The Final Chapter: 5 Key Facts About City Knoll Middle School's Merger And Closure
The landscape of New York City's public education is constantly shifting, and as of the 2024-2025 school year, one notable institution, City Knoll Middle School (M.S. 933), has concluded its independent journey. This tiny, specialized middle school in Manhattan's District 2 has been the subject of significant news recently, culminating in a proposed merger with The Facing History School. This article, updated in December 2025, provides the definitive profile and the crucial context behind the school's closure, offering a deep dive into the factors that led to this major administrative decision by the NYC Public Schools.
City Knoll Middle School was known for its small class sizes and personalized approach, serving students in grades 6 through 8. While its educational philosophy emphasized hands-on learning and cultural trips, the school ultimately faced the challenge of persistent under-enrollment, a common issue for smaller schools in the competitive Manhattan district. The merger proposal, finalized in 2024, marks the end of an era for the M.S. 933 community and redirects its remaining students and resources into a new, progressive educational environment.
City Knoll Middle School: A Complete Profile and Biography
City Knoll Middle School, officially known as M.S. 933, was a small but distinct presence within the New York City Department of Education's District 2, a highly competitive and high-performing region. Its history, leadership, and operational structure paint a clear picture of a school attempting to thrive through personalized attention.
- Official Name: M.S. 933 | The City Knoll Middle School
- Location (Former): 440 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019 (Building M535)
- Geographic District: NYC Geographic District #2 (District 2)
- Grades Served: 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade
- Founding Principal: Victoria Armas (Served for four years after the school's founding)
- Final Principal: Kaye Kerr (Took the helm in 2017)
- Admissions Method: District 2 preference was given to applicants.
- Enrollment Size (Pre-Closure): Approximately 168 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: A notably low 9 to 1, reflecting its small size and personalized model.
- Educational Focus: Known for a hands-on, project-based curriculum that included frequent educational trips to major cultural institutions like the American Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
The Critical Context: Under-Enrollment and NYC School Mergers
The primary driver behind the dissolution of City Knoll Middle School's independent status was a sustained period of low enrollment. This challenge is not unique to M.S. 933; it is part of a broader trend where the NYC Department of Education (NYCDOE) quietly ramps up school mergers and closures, particularly for "tiny schools" that are deemed fiscally inefficient or academically struggling.
City Knoll, despite its favorable student-teacher ratio, was consistently cited as under-enrolled. A small student body, while offering a personalized learning environment, often leads to budgetary constraints and difficulties in offering a wide range of academic and extracurricular programs compared to larger neighboring institutions. This financial and logistical pressure is what ultimately led to the NYCDOE's intervention.
The school's ranking also played a role in the decision. Prior to the merger, data suggested City Knoll Middle School ranked poorly compared to other middle schools in New York, a factor that can deter new families from applying and exacerbate the under-enrollment problem.
Furthermore, City Knoll had a history of co-location controversy. It shared a building, M535, with other entities, including P.S. 111 Adolph S. Ochs. Co-location arrangements, where schools share facilities, often lead to tensions and logistical issues between the different school communities, particularly when middle school and elementary school students share space.
The 2024-2025 Merger: City Knoll and The Facing History School
The most significant and recent development for the school community was the official proposal and subsequent action to merge City Knoll Middle School (02M933) with The Facing History School (02M303). This administrative move was formally proposed by the NYCDOE in March 2024, with the goal of maintaining middle school grades in the area and consolidating resources.
The merger was slated to take effect for the 2024-2025 school year, effectively closing M.S. 933 as a standalone institution. The Facing History School, the receiving entity, is a 6th through 12th grade public school located in the heart of Hell's Kitchen.
A New Home: The Facing History School (02M303)
Students, staff, and programs from City Knoll Middle School were folded into The Facing History School, which has a distinct and progressive educational mission.
- Focus: The Facing History School encourages students to use historical events as a foundation for making informed decisions in their own lives, focusing on themes of social justice, ethics, and civic responsibility.
- Grades: It is a larger, combined middle and high school (6-12), serving over 450 students.
- Location: The Facing History School is located at 525 West 50th Street, though the merger proposal specifically places the combined entity in Building M535, the former City Knoll location on West 53rd Street.
- Continuity: This merger was designed to ensure that the students who preferred a smaller, District 2 middle school experience would have a viable option, albeit under a new name and administrative structure.
Topical Authority: Understanding NYC School Codes and Entities
To fully grasp the administrative complexity of this closure, it is helpful to understand the key entities and codes involved in the NYC Public School system:
- 02M933: The official school code for City Knoll Middle School.
- 02M303: The official school code for The Facing History School.
- District 2: One of the most competitive and well-regarded school districts in Manhattan, covering areas like Hell's Kitchen, Chelsea, and the Upper East Side. City Knoll's struggle highlights the intense pressure on schools within this district.
- Building M535: The physical building located at 440 West 53rd Street. This building was the site of the co-location issues and is the specified site for the merged middle school grades.
- Manhattan Youth: A key partner that previously ran the after-school program, sports teams, and school performances for City Knoll, providing a comprehensive, well-balanced extracurricular life. This organization often provides continuity during school transitions.
The Legacy of City Knoll Middle School (M.S. 933)
While City Knoll Middle School no longer operates as an independent entity, its legacy lies in its commitment to small class sizes and experiential learning. For a decade, it offered a tight-knit alternative to the larger middle schools in District 2. The decision to close and merge was a purely administrative one, driven by the realities of under-enrollment and budgetary efficiency within the NYCDOE system.
The students who attended M.S. 933 were part of a unique experiment in personalized education. Their transition to The Facing History School ensures they continue their education within a framework that values critical thinking and civic engagement. The story of City Knoll is a powerful reminder of the constant evolution of public education in a major metropolitan area and the challenges faced by smaller institutions in maintaining viability.
Parents and prospective students seeking information for the 2025-2026 school year should now direct their inquiries to The Facing History School (02M303) for middle school admissions within District 2, particularly those interested in the programs formerly associated with the City Knoll community.
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