current kindergarten through 5th graders. She said the move would force her to enroll her daughter in a school further away.

"It would be way further," Dewar said. "I would have to put her in downtown. Somewhere in a District Three school because to be honest, they know that all of our schools are not doing so well. That's why they're trying to do that."

Marion Harris is an alumna of the school who fears the disruption and displacement the plan could cause to young learners and their families, amid other concerns.

"This school has 3K," said Harris. "We see that there has been a large enrollment for 3K, so with them closing this school, that's one less 3K and pre-k that we have."

According to a document given to parents, school officials are citing low enrollment as the reason for the proposed school transformation. With parents adamant about protecting the school from conversion, they said they have been voicing their opposition to school officials and the city's Department of Education. Alumnae like Fonta Ballo are now vowing to do whatever it takes to help boost the school's enrollment.

"That can be fixed," Ballo said. "We can do community outreach. We can get out there. We can let people know that enrollment is all year round. We can let people know that you can come in and enroll your kids."

PIX11 reached out to the DOE for comment but is still waiting to hear back. If approved, the plan will go into effect in the 2025-2026 school year.