Overall, your child can learn really well at the school. They tend to perform above state level and…read morethe infrastructure is clean. However, the school only seems to care about academics and push the kids until they approach burn out at a very young age. The work is higher than their level and the work load is extensive so the kids become frustrated very early on. There is homework every day and even during holiday breaks. There's no room for the child to be a child (I.e play, make friends, interact, laugh, etc.). They are not allowed to talk or even laugh. Recess and lunch is crammed into one hour and even then they're not allowed to speak to each other because you have to keep your "volume at zero." There are no real extracurricular activities and everything is strict and rigid. Even when they make it seem like they're doing something fun, it's just more academic stuff. If you want your child to be enrolled in a mini bootcamp that performs well academically it's a good fit. Conversely, there's no room for social emotional learning. Many of the teachers also speak to the children anyhow and out of frustration because i believe they too are burnt out as evidenced by the low retention rate. There's literally 1-4 teachers there that actually speak to the kids kindly. You better be able to fall in line and perform well if you want to survive there. Parents feel disconnected from the school because of the lack of warmth but complaints just fall on deaf ears. Despite feeling frustrated, many of us just stay because we believe it's the better alternative to the public schools in the area. Wouldn't really recommend.

Ascend prioritizes making its numbers and data look good over creating a great learning environment…read morefor children. While I do not feel this is necessarily maliciously intended, the fact that the school treats its teachers as disposable (one classroom had 6 teachers cycle out over the year) and only sees students through the scores they get on their tests was greatly upsetting to me. When I interviewed for Ascend, I was upfront that I had not taught in a classroom. I asked to be an associate teacher working under another teacher and to have regular training. They agreed to this, but when the time came, I taught 6 classes with 25 - 30 five to seven year olds in each. I was in charge of teaching science, a subject I had never taught, and implementing a curriculum based on Ascends' expectations. Moreover, I was joining in January, replacing another teacher. The training was minimal and by the time I understood what I was supposed to be doing at Ascend, they were already reviewing who they wanted to return for next year. I was not surprised or exceptionally upset when they told me I was not being asked back, but the way they treated teachers far more skilled than I was, was incredibly disheartening. Overall, I am reviewing Ascend because their style of education isn't something most people would want. They advertise "joy" and "boundless choice" but they do not lead their school that way.

the teachers were weird and to restrictive of my child my child always said they didn't have a good…read moretime and that they wanted to change back to their old school just an overall bad expirence

The teacher to student ratio of is incredible! Last year there were three full time teachers for 16…read morechildren and this year two full time teachers for 12 students. The QUALITY of the teachers is unbeatable. My daughter has bloomed into a voracious reader and someone who can't wait to go to school! The workshops they offer to support parents shows their commitment to educating the whole family. The Co-op School is simply the best.

Hello, I am a former student who went to IS30. I actually graduated with some of my friends. Some…read morewho have been in the building since kindergarten, like me. Some of the teachers and staff are all really nice and kind to students. Especially my old 8th grade ELA teacher, who went to go teach at another school. And some of the friends I made I still keep in touch with! However, some of the other students and staff aren't -- but especially the staff. An example of this would be the dean, Ms. Guzman. For starters, she's a control freak who used to be a gym teacher for a little while. I don't think she has what it takes to be a dean because there was a time where last year when she would stand outside in the hallway of the 3rd floor with a bucket of phones she'd collected from kids who: A, came in late and didn't turn in their phones or B, were trying to be sneaky. Sometimes she'd go to every classroom with the bucket of phones and see if kids have any other phones they didn't turn in. She'd also apparently went through a kid's phone after an incident with an "egg challenge" (which, the kid wasn't even apart of and that's a breach of privacy). A lot of the problems come from the piss-poor management of fights between two students. Most of the time the adult tries to make sure the students apologize to each other, which they aren't supposed to do according to my aunt who works at the DOE. On the subject of not doing things correctly, they also immediately side with the kid who came to them. Which means a kid could come to the teacher with a fabricated story, and the teacher would believe them with little to no investigation involved other then basic questioning if the suspect. Another thing, Deans at psis30 are horrid at calling out blatant racist, homophobic, and transphobic remarks. Multiple times slurs have been thrown around and the most they got were a fingerwag. Most of the time it's up to the teachers to call this out. Speaking of calling these things out, this school is majorly hypocritical when you try to come to a higher power about these things. Most of the time telling you to " just ignore it. ". They only start to care when the kids start to get physical. And they have. Adults also promised kids things they never delivered on, say for example, you went to a adult about somebody being mean, they would simply tell you that they would deal with it and to " just ignore it. ". If they say thing one of two things will happen, either they will tell the bully to not go near you, or, just won't do anything at all. This isn't how you deal with cases like these in the slightest. You can't just pretend it doesn't exist. The staff doesn't care unless it's to a extreme degree. And even then, if the opposite party says one negative thing about you, despite everything they've done to you, you both are now in equal amounts of trouble. Which is so wrong on so many levels. They're have also been times where favoritism has played a role in unfair treatment. Especially of people with disabilities. I myself am physically disabled and I was favored by staff like Guzman for whatever reason. It has gone to a point where she personally has my parents phone numbers. And they are oblivious to the shit she does to other students who aren't neurodivergent or physically disabled, like myself. Shit she and other staff has done to my friends like not like one of them because their mom works at the school and turn a blind eye to my other friend getting S/A, despite always making presentations about what to do about being S/A'd there. And more shit like my brother being assaulted and harassed by the kids in his old class and an old counselor, Ms. Allen, who thought it was *MY* fault for being purposefully left out by an old group of girls I used to hang out with and was being treated poorly, causing me to mentally breakdown in school multiple times. Now, after me and my friends all graduated from that nightmare, everything started going to shit! The new 8th and 7th graders loove to get into fights to the point where there's multiple police cars outside the building, the school almost got sued, and a bunch more other things! Anyway, parents, take it from me and my friends, unless you want your kid to get mind-fucked and mentally scarred by the students and / or staff and Guzman for 9 years straight, DO. NOT. COME. HERE. The school is at it's deserved downfall and is just really unsafe in my opinion. And if any more former students come out the woodworks about their experience, I wholeheartedly support it. And to the asinine staff; I hope all of you rot in hell. I hate all of you with a burning passion and I don't miss any of you. I feel bad for the kids after me who are fucked up because of this school. And Guzman, just know I despise your every being, I don't miss you. 9 years for nothing.

This is the first time I have visited this school. I used to live in this area. This school…read morereplaced an old church. I remember it took around 2 years for them to build it. This is a public school that was built at the right time: overcrowding in schools have become a national epidemic. Anyway, the group I belong to: Fight Back Bay Ridge was co hosting with the AAA the 3rd debate for City Council with the 3 candidates: Capano/Brannan/ Quaglione. The school is very warm and welcoming with light blond wood. Very clean and spacious; nice sign for parents. The debate was held in the assembly which was quite large and accommodating. I also know that this school is an extension of a small elementary school that is adjacent to this school. Hopefully this school will succeed and will be a precursor for more new schools to be built

My daughter is in her 2nd year (1st grade) at the Greene Hill School and it has been so…read moreinstrumental to her growth academically, socially, and mindfully. The community is thoughtful, engaging, and welcoming. The progressive learning approach keeps my daughter engaged, excited, and learning new life and academic skills daily. Teaching the kids mindfulness and ways to communicate at such a young age will really help shape these beautiful young minds to have a deeper understanding into the world but also as human beings. I am grateful to be apart of this community and thankful for the dedicated staff. A tucked away beautiful school gem in a very quiet area of Fort Greene.

Was a great educational experience for my son - creative, experiential learning and cooperative…read moreplay along with an intimate community in which he forged friendships and felt at home with kids across grades.

This was my elementary school when I was younger. It was great back then and it still is a great…read moreschool. Great staff, great teachers who pour into your life. Very involved with the community and giving back.

My son no longer goes to this school but when he did he had a great experience. From the Principal…read morewho is no longer there to the Secretaries who were at our every beck and call. The parent Coordinator was great as well.

Our two children started here in pre-K and we had an absolutely wonderful experience. One is now in…read morehigh school -- he left for a different school and returned to SJWCA where they welcomed him home with open arms. Our other child attended from pre-k through 2nd. SJWCA has a warm and supportive atmosphere that teaches children what they need to learn academically, as well as how to behave properly and be kind human beings. There is a real sense of community connection also -- not just to the parish but to the neighborhood at large and our local heroes. Issues of bullying were addressed and resolved. Concerns about grades were addressed and resolved. Support for transfers to other schools and high school admissions (even non-Catholic options) was provided in the interest of what is best for the child. If you're looking for a school who will know and love your children, care for them, teach them, inspire them and keep them safe, you should definitely look into SJWCA.

This is unacceptable me and my daughter or on a trip for summer vacation which is a bad time…read moredifferent, tell me why this school assigned my daughter 14 math assignments and its due tomorrow!!!!!'

I went to this school for 1 year and it was terrible. The teachers would always scream at you and…read morethe bathroom stalls were with no doors so you had to go all the way to the first floor to go to the bathroom. The school is really dusty which is bad for allergic people. I don't recommend this school.

My child transferred from public school to Adelphi. This school is overpriced with a weak academic…read moreprogram. The head of school and teachers only care about money and more money. Besides the tuition charges you will have to bring in more money - fundraising, expensive school trips that are mandatory, even tickets for school plays are sold for money, even students must purchase the tickets. For school lunch you must pay in advance before school starts, you have no choice - it's included in your deposit. The meal is terrible. Whatever has to be hot is cold and whatever has to be cold is warm, test-less and undercooked. I paid for the lunch at the beginning of the school year but my child never ever ate there. There are no water fountains and the school sells water bottles that are more expensive than in stores. The head of school and Most of the stuff is rude and mean except doctor Jecome- the science teacher, he was really nice. Half of my emails to the head of the school left unanswered. Spanish starts from 9th grade comparing to 5 or 6 grade in public schools. My child had to be present of course on Spanish lessons and waist time and money. In 9 grade math students learn what public students learn in 8 grade. My child waisted a year learning nothing new in this school and I waisted money. If you care about your child's education and your money don't send your kid to this school.

I have been a student at Berkeley Carroll for 13 years. Students are very kind and teachers are…read moreengaging. I am particularly grateful for the math program. The facilities are always being upgraded and are always very clean. As a lifer at BC, I would recommend.

I couldn't disagree more strongly with the prior review. Having had children in the school for more…read morethan a decade, I honestly couldn't be more impressed with Berkeley Carroll. Both from an academic perspective as well as giving children an opportunity to grow as individuals, I have watched my own children truly blossom during their tenure at BC. Whether it is the partnership with NYU to teach kids science and engineering, the excellent drama program, the nationally competitive speech and debate program or the highly competitive athletic program the school excels at that which it puts its mind to. If you are looking for an independent school, I highly recommend giving strong consideration to Berkeley Carroll.

We have been part of Northside for the last 5 years and we couldn't love it more. We love the…read moreproject base learning which keeps the children engaged in regular curriculum learning with something that can still keep them interested. The administration and teachers are caring and extremely engaged in the community. A very supportive PA gouge which organize a lot of extra curricular activities. Every morning children are welcome with their first name, everybody knows each kid by name and give them the proper greetings. The small classes help also focusing on each child strength and 'need for help'. We really love it.

Our son is in 2nd grade and has been at Northside since age 2. All of his teacher have left…read morelasting impressions on our family and on our child- the small classes allow for hands on learning and personalized attention, and the collaborative work between classes means its never "too small." He loves integrated science and art- where the project based curriculum gets tied into all his other subjects. Last year their 1st grade class studied fire stations, and when construction workers blocked an exit in our home, he pointed it out to me as a safety hazard and we had the building fix it. His learning goes beyond the classroom and basic curriculum. Northside is teaching our son to be a lifelong learner and better citizen!