Our mission is to empower all students to become critical thinkers, to continuously develop our staff, and to engage and partner with our parents to create a high-achieving, safe, caring, and culturally diverse environment for ALL.
P.S. 273 is proudly rooted in the heart of East New York City—a neighborhood full of history, culture, and extraordinary talent. As our community continues to grow with new investments and opportunities, we stand as a beacon of learning, creativity, and hope for the future.
We are a Title I school family of 320 incredible scholars, each bringing energy, curiosity, and brilliance to our halls every day. Our vibrant student body reflects the beautiful diversity of New York City: 70% Black, 26% Hispanic, and 4% from other rich cultural backgrounds.
We are especially proud of our inclusive learning environment. With 26% of our students identified as having disabilities, we celebrate the unique strengths, voices, and perspectives each child contributes to our school community. At P.S. 273, every student belongs, every student is valued, and every student is empowered to shine.
📍 Location
923 Jerome Street, Brooklyn, NY 11207
(Between Wortman Ave. & Cozine Ave.)
Phone(718) 649-5739
🛡️ Visitor Policy
All visitors must present a valid ID and sign in at the security desk upon arrival. For the safety of our students, visitors are not permitted to loiter or chat in the hallways.
For safety reasons, visitors and guardians are only permitted in the Main Office and may not walk through the building unless escorted by a staff member.Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and focused learning environment for all students.
Join Tonight’s Community Education Council (CEC) Meeting!
📅 Wednesday, November 12, 2025
🕕 Calendar Meeting: 6:00 PM
🕢 Business Meeting: 7:30 PM
📍 P.S. 13 – 557 Pennsylvania Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11207
Community Education Councils (CECs) are made up of volunteer parents and community leaders who work together to support local schools and improve student achievement.
During Calendar Meetings, the Council listens to public comments, hears community concerns, and votes on key issues that affect our District 19 students.
🎤 All are welcome! Parents, students, and community members can attend and request speaking time to share their thoughts on education in our district.
Visit our CEC 19 website for updates and meeting
information at www.cecd19.org
Thanks to your commitment, our school reached an incredible 93% attendance on Nov. 5, 2025 — our first time surpassing 90% since the pandemic! This milestone reflects the dedication of our families, students, and staff who show up each day, helping us end chronic absenteeism and build a stronger foundation for success.
Parents Invited
Contact your teacher for the time slot.
Help raise funds for the holiday show!
At P.S. 273, student success is our top priority. From engaging classrooms to supportive programs and family partnerships, we provide every child with the tools, resources, and encouragement they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
At P.S. 273, our days are structured for learning, growth, and community spirit.
Daily Flow:
Lunchtime
Take advantage of our schools weekly parent-teacher appointments to connect, discuss progress, and support student success. 2:30-3:00 PM by phone or in-person according to teacher's availability.
Our Student of the Month Assembly is a high-energy celebration that shines a spotlight on excellence and growth! We recognize students with 100% attendance, those showing the most improvement, and entire classes that show up every day ready for success. The assembly is filled with upbeat music, dancing, and interactive games, with awards that light up and respond to movement — making the moment even more magical.
Parents are warmly invited to join in, cheer from the stands, and feel the joy of watching their children celebrated.
Twice a month, our Parent Workshop Series turns learning into a family adventure!
From creating inspiring vision boards, to whipping up delicious meals, to gathering in empowering women’s circles — we explore it all. We’ll dive into professional development for parents, share creative ways to make learning at home more fun, and connect families with services that help students thrive. Think of it as a mix of life skills, academic boosts, and community building — all designed to help our kids (and the grown-ups who love them) shine
✨ Seasonal Happenings at Wortman
At Wortman, learning goes far beyond the classroom. Throughout the year, students take part in seasonal field trips, in-school and off-site programs with partners like GEMS, MBK, and other community-based organizations. Our faculty knows that learning is boundless—not limited to the traditional bell schedule. We also invite workshop facilitators to introduce students to a wide range of topics, from arts, culture, dance, and fitness to academic enrichment and exploration.
LEARNING, EXPRESSION, ARTS, CULTURE, MEMORY
Each year, P.S. 273 bursts with school spirit, hosting a variety of events that bring students and families together. From our celebrated Spring Sustainable Fashion Show and Art Show, to our vibrant Juneteenth celebration in June, plus literacy nights, bingo fun, and so much more — there’s always something exciting happening to inspire, connect, and celebrate our community.
The fabric of our P.S. 273 leadership is by design. Our Principal, Melessa Avery, a Southern-born creative and dedicated child advocate, and seasoned New York City educator, is supported by two incredible leaders: Dr. Katia Jean-Jacques, a Haitian-born veteran NYC public school leader, and Assistant Principal Sekou Smith, a son of East New York who was born and raised in the very community where Wortman is located. Together, this trio brings warmth, vision, and a wealth of experience to every decision, inspiring students, teachers, and families alike to imagine, create, and thrive.
The most incredible testament to our story is teachers like Mr. Ellis, who retired in June 2025 after 30 years of dedicated service. He was once an elementary school student here, and his mother was an educator with us. Many other students have returned as teachers, and countless families continue enrolling their children to uphold our tradition of success. We are truly a community school, demonstrating that the power of the village still thrives—right here in East New York, in the great borough of Brooklyn, in the greatest city in the world
Imagination and self-expression are central to our school’s approach. Whether through the arts, dance, acting, robotics, STEM, or even cooking, we create programs that allow students to explore, dream, and build skills. Our goal is to help them imagine the future, embrace the possibilities ahead, and enjoy the joyful present they deserve.
Registration begins after we determine the student is zoned to our school and that our faculty can meet your child’s academic needs,
Dr. Tamra S. Collins, Superintendent
Irene K. Spence, Deputy Superintendent
Melessa Avery, Principal
Dr. Katia Jean-Jacques, Assistant Principal
Sekou Smith, Assistant Principal
Janice Perez, Parent Coordinator
