The best kept secret located in District 16 is the  Autism Spectrum Disorder program, widely known as the ASD Nest program.  This program is housed at P.S. 26/The Jesse Owens School. Presently, the program serves students in Kindergarten, grade 1, 3 and 4. In the school year 2019 - 2020 we will be serving students from Kindergarten to grade 5.  The ASD Nest program is a specialized program that serves students with autism. The goal of the ASD Nest program is to help student performing at or above grade level. Within the  ASD Nest Program, students learn how to function well - academically, behaviorally, and socially- in school and their community. The idea of a "nest" is a nurturing home that provides structure, support, and services in order to succeed in inclusive settings." (Teaching Exceptional Children, 2009). The program is a partnership between the DOE and New York University’s (NYU) ASD Nest Support Project.

Another well kept secret is the Gifted & Talented (G&T) program at P.S. 26. Our school pioneered the program which started in 2016 with 3rd Graders. We now serve Gifted and Talented students from grades 3-5  from various districts. There are numerous advantages for students associated with this program; it allows more creativity; it differentiates for students of varying ability levels and interests; motivates under achieving gifted students and creates a passion for learning.  Unlike other Gifted and Talented Programs, our program starts in grade 3 and move as one cohort to grade 5.  Our program is culturally, linguistically and economically diverse that serves students with superior innate aptitudes and outstanding learned capabilities.

Mark DeGarmo Dance (MDD) is a leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that educates New York City communities and children; creates, performs and disseminates original artistic and scholarly work; and promotes intercultural community though dance arts. Dance and arts teaching and learning, when integrated throughout the daily school curricula, support students’ multidimensional achievement. Our “evidence-based” dance and literacy model helps support the growth and achievement of young people from economically challenged backgrounds.

Using choral repertoire from the operatic canon as well as different cultures, genres, and time periods, this program builds music literacy, text comprehension, and listening skills. Students also explore rhythm, pitch, harmony, and notation through performance. The program is designed to foster connections with existing classroom curriculum. Guild Artists facilitate weekly, year-long choral instruction utilizing an approach grounded in Common Core Learning Standards. Students have the opportunity to perform for one another and the community throughout the year.

The Afro Latin Jazz Alliance (ALJA) is a year-long residency program dedicated to providing instrument and ensemble instruction to committed students throughout New York City.  Under the artistic direction of Arturo O’Farrill, ALJA supplies instruments and music instruction –including instrumental music and music theory– to students in New York City public schools at no cost to the students, providing them with Grammy award winning instructors and top performing musicians, such as lead trumpeter Jim Seeley of the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra.

The Department of Education was awarded a 21^st Century Community Learning Center (21^st CCLC) grant to support the Community Schools strategy. The Community School District 16 21^st CCLC program at PS 26 is dedicated to enriching the educational, social and cultural opportunities of students and families in the communities served by our District. After school programming and additional youth development opportunities establishes and implements structured activities designed to encourage attendance, improve behavior, and increase student performance.  The afterschool program operates from 2:30 pm–5:30 pm Monday–Friday for grades 1-5. Students have the opportunity to participate in academic and enrichment activities, as selected by families. Activities include  Visual Arts, Drama, Reading, Math, Technology, homework help, leadership skills and conflict resolution, Dance, Sports, Cooperative games, and Martial Arts. A nutritious snack is served each day.