Full Breakdown
Manhattan School’s Race-Based “Listening Circles” Prompt Legal and Community Debate
6/11/2026, 10:49:45 PM
Race-Based Listening Circles at P.S. 003 Charrette School
On June 16, P.S. 003 Charrette School in Manhattan will hold “Listening Circles” that group parents and staff by race. The website lists sign-ups for “White-identifying PS3 community members” and for “BIPOC Folks – educators, staff, parents and caregivers who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latinx/Hispanic, Asian, and other people of color.” Sessions are run with Liberation Spaces, which describes its work as promoting “equity and liberation.”
Background & Key Actors
P.S. 003 describes itself as a “charrette” school emphasizing brainstorming. The affinity-group format follows a trend of race-focused initiatives in city schools after the 2020 protests sparked by George Floyd’s killing. Participants include Liberation Spaces (consultant), United Jewish Teachers (president Moshe Spern), and the Equal Protection Project, founded by Cornell professor William Jacobson. Principal Hillary Casado declined comment; a spokesperson for Chancellor Kamar Samuels said the PTA, not the district, organized the event.
Official Statements & Responses
DOE spokesperson Chyann Tull said NYC public schools remain focused on fostering welcoming, inclusive environments and clarified the event was organized by the PTA; principal Hillary Casado declined comment.
Criticism & Legal Concerns
The race-based separation may breach federal civil-rights statutes. William Jacobson of the Equal Protection Project called the practice “offensive” and “unlawful,” citing the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision that barred segregation and warning that separating faculty could violate employment law. Moshe Spern, president of United Jewish Teachers, said the approach “doesn’t build community. Instead, it divides and isolates families,” urging inclusive dialogue for the Jewish community.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
School website lists the Listening Circles as a Charrette Planning Committee initiative, while the DOE spokesperson says the PTA organized it. Analysts note the school and city could be liable if they promote or facilitate a program that violates anti-segregation law, though no formal investigation has been announced.
Why It Matters
The dispute highlights tension between equity initiatives that use race-based grouping and legal limits on segregation in public education. Federal scrutiny of a City University of New York program suggests similar school efforts may face civil-rights investigations, potentially shaping inclusion policies in New York City schools.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Segregating public school parents by race or ethnicity is not only offensive, it’s also unlawful,” — William Jacobson, Cornell University law professor, Equal Protection Project
- “That doesn’t build community. Instead, it divides and isolates families,” — Moshe Spern, president, United Jewish Teachers
- “New York City Public Schools remains focused on fostering welcoming, inclusive environments where all students and families feel respected and supported. This event was organized by the school’s PTA,” — Chyann Tull, Department of Education spokesperson
- “Race can never play a role when deciding how to distribute educational resources or opportunities,” — Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General
What’s Next
The Justice Department’s civil-rights probe of a City University of New York program suggests scrutiny of the PS3 Listening Circles, and legal experts anticipate lawsuits if the program proceeds unchanged.
