A Guide to Brownstoner's School Week

This week, students headed back to school, and Brownstoner had its first ever School Week! From borough-changing architects to converted schoolhouses, school rezonings to an interview with New York City Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña, Brownstoner traversed the borough to cover Brooklyn’s schools, past and present.

Walkabout: Six Brooklyn Buildings That Used to Be Schools

Brooklyn, city of churches, city of…repurposed school buildings! From the Henry Hulbert mansion, to the Loews Pitkin Theater, Brownstoner columnist Montrose Morris takes us on a tour of six Brooklyn buildings which either used to be schools, or are schools now.

Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña Kicks Off Back-to-School Week in Cobble Hill

Brownstoner caught up with longtime educator and current Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. Fariña visited Cobble Hill’s P.S. 29 and several other schools this week, in honor of the first day of school. She also found a spare moment to answer our questions about her own teaching experience, accomplishments as chancellor, and her youth in Brooklyn.

Walkabout: C.B.J. Snyder: New York City’s Master School Builder

C.B.J. Snyder is one of New York City’s great builders. As Superintendent of School Buildings from 1891 to 1898, Snyder was the architect of some of Brooklyn’s finest education institutions, including additions to Brooklyn’s oldest surviving school building, Erasmus Hall.

Building of the Day: 832 Marcy Avenue, Bedford Stuyvesant’s Boys High School

A look back on the origins and enduring appeal of Boys High School on Marcy Avenue in Bed Stuy, a favorite among history buffs and filmmakers alike.

Peek Inside a Converted Schoolhouse With a Storied Past in Prospect Heights

A former Prospect Heights schoolhouse is now apartments. Brownstoner got inside one lofted unit in the beautifully converted building and took photos. The owner, author of an acclaimed tween series, wrote about how she finds literary inspiration in her building’s mysterious past.

Photo via DUMBO Parents

A Look at Four Recent Brooklyn Elementary School Rezonings

School rezonings can be controversial (as with Park Slope’s P.S. 321) or they can be praised, and help alleviate overcrowding. A look at four recent rezonings of Brooklyn elementary schools.

Walkabout: A Guide to James W. Naughton, Master of Brooklyn School Architecture

We profiled prolific school builder James W. Naughton, who was responsible for constructing more than 100 schools in Brooklyn during his time as Superintendent of Buildings.