Mayor Adams, Chancellor Aviles Ramos Announce Historic New Inclusive Early Childhood Center in Brooklyn to Open This Fall

June 4, 2025

New School Model Launching at P.S. 6 Will House First AIMS Program in Central Brooklyn

NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles Ramos today announced a first-ever inclusive early childhood education center, also known as an annex, for children in general education classes and for children with autism and other disabilities in Flatbush, Brooklyn that will open for the 2025-2026 school year. P.S. 6’s new annex will serve students with autism and other special education needs from pre-K through second grade, and will feature the district’s first-ever AIMS classrooms, a special education program for students with autism focused on acquisition, integrated services, meaningful communication, and social skills. A general education 3-K program will also be offered. The annex will be housed in a newly constructed, state-of-the-art building that is fully-equipped to serve the unique needs of the student population it will support. In year one, the school will open with general education 3-K, a mixed integrated general and special education pre-K class, and a kindergarten AIMS class. The program will expand over the next two years to include AIMS classes for first and second grades, creating a full 3-K through second grade continuum by the 2027-2028 school year.  

“Our administration is committed to meeting the needs of every child, which is why we’re proud to announce the opening of School District 17’s first-ever special education annex at P.S. 6 right in Flatbush, Brooklyn,” said Mayor Adams. “Opening for the 2025–2026 school year, this new, state-of-the-art facility will help ensure families of children with special needs receive the support they deserve — no matter their ZIP code. The annex will feature the district’s first dedicated classrooms for our autistic learners, as well as a general education 3-K program and an integrated pre-K class, providing students with the individualized support they need from the very beginning of their educational journey and helping make New York City the best place to raise a family.”

“We strongly believe in providing students individualized support that honors their unique learning journey,” said Public Schools Chancellor Aviles-Ramos. “By investing in specialized learning environments with trained and supportive educators, we not only address immediate needs but also lay the foundation for lifelong success. I look forward to seeing how this program will empower our youngest learners in Brooklyn to reach their full potential.” 

This initiative represents the tangible impact of Mayor Adams’ recent $55 million permanent investment in preschool special education and underscores the Adams administration’s ongoing commitment to creating inclusive and supportive learning environments for every public-school student. 

“The P.S. 6 annex represents a significant advancement in our commitment to create truly inclusive educational spaces across the city,” said New York City Public Schools Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning (DIAL) Deputy Chancellor Christina Foti. “This initiative builds upon our already successful programs, like Nest Horizon and Path, which consistently demonstrate that when we provide appropriate supports, our students thrive. We are committed to removing educational barriers and creating access to high-quality, responsive education because all children are our children and their success is our collective responsibility.” 

“This is a powerful example of what’s possible when we center children’s needs in every decision — and when early childhood, special education, and community partners come together with a shared purpose,” said New York City Public Schools Division of Early Childhood Education Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins. “We know how critical the early years are, especially for children with disabilities, and this new site affirms our deep commitment to meeting every child where they are and ensuring they have the tools and support to thrive from the very start.”

“As a former educator at P.S. 6 for over two decades and now serving as chair of the education committee, I’m proud to support this historic initiative in early childhood special education," said New York City Councilmember Rita Joseph, chair, Committee on Education. "The new special education annex at P.S. 6 in Flatbush represents a major step forward in making sure our children with autism and other developmental needs get the services and support they deserve starting as early as pre-K. Programs like AIMS, which focus on communication, social skills, and integrated learning, are game changers for our families. I look forward to working alongside the administration, Chancellor Avilés-Ramos, and our school communities to ensure this new center opens its doors with the care, resources, and excellence all of our children deserve.”

The opening of the P.S. 6 annex will result in an increase of seats for District 17, including 15 new general education 3-K seats, eight new pre-K special education seats in integrated classes, 14 new pre-K special education seats in specialized classes, and 18 new kindergarten to second grade AIMS seats for children with autism by 2027-2028. The P.S. 6 annex will offer a range of classroom settings, including self-contained special education classes, integrated co-teaching classes, and specialized AIMS classrooms. Each learning environment will be led by educators specially trained to support children with autism and other learning differences. 

This announcement builds on the Adams administration’s commitment to supporting students with disabilities through a series of initiatives and programs, including investing in the Autism Nest, Horizon, and Path programs; the creation of DIAL to ensure all teachers acquire the skills necessary to meet the diverse needs of learners across New York City; pioneering nation-leading mandated dyslexia screening for all students and opening the first-ever public school dedicated to supporting students with dyslexia and other print-based learning disabilities; partnering with the Special Olympics New York to offer unified sports to over 2,100 students with and without disabilities; and publishing the first report from the Chancellor’s Special Education Advisory Council to guide future efforts.