It varies depending on how (and when) they are built.
If they're purpose-built, you'll expect to see red brick (often inexplicably painted maroon) or, for somewhat newer buildings, beige tiles. These are far from the only options, but they're the more common ones.
Three to five stories is typical, and they'll USUALLY have a schoolyard - but if they don't, elementary schools can apply to close off their street for a few hours during the day so kids can play there. Sports fields are less big and prominent than they are, I'm told, outside of the city, though, and it's not uncommon for schools to be without them entirely.
The cafeteria, gym, and auditorium (and even in newer elementary schools I think it's typical to see all three) will be apart from the offices, often in the basement. The offices will be the first rooms as you enter the main building.
Schools MAY have parking lots - but not for the students or their parents. It's assumed that if you live that far away, you have a MetroCard, usually a free, city-issued one. (Which, for some inane reason, is half-fare or full-fare depending on distance-from-school instead of on income.)
However, not all schools are purpose-built! It's not uncommon (certainly not in Manhattan!) to see a school taking up the first few floors of an office-building, or sharing space with another school.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2011-09-16 01:13 am (UTC)If they're purpose-built, you'll expect to see red brick (often inexplicably painted maroon) or, for somewhat newer buildings, beige tiles. These are far from the only options, but they're the more common ones.
Three to five stories is typical, and they'll USUALLY have a schoolyard - but if they don't, elementary schools can apply to close off their street for a few hours during the day so kids can play there. Sports fields are less big and prominent than they are, I'm told, outside of the city, though, and it's not uncommon for schools to be without them entirely.
The cafeteria, gym, and auditorium (and even in newer elementary schools I think it's typical to see all three) will be apart from the offices, often in the basement. The offices will be the first rooms as you enter the main building.
Schools MAY have parking lots - but not for the students or their parents. It's assumed that if you live that far away, you have a MetroCard, usually a free, city-issued one. (Which, for some inane reason, is half-fare or full-fare depending on distance-from-school instead of on income.)
However, not all schools are purpose-built! It's not uncommon (certainly not in Manhattan!) to see a school taking up the first few floors of an office-building, or sharing space with another school.