2015 High School Reviews

·    ·         Academy for Careers in Television and Film
·         LocationHunters Point, Queens
  IIs this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience
TvF moved to a beautiful new building directly across the street from Gantry State Park in Fall 2014. The facilities are clean and new. The school shares the building with two other schools. There are not enough lockers for the students and lockers have to be shared. Despite the fact that enrollment has increased, class sizes remain relatively small with the hiring of additional teachers. Like in any school, there are great teachers and others that are less stellar. Students call teachers and administrators by their first names but there seems to be respect all across the board. In our opinion, the Science, Social Studies, and Production departments were the strongest. The Production Program is fabulous. In the first two years, students try many aspects of the film making process and create their own documentaries and other film projects. Everyone is encouraged to try everything from camera work to sound to lighting, set design, directing, and editing. The kids are taught to work in teams and learn that what they do impacts the outcome for more than just themselves. At the end of sophomore year, they select 3 possibilities from 5 different interest/skill areas: Camera/Sound, Editing,Directing/Screenwriting, Grip and Electric, and Production Design. Students are placed in skill specific cohorts in junior year based on their choices and the Production Departments evaluation of their strongest skills and their production course focuses on their "specialty". The students begin putting together crews with students from different cohorts to produce their junior year films. In Senior year, the focus is on independent projects. A good number of interested Senior students are placed in industry based internships or teaching assistant positions. TvF uses Edline as a way to keep parents aware of student progress. Parent Teacher conferences are held 4 times a year. Narratives are distributed along with grades. The academics are strong and expectations are high. Little homework is given. Students are regularly encouraged to attend free after school tutoring sessions to improve their grades. They are also encouraged to retake Regents exams to improve their scores. The school is not as close knit as it previously was but students get along and work together on projects across the grades. Students tend to gravitate toward others with similar interests but cliques do not seem to be an issue. The school is culturally diverse and parents are warmly welcomed into the school as part of the TVF family. It is highly recommended that you really take the time to look into the production program at the school. While the academics are quite important, recent applicants have been attracted to the new campus but once they attend the school, they realize the production program isn't for them. If you are looking for performing arts, this is not your school.
Did your child use the school's college office?
Yes, he used the college office. Starting in Junior year,students start putting together a college binder.They are split into groups and go on trips to 3 college campuses that are in their "ballpark". A group meeting is held toward the end of junior year to give parents a projected timeline of what needs to be done and when. College advisor recommends that students do the bulk of the college search during junior year and into the summer. Seniors have a College Advisory period once a week where they continue to research colleges. They receive timely email reminders when due dates are coming up. The College Advisor generally answered emailed questions within a day or two.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would
Definitely visit the schools if you are able and have your child actively participate in the selection process. They are the ones who will be going to the school.




 Art and Design
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Film
·         LocationManhattan
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your experience
For a kid that is really into art this is a great school. Academic teachers are hit and miss; English has been good, but slow because 9th grade classes aren't tracked; science has been good; math has been fine and social sciences mediocre. The art classes and teachers are amazing. The school does not have enough guidance counselors but the 9th grade one has been very good about returning email -- heroic even. Most of the teachers have also been good about returning email though they are inconsistent using Skedula/Pupilpath which is bothersome. The environment has been great -- lots of interesting kids. It's important that your kid find a peer group that is interesting in arts AND academics as there are kids that cut classes etc.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give
Make sure your kid is genuinely interested in studying art; if academics are important to you (i.e. you want your kid to perhaps go to reasonably competitive university) be prepared to monitor academics closely.


Bard High School Early College, Queens
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)None
·         LocationQueens
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
 Please write a review of your experience
Bard has outstanding teachers, many with Phd's, and being that it is a small school they know their students. There seems to be a great respect between students and faculty, this may be due to open class discussions. My child is a sophomore and his writing skills have really developed at Bard. He was always a math science kid. The excelerated nature of the program made us nervous at first. Would my child be able to handle an early college program, in our case he is thriving. As for dislikes my son complains of no recess and lack of sports, at lunch he sometimes walks up and down stairs to get a little exercise in. There has been a petition put out by the student goverment asking for recess, however there really is not a lot to do in this particular neighborhood. As for feedback each report card has at least 2 paragraphs per subject s to how your child is doing. If someone falls behind you will know about it as there is excellent communication at this school.their college counselor is excellent as well.
Did your child use the school's college office?
Not yet, next year, we have seem her talk and she knows her stuff.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice
Keep in mind the quick pace of this school, it is best for self-motivated students



·         
Bard High School Early College Queens
·         LocationLong Island City, New York
 Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience
Teachers are professors - all have PhDs and are very engaged and enthusiastic about the courses they teach; students are expected to bring a level of maturity to their studies akin to a college student - to seek out professors for assistance when needed. Facility is light and airy and well maintained - only downside is that there is no gym - just exercise and weight rooms (there is a Y nearby and Elmer Gantry Park is about 15 minutes away). Music education is of very high quality. Students get to choose among college courses in their last 2 years. Administration communication with parents could be better; communication about issues is directed more toward students than parents. We have found parent-teacher conferences to be very informative and that teachers are easily accessible; that said, we have taken a back seat so that the primary communication for teachers is with our child, their student.
Did your child use the school's college office
In March of junior year, students are just starting a weekly college advisory class. There was an introductory meeting with parents of junior year students in February to review the plan for the college advisory program, but we have not seen much of a college preparation effort yet; until now we have had 1 or 2 very general meetings to discuss the college search process. The director of the "college transfer office" is very difficult to reach and is not good about returning calls. Not feeling positive about the experience so far. However, many colleges did visit the school to hold information sessions with students in the fall, and it seems that the school is known to and highly regarded by colleges.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give

Encourage your child to pick a school that will help them grow - academically as well as socially - to not just stick with what is/has been comfortable.


·         Bard
·         LocationQueens
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
 Please write a review of your experience
Overall a great experience. Small classes & a positive teaching environment. Transition from middle school to high school is real, but not overwhelming.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give

To remember that (in most cases) there is more than one good option for your child.

  
·         
Bard High School Early College - Manhattan
·         LocationLower East Side Manhattan
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience
The High School Program (the first two years) is extremely dense and fast-paced. Just about double-time the standard HS experience. First year is confusing as students learn how to pace themselves and keep up with their peers but it sorts out by the second year. And the reward is in the college program (last two years) with a wide range of interesting course choices and truly in-depth exploration of college-level issues. Teachers are all highly skilled and dedicated, and there's lots of extra help (many students need it). But expect a crushing workload - minimum of 3 hours a night ranging up to 5-6. Don't expect the weekends off. Kids definitely do extracurriculars but need to be very organized to do so.
Did your child use the school's college office?
Just starting (second semester of 11th grade). They seem pretty responsive.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give
Have your kid make a list of pros and cons of each school choice so the decision gets made through a weighing of their real strengths and desires, not just what their friends are doing, the schools' relative prestige, and/or following/opposition to parental advice.


·         BHSEC/Manhattan
·         LocationManhattan
Q4: Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your
Teachers are almost all exceptional, school administration seems respectful and inclusive of parents, we got helpful feedback in most cases. Work has been quite challenging and on a much, much higher level than in the well-regarded middle school my child was at, but not as overwhelming as we had feared--certainly do-able.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give

Listen to your and your child's instincts after researching thoroughly.


·         BHSEC
·         LocationManhattan
Q4: Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
PAGE 3: Basics Done-- TIME TO REVIEW
Q5: Please write a review of your experience in the box provided:Try to give some specific information about your experience-- what you liked and disliked (if anything) and include feedback on things such as::----Skill of teachers----The facility and programs offered----How the school dealt with difficult situations ----Feedback you received about your child's progress
Small classes run seminar-style. Generally very strong teachers. Very bright kids.Very limited physical plant and inconvenient location. Feedback limited but support resources very available.
Q6: Did your child use the school's college office? If yes, would you like to add some information about that experience? Did they help with the search? Applications? Were they helpful with parent's questions? Were they speedy in getting transcripts, recommendations, etc to the colleges?
Fantastic support for the college application process. Help with the list, essays etc. also an organized trip to visit NY State schools.
Q7: Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?

·         Highly recommend




·         Berkeley-Carroll School
·         Location181 Lincoln Place, Park Slope
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience
Teachers are excellent. The facilities post construction are very good, though science labs could use an update. The school is working on this. We've been in the school since our son was in pre-K 4 with a 2 year break when we moved to London. We are thrilled with the up-in-quality effort B-C has made across all of its programs. The teachers are excellent and provide realistic feedback. Negative portion is many of the kids are on "scholarship" to improve diversity numbers, which I don't necessarily agree with and another portion are kids who feel too entitled to do anything. Luckily in a normal distribution these are the wings and the middle are fairly motivated kids. I wish the school up-ed the competitive nature rather than continue the warm & fuzzy attitude it has. teachers and curriculum are very good and helped us navigate some awkward social situations. Another negative is no AP classes
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give

Balance between finances, class size, curriculum and most important the student body. Peers impact one another very positively as well as the negative stereotype that is promulgated




·         
Brooklyn Friends
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)International Baccalaureate
·         LocationBrooklyn. NY
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
 Please write a review of your experience
Excellent teachers Excellent program New Building & Facilities in 2015-2016 Excellent feedback opportunities
Did your child use the school's college office
Just starting the college process. The College office is well staffed and my daughter has specific meetings scheduled
 Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?

·         Highly recommend



·         The Brooklyn Latin School
·         LocationBrooklyn, NY
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience
TBLS has a rigorous International Baccalaureate curriculum. It high academic standards and teaches students how to think critically and abstractly through the use of classes like a Socratic-style seminar and declamation (public speaking). Students receive a classic, well-rounded education. TBLS students tend to be serious about their academics and extra-curriculars. The teachers and administration are very knowledgeable, enthusiastic, energetic and accessible. All teachers provide at least one after school tutoring if not more. They respond within 48 hours and give helpful feedback. Everyone works hard to help students.
 Did your child use the school's college office
Not yet. He will soon. But from what I hear, the college office works extra hard and the results are paying off.
 Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would
Your child has to buy into the TBLS culture and be willing to work hard.


·         The Brooklyn Latin School
·         LocationBrooklyn
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your
This is a wunderful school for a student that wants to take education seriously. You can get as active as you want. Small school where people know your name. The parents are caring, the kids are diverse and the education is classic but they often reference the modern world. Did I mention the teachers are spectacular? They are! If you want to get information about your child, the teachers are approachable. The teachers are a critical part of the children's experience.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give.

Listen to your child and don't get caught up in the name of the school. It's important for them to be happy for their 4 years. Education should be fun top!


Brooklyn Prospect Charter School
·         LocationBrooklyn
 Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience
Great teachers, good faculty, ethically run Charter School. Only beef is its a little small, and they have trouble focusing on Sports teams/Music/Extra curricular activities over several years. On the flip side, being small, means lots of personal attention, all the teachers/students know each other well, and there is pretty much immediate feedback if you want to get it on homework being turned in etc.
 Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people

Don't forget your kid will change their interests while in High School




·         Brooklyn Prospect Charter School
·         LocationWindsor Terrace, Brooklyn
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your
Young energetic teaching staff, small school environment, great for local kids, IB program is great for high achieving kids. Young teachers get experience and leave but generally stay around for a few years. Some need help with classroom management. Very dedicated administration. Could use more enrichments and after school programs though the sports for this size school is great. Most teachers are responsive and cutting edge as is the administration. Great school for those who need additional support. Great diversity in the school which is mostly positive and sometimes negative. Feedback about progress is terrific; new college counselor is on top of everything and there is a feeling that the school really wants to move kids to the next level. About 25% leave after middle school to attend higher performing schools. Probably would have left if child got into top high school choice but glad they stayed. Like having them in the neighborhood.
Did your child use the school's college office
Not yet, but dedicated staff member for small school provides a lot of hands on support.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give

Strong students can be in the IB program but exceptional students may want to go to a more competitive school.


·         Brooklyn Prospect Charter School
·         LocationWindsor Terrace, Brooklyn
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your experience
My son is a freshman at BPCS after attending middle school there. He really likes the school and is enjoying himself for the most part. The teachers and administration are incredibly involved in the kids academic success. I receive emails from teachers and/or administrators regularly regarding my sons performance. The communication is amazing. The school is small so I feel my son is very well supported. It is also in a convenient, pleasant neighborhood and an easy commute. The downside is the school seems a bit strict with the rules. Perhaps this is just because its a small school and kids can't fly under the radar.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would
Obviously, you need to know your kid. My son was interested in schools on the Upper West Side, but ultimately he decided a super easy commute and a familiar school was his number one priority. Other kids are different.




    Brooklyn Prospect Charter School
·         LocationBrooklyn, NY
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience
BPCS is a small, progressive school with a nurturing environment and young, attentive teachers who really care about the kids. They find creative ways to teach their classes, using technology, field trips, group work and projects. My son liked the middle school so much that he stayed in for high school.
Did your child use the school's college office?
My child, who is in 10th grade, is starting the college process. To my pleasant surprise, the school's college counselor reached out, and scheduled an informational appointment for me and my son. I was impressed with the proactivity.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would
Know that the school is very small, and can sometimes feel claustrophobic, but the upside is a supportive environment with lots of personalized attention.




·         Brooklyn Technical High School
·         LocationFt. Greene, Brooklyn
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your experience
Even though BTHS is the largest high school in the city, it is very well organized and professionally run. My son has had some excellent teachers and a couple of so-so teachers. The school does a good job of communicating with parents via, phone and e-mail.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would

Don't worry about the "in" school, just focus on your child's strengths and preferences.


·         Brooklyn Technical High School
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)major not chosen yet (sophomore)
·         LocationFt. Greene
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience in the box
Teacher quality and amount of challenge varies, as everywhere. We have had good experiences with the athletics and Robotics programs and the course selection/placement has been appropriate. The amount of homework has not been unreasonable. Communication from the school administration has been fairly good.
Did your child use the school's college office?
We have not formally used the college office yet (middle of sophomore year) but the information coming from them for parents and students about preparation and college-prep related programs such as test prep options has been plentiful and useful.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would
Don't go by what "everyone" says because everyone may not have the same needs or priorities as you. Look for a best fit.

·         
Brooklyn Tech
·         LocationFort Green
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience
This school has a large selection, what I truly appreciate is that they have been at this for so long they no how to do things. It is a very large school but I think they have mastered the art of seeming smaller. Thus far the teachers have been very supportive and my sons experience good.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would

listen to your child.




·         Brooklyn Technical High School
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience
Positives: Generally high level of challenge and expectation, some excellent teachers, abundance of extracurricular activities and sports. The majors (which I was initially wary about because I felt requiring a 15 year old to choose an area of intense focus was too much to ask) are actually a great opportunity for students to really push themselves and pursue a deeper exploration of subjects they are interested in. The curriculum is very demanding. Most juniors and seniors have to take 2 or 3 AP classes tom complete their major. The guidance office is mostly supportive and helpful and there are plenty of adults at the school who care deeply and mentor the students. Negatives: There are far too many outright bad teachers. My child has experienced numerous disorganized, unkind or inept teachers in math and science—an unacceptable situation for a STEM school of supposed excellence. The school was my child's first choice and two truly dreadful science teachers in a row caused very painful disappointment. The school leadership is passive and lacking in vision.
Did your child use the school's college office
My child is a junior and so far the college office has been helpful and organized but we have yet to go through the application process.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend with reservations
What is the ONE piece of advice you would

Their are a lot of very good high schools out there—look with an open mind.


·         Brooklyn Technical High School
·         LocationFort Greene, Brooklyn
 Is this the school your child attends now?
·         no, he or she already graduated in June 2014
 Please write a review of your experience in the box
My daughter loved Brooklyn Tech, and I was pleased with the school. Almost all of her teachers were very good to excellent and really cared about their students. The one exception was fired last year--too late for her, but good riddance. Don't be afraid to speak up for your student or, better, encourage him or her to take advantage of the resources of the school. S/he can go to tutoring given by another teacher if s/he needs more help than the assigned teacher can give. Or s/he or you can go up the ladder and appeal for help from the assistant principal of the academic department. That helped a lot for my daughter. The assistant principal for parent and student engagement is an excellent resource and can help you figure out how to proceed if your child is having a problem. That said, it's an amazing school with a huge assortment of students, departments, AP classes, activities and majors. Yes, it's a gigantic school but your student won't get lost unless he or she chooses to do so. And via an amazing network of alumni, the school has been cushioned from budget cuts.
Did your child use the school's college office?
We had no problem with the college office. They operated very efficiently. That said, we did most of our own research on colleges.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would

Visit if you can and talk to parents and students. Open houses are good places to network and talk to people at the school and tours are good to see the school in action.




·         Bronx High School of Science
·         LocationBedford Park
 Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your experience
All of my child's teachers this year (her freshman year) have been outstanding. They all have been extremely knowledgeable, organized, and enthusiastic about the subjects they teach. They are very well prepared, consistently present, and give substantial feedback to my child on her work. In subjects in which she has needed help, the teachers conduct Small Group Instruction ("SGI") after school to go over questions and material on a personalized basis, and help the student effectively prepare for quizzes, tests, or projects. My child feels extremely supported by her teachers, and I feel her teachers care and take time to know her strengths and challenges, and are dedicated to ensuring she finds meaning in her school work and succeeds. The high school facilities are fantastic. Classrooms are spacious and well-lit. All students have their own locker. There is a state-of-the-art library, science labs, greenhouse, music and art studios, fitness room, large gym, large cafeteria, modern auditorium, even a planetarium. There is a beautiful courtyard where students can socialize and relax. The course guidebook reads like a college, with the amazing number of classes in all disciplines (not just science or math) and research opportunities available. Every person I have dealt with, from teachers, to administration, to guidance counselors, to school staff, are incredibly responsive and thorough. My emails and my child's emails are promptly addressed, usually within a few hours, even on weekends. Daily feedback is given through Pupil Path, which teachers maintain up-to-date with grades, assignments, and class messages. More detailed feedback is given at parent-teacher conferences. Although the conferences are, by necessity short, my child's teachers all gave insightful and helpful comments. If I felt I needed more information, they all offered to correspond via email. A weekly, detailed newsletter is sent by the Parent Coordinator and the guidance department. Monthly Principal's Breakfasts are conducted by the Principal and Assistant Principals. They are very well attended. The administration is very welcoming of parents and makes it a priority to have excellent and effective communication and multiple ways to promote parent input. Despite the large number of students, the long commute from Brooklyn, and the demanding school work, my child has made many friends, has commuting buddies, feels comfortable, safe, and excited about the school. The guidance office and student organization conduct a number of year-round programs to assist freshmen in their transition from middle school, in organizational and time-management skills, in feeling engaged through extra-curricular activities and sports (of which there are many), and in charting out a well-though-out plan for a positive and productive high school experience. When we were considering Bronx Science, we worried about the commute. The Principal told us "it's worth the commute." She was absolutely right, and the commute, and early rise each day, has, to our surprise, never been a problem. It has, instead, provided my child a time to study, read, do homework, listen to music, connect with new friends, and explore areas and people of the City she would otherwise not been likely to explore.
 Did your child use the school's college office
College counseling during freshman year takes the form of helping students transition well into the demands of a high achieving high school. This is done through advisory sessions during the school day, and in after-school workshops. In addition, there are a number of breakfast and evening workshops for parents conducted by the guidance department and the parents association to inform parents about college financing options, scholarship opportunities, the importance of extracurricular activities, and course selection (such as making smart decisions about AP and other advanced classes, research options, course load, etc.). Each student is assigned a guidance counselor who generally stays with the student all four years. In this way,strong, personalized support mechanisms are established between student, parent, and counselor from the start of high school (not just junior year).
 Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give
Try to ascertain whether the overall values and culture of the school are consistent with your and your child's views on education



·         John Dewey High School
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Visual and Media Arts
·         LocationBrooklyn, NY
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your experience
My daughter just started in September and the school has exceeded our expectations! She's in the visual arts program which isn't audition based but rather screened (looking at grades). Because of the schools size there are many our facilities for artsy students. There is a Mac computer lab, a kiln, art rooms, photography classes, yearbook design, stagecraft, dance rooms and a rehearsing room. It's a very nice selection that I simply couldn't find in most high schools width "of the arts" in their names. John Dewey is a great school if your child is art-oriented. Don't be fooled, however, there are many other great programs too... They just didn't interest my daughter. The campus is also very nice and accessible, makes for visiting the school a breeze. The Parents Association is also very active and strong within the school. I'm glad my daughter ended up in the school. I did not know it was one of the better known schools until she enrolled.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give
Do a lot of independent research

·         Frank Sinatra School of the Arts
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Vocal
·         LocationAstoria,Queens
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         no, he or she already graduated in June 2014
Please write a review of your experience
My daughter had difficulty @ first, most of her friends from her Brooklyn middle school went to other high schools,but she ended up shining and doing very well academically. She got accepted to all of the colleges she applied to. She became very independent at a certain point, probably the end of sophmore year, and I really didn't have to follow up with her progress, she was handling things on her own. She got a very prestigious internship at a Broadway theatre the summer after her junior year through Tony Bennet's foundation as well as a job in a theatre through a connection from a teacher. Last summer after graduation she had the opportunity to perform at the Verbier festival in Switzerland through the Collegiate Chorale program the the choral teacher is involved in. Tony Bennet and his wife do a lot of fundraising with other celebrities to create opportunities for the students to explore the arts and they had many surprise performances. Last year alone there were performances at the school by Paul McCartney, Billy Joel and Lady GaGa and Tony Bennet.
Did your child use the school's college office?
Yes they were helpful from what I could tell. Again, she handled these things mostly on her own.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would

If it is an Arts school like FSSA try to attend performances/shows at the school to see if this is the type of thing the child will be excited by.Tour the school and go to open school night to see if it what you are looking for. ask questions about courses that are available to make sure that enough of what your child may want to explore is offered so that they will not regret their decision once it is made.



·         
High School for Math Science and Engineering at City College
·         LocationManhattan
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience
The fellow students are very smart, kind and non-clique-y, perhaps because the school is so small, with just 100-120 per grade. Everyone talks to everyone, even between grade levels, and the students seems focused on academics, which are at a very high level. The school is racially and ethnically diverse, with about 1/3 of the students black or Latino, a little more than 1/3 of students Asian and a little less than 1/3 white. The teachers are smart and knowledgeable in their subjects and definitely go the extra mile to make sure their students are learning. My son's math teacher asked him to come after school just last week because he thought my son didn't understand a concept in class. The English and history teachers provide thorough, thoughtful feedback on papers (to my mind, there is a bit too much emphasis on learning to write for the AP exam, because high-scoring AP exam writing is a skill separate from good writing). The teachers are very demanding and there is a lot of homework. Anticipate four or more hours per night most nights. This is somewhat ameliorated by the A/B schedule, so that students only have half their classes each day. My son complains the long-block classes are too long and there is too much homework. And that there aren't enough girls! The school has complied with my son's IEP and the teachers have been very happy to accommodate and make suggestions to help him thrive. DOWNSIDES: Some windowless classrooms. Teachers are ridiculously inflexible on turning in assignments. For example, there are teachers who give no credit or reduced credit if a student does not turn in work immediately at the start of class.
Did your child use the school's college office
Our counselor was able to get College Board accommodations for his disability for the PSAT and SAT. The college guidance seems well done. Each family gets a one-on-one meeting with the college counselor spring of junior year, and there are multiple college guidance interns who provide a greater level of assistance. The head college counselor seems very effective, and teachers seem to go out of their way to let kids know about application-building and life-expanding experiences. They help get kids accepted at great colleges each year, including multiple acceptances each year at MIT, which is amazing from a graduating class of 100.
 Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you /their family.
Check on real commute times




·         High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering @ CCNY
·         LocationManhattan (Harlem)
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience
Some teachers have been great, but my son has struggled in a particular subject and it seems to be at least partially due to the teachers methods. Unfortunately, he has had the teacher for two years in a row which has made for a miserable experience. All seem genuinely invested in the students. Feedback has been good, especially once I reached out to the teachers via Engrade. Once they know a parent is involved and invested, many of the teachers make an effort to communicate concerns and some like to share positive feedback when prompted. I think communication between the principal and the parents needs significant improvement. She is an impressive woman, but feels almost invisible. Last year when a student commit suicide, I found out incidentally when I overheard students talking about it. I then searched it up in the news. It took too many days for the principal to issue a statement to parent and offer organized forums and information for the student/parent/teacher community. The main school building is a bit small for the ever increasing class sizes. The halls are too small for lockers and it gets crowded during class transitions. It's great that the students have access to CCNY facilities for gym, lunch and the library as well as the outside areas for lunch time.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend
 What is the ONE piece of advice you would.

This is an academically intense school. There is no real balance in regards to core academics, the arts and social-emotional development. It is very rigorous and if your child is not strong or very interested in math, science or engineering, they should really not rank this school because those are indeed the subjects of focus. On the flip side, my son really likes the other students, so that's a big plus!



Institute for Collaborative Education
·         Location345 E 15th St #5, New York, NY 10003
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         no, he or she already graduated in June 2014
Please write a review of your
ICE is a wonderful school with dedicated staff and a wonderful new principal, Peter Karp. He is moving the school towards academic excellence while still keeping the focus on the whole child. With such a small class size for a public high school, each student gets plenty independent attention. The science program gets stronger and stronger and last year a dozen kids participated in the NYS Science and Engineering Fair (along with kids from Stuy and Bronx Science).
 Did your child use the school's college office?
ICE's full time college counselor only has to work with 60 - 70 students each year so each student gets more than sufficient assistance with questions, searches, etc. She encourages and helps students to apply early, prep for interviews, etc. And she works with parents, too. Almost every graduate from June, 2014 went on to college and went to some great schools inclusing Brandeis, Wesleyan, plenty of private liberal arts schools and of course SUNY and CUNY.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give
This isn't the school for every kids. The school is exempt from state testing but the kids are expected to produce a pretty sophisticated body of work for their graduation requirements.



·         Institute for Collaborative Education
·         Location15th and 1st Ave, NY, NY
 Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience
The teachers and principal knew my child well. The principal supported my child through difficult times socially and emotionally. My child excelled academically and was able to do projects that were of interest to her. She is loving her senior internship.
Did your child use the school's college office?
The college counselor at ICE was very helpful to my child and to us as parents.
Q7: Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would

Choose the right school for your child.


ICE
·         LocationEast Village
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your
Great small school. Most teachers are great. Academically challenging, Can accommodate most learning styles. ICE is not everyone's taste so if it fits it is excellent.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would
Make sure it is your type of school



Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of Art and the Performing Arts
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Music/Instrumental
·         LocationNew York, NY
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience
Laguardia is intensely demanding on a child's time. The school day is 3 hours longer than an ordinary school day to start, and then there is academic homework and studio homework including instrumental practice and memorizing repertoire. In addition, the academic offerings are not as extensive as other specialized high schools- all the $ goes into the arts studios, so kids who come in with Regents run out of high school level courses by junior year, leading them to be forced into multiple AP classes, whether or not they are suited or qualified to take them on. When you add commuting time on top of all of this, you have a burned out kid with no time for normal socializing, no time for an after school activity or job, no time to develop normal household responsibility like chores. I find it totally unhealthy, and the studio quality does not make up for the sacrifices. We gave up music at Juilliard to accommodate this grueling schedule, and it wasn't worth it.
Did your child use the school's college office?
My child is a sophomore, but any interaction I've had regarding individual questions about concerns for college planning were met with expressions of the counselor being overwhelmed. They do give seminars, but I anticipate that individual help will be meager.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend with reservations
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people
Do NOT go for a 'brand name'.... really research what's there and how it will benefit your child.




Laguardia
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Visual Art
·         LocationUWS
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your
My daughter is in 9th grade and we are all very happy with Laguardia so far. She loves the students at the school and is very inspired/excited to be part of a group of creative, talented, hard-working kids. I do think the peer group is one of the best things about the school. They're a special group of kids. Her art classes have been outstanding so far, and she is making more art than ever before (both inside and outside of school). The academics seem good--pretty straight-forward and traditional, but fine--and she's been happy with her teachers too.
 Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
 What is the ONE piece of advice you would give
Talk with your child about what he/she wants, but also encourage them to explore options that might not interest them initially. The application process is a long one, and these kids are still young. They might end up liking something that surprises you both.



·         LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Vocal Music
·         LocationManhattan (near Lincoln Center
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your experience
My daughter is overjoyed to be attending this school, and she is learning so much, both within her program and in other areas. Because of the Regents and Proficiency exams, she is in some classes with sophomores or above, so she is not confined to socializing with only other ninth-graders, and she has friends across the disciplines.
 Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give

It's the child, not the parent, who has to spend the next four years there, so choose the best, most accessible match.



·         La Guardia
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Drama
·         LocationManhattan
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your
If your kid is burning to study drama, the studio experience will likely prove worth it. Mr. Shifman and Mr. Kraus are particular straight shooters. Boys are kings when it comes to casting. I detest the new principal, Dr. Mars...at the request of the child who is graduating this year, I am not going into specifics. (InsideSchools is aware of the situation) Suffice it to say that after 3 years of receiving constant emails exhorting us - as part of the "LaGuardia family"- to donate $$$$, the principal didn't have the courtesy to return my husband's numerous messages about a highly distressing situation. He was volunteering in a very high profile way with the then-senior class. When he finally lucked into getting her on the line, she told him that it was 'highly inappropriate' for him to seek information as to what led to the situation. Note that he was not seeking a change in outcome...only context to help us understand what had happened. She is imperious, and she's prioritizing test scores, vetoing many of the studio teachers' choices... a crappy situation for the incoming classes, as it casts their talent into question, while barring kids who would've been accepted in the past. Allegedly, she publicly shamed the head of our studio for sticking up for our family...and it had the unfortunate consequence of souring that relationship, on both ends. Now...on to some positive things: several teachers really go the distance supporting the kids. Almost all of the acting faculty. Mr. Sokolov (English) and Mr. Sudduth (AP History) wrote tons of recommendations, and are inspiring teachers. I feel really happy that we got Mr. DuBossi (AP Environmental Science) this year - he is wonderful. We had some really awful teachers too. Ms. Bodha (Science chair / Chemistry) and Ms. Andrews (math) have no patience with kids who dislike or have no facility for their subjects. They're very pleasant in parent teacher conferences ... and are impossible to reach on the phone. I wouldn't really give a hell about this, except they teach required courses. Boo! I suspect it's frustrating to teach those subjects in an arts school. Mayhaps they should put in applications at Bronx Science. Their dismissive, some might say snide attitudes, could also be reflective of the fact that they have 100s of students. Ultimately, I'm leaving feeling very bitter about the experience. My child is having a good senior year, and I am grateful to her acting teachers, the academic teachers listed above, her guidance counselors, and one very recognizable volunteer. I know there are parents of alumni who hang around for years, selling refreshments at the shows, etc... I will not be one of them.
Did your child use the school's college office?
Yes, and I was worried b/c her counselor - Mr. Bonventre - retired right before senior year. Happily his replacement, Ms. Rosenstein is excellent as well. She answered numerous questions, helped with filing, was on top of all paperwork, and was right there with us when we found out about a good scholarship with 36 hours to write the essay, get the required documents together and file it (bright and early on a Monday morning, when our daughter was on a class trip!) The tattle is that the parents in other studios are very dissatisfied with their counselors - I can say that the Drama parents have lucked out during our tenure.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend with reservations
 What is the ONE piece of advice you would

Don't be bedazzled by the big, glamorous, name brand school if you think your child would do better served academically by a smaller school better equipped to nurture individuals.



·         LaGuardia High School
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Fine Arts
·         LocationManhattan
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience:
There are great teachers, mediocre ones, and a few rotten apples, and the academics are great, college readiness is very high, and everyone passes the Regents, but only a few academic teachers are really inspiring. However, students go there for the arts, which you must be passionate about because the day is extremely long. First class starts at 8am and the last one ends at 4:10. Add that to extracurricular and a commute, and there is not much time for anything else. I have had a fantastic response to many difficult situations. The APs have handled everything and averted all crises. Feedback about progress depends on the teacher. Not every teacher is doing the school's ClassJump program, but for the majority who are, it makes life so much easier to be able to have homework and grades online.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give

If your child is passionate about his or her art, then any negatives about LaGuardia will not matter.


·         Fiorello LaGuardia School of the Performing Arts
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)dance
·         LocationManhattan - W. 65th and Amsterdam
 mIs this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
write a review of your experience
I find most the teachers to be good to excellent, and am particularly pleased in such a large school that they give quite a lot of individual attention. Tutoring in most subjects in offered during lunch and after school, and that has been very helpful. The dance program is excellent, and I hear nothing but raves about the other talent programs as well, but I am also impressed by the level of academics, and the breadth of AP and other challenging classes offered. Feedback has been good (and about 1000 times better than her much smaller middle school), but it is a large school so you do have to be proactive on behalf of your child if you want the attention of a guidance counselor.
Did your child use the school's college office
Just starting the college process now -- unfortunately LaGuardia no longer has a college office and instead uses guidance counselors supplemented with outside advisers. That said, the informational sessions they have held so far for parents have been very helpful. Also nice that LaGuardia has its own college fairs in the fall and spring
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give

Be careful of falling into the trap of thinking there are only 3 or 4 high schools worth considering, and try to keep your ego in check. We discovered many appealing high schools not on the radar screen of my daughter's middle school that I would have been fine with. Think about what is right for your child, and not what is popular, And definitely try to convince your child that they don't need to go where their friends are going -- it's likely they will make new friends in HS anyways.,

·         
LaGuardia High School
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Art
·         LocationManhattan
Q4: Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your experience
It is a very long day and if your child has a long commute, it can be a big adjustment freshman year. The academic classes are very challenging. There is quite a bit of homework, it is important to utilize the weekend to get ahead on long term assignments/studying for upcoming tests. The school uses PupilPath, so you can check grades as often as needed. Teachers will respond to email and call to discuss what to do to help when child is struggling. Other teachers I have emailed to ask about sports and tutoring have not responded. The art classes so far are fine, but my daughter would like more instruction on how to improve, instead of teachers just giving assignments and observing students. If your child procrastinates or has trouble judging how long assignments take, they will be up to 1 or 2 am doing homework.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would
Good time management skills are key for success here

·         
La Guardia high school
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Instrumental
·         LocationManhattan
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your experience
It's a big school! My son was in a much smaller school last year and I feel that in the beginning of the semester, it was up to the parents, to be on the back of our child to make sure that he was going to swim and not sink... My son had to spend 2 months carrying his huge backpack from classes to classes and going from one office to another to ask for a locker. He was never send to the right person or they told him none were available etc.. I didn t want to intervene and wanted him to navigate the system and stand for himself. But at one point, when a teacher told me during a conference that my son was spending 15 minutes of the beginning of the class digging his material out of his backpack (enormous text books etc etc) and missing the beginning of the lesson, I called the office that gave my son a locker right away. Why did my son has to ask so many persons who send him to so many others who told him he couldn t get one and an adult made a call and obtained a result right away.... In general, i don t think there is a lot of respect for the students... However my son loves the social and creative energy of the school. He has been practicing his instrument a lot and he s very motivated. The students really inspire each other.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give
Trust your child instinct for his choice of high school


 ·         
LaGuardia High School
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Visual Art
·         LocationManhattan, NY
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience:
My daughter has been really happy at LaGuardia and I've been happy too. The Visual Art classes are amazing and the teachers are great. The facilities and classes offered are unparalleled in any NYC public school I've seen. The academics are also very good, and I feel my daughter has been appropriately challenged. Teachers in the academic subjects have been more mixed. 1-2 absolutely great teachers and maybe 1-2 not so great per year. Still she is definitely learning a lot academically and I think she's on a good college track. The honors and AP classes are more challenging. She has always been a strong student and I know some kids who may be "super" talented, but struggle with academics here. It is a long day and she also has afterschool activities she keeps up, so I wouldn't want it to be any more challenging, esp. if that meant more homework! By and large, I think the HW assignments and projects are interesting. She definitely has a chance to write papers and often the students can incorporate their "art": drama, visual art, vocal into an special assignments. I love that the students are treated with respect overall. LaG students tend to be hard-working and passionate and it has been a great environment and fit for my kid.
Did your child use the school's college office?
She has not used the college office yet, but as a parent, I get emails about academic forums and other programs that give information about the college process. I have not been to one in person yet (she is a sophomore) but information is available online and via email.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give
It can be hard to find a "perfect" fit. Even at a great school like LaG, things may not be 100% great all the time. Whether you get into your first choice school or not, be prepared to adapt


·         LaGuardia High School
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Art
·         LocationManhattan
Q4: Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your experience:
It is a very long day and if your child has a long commute, it can be a big adjustment freshman year. The academic classes are very challenging. There is quite a bit of homework, it is important to utilize the weekend to get ahead on long term assignments/studying for upcoming tests. The school uses PupilPath, so you can check grades as often as needed. Teachers will respond to email and call to discuss what to do to help when child is struggling. Other teachers I have emailed to ask about sports and tutoring have not responded. The art classes so far are fine, but my daughter would like more instruction on how to improve, instead of teachers just giving assignments and observing students. If your child procrastinates or has trouble judging how long assignments take, they will be up to 1 or 2 am doing homework.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give
Good time management skills are key for success here.



·         LaGuardia High School
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Vocal
·         LocationUpper west side
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your experience
High school has been a smooth, positive transition, far less challenging than middle school despite the additional hours of the day,length of commute and new challenges of academics. The culture of creativity and acceptance is wonderful and exciting. For those who are passionate about their talent, this is the perfect place to blend exposure to arts and opportunity to grow as a musician with serious academic challenge. My complaint would be that although the talent staff caters to this highly creative community, the academic approaches education in a traditional, less than exciting way. The honors tracks does meet the academic standards that we had hoped and there are many students who hold their academic success as seriously as their art/talent, but the teaching style is for the most part disappointingly dry. I ham hopeful that as she progresses into the AP classes, that the teaching staff will challenge them creatively. The transition from Mark Twain eased the combination of arts and academics - with good preparation for work load me time management and unfortunately similar in the approach to academics. La Guardia encourages attending the constant performances throughout the year, and the kids are constantly exposed to a rich environment that seems to make up for some of the dryness of the academics. The drug culture is one that I do not think is much different than other NYC schools. My feeling is that the long school day, needed rehearsals, practice and attendance at performances seems to allow for little potential 'hang out' time. Also, with such a large student body, there is much diversity and a place/ crowd for everyone, so everyone fits in.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
 What is the ONE piece of advice you
We struggled with the decision of which school would be best, but our clarity came when we realized that attending arguably the premier arts high school in the country is a gift. When else in your life can you be surrounded by creativity and music and art on a daily basis?
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·         Midwood H.S. at Brooklyn College
·         LocationMidwood, Brooklyn
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience
My child seems very happy here. That said, I don't feel very knowledgeable about what goes on on a daily basis. Some but not all of the teachers post on PupilPath regarding progress and grades, so I appreciate that, but some don't, and then we only get to know what's going on from the teacher's POV for 5-10 minutes 2x a year during conferences. My child is getting good grades without seeming to work very hard, at least at home. Perhaps the majority of the work is happening right in the classroom.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give

Consider the personality, strengths, and challenges of your child, make your decision based on the fit of your child to the school.


·         Millenium Brooklyn High School
·         LocationPark Slope, Brooklyn, NY
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your
Overall very happy with the school. School advisers and teachers are very engaged and clearly focused on providing a competitive environment. Students are pushed, though at times I wish a bit more than they are. Definately seen an increase in academic rigor each year so hopefully this continues. Facility is good not great. Issue with lockers this year that wasn't resolved until January! So female students did not have locker space for 1/2 the school year. Administration has been very easy to contact and address individual student concerns as they have come up. I have another child in a private school (which current Millenium student previously attended through 8th grade) and would note that the level of access at Millenium is comparable.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give
Have your child consider all of the things that go into a good high school experience - including the right balance between academics, commute, extra-curricular activities... Not just where are all of their friends going.

  
Millennium Brooklyn
·         LocationPark Slope Brooklyn
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year\
·          Please write a review of your experience
Millennium Brooklyn is a selective school offering smaller class sizes and wonderful teachers. The students are with the same students in their class throughout the year which is mostly a positive thing. The teachers are definitely of the mindset that students need to be responsible for their work but are fully available for extra help and strategies when approached. The advisory is great and is also used to nudge students to take academic responsibility and get the extra help when needed. I think this combination is excellent to help get the students on the right track for college. The school offers many after school activities but I really with they would offer more arts during the regular school day. That being said, the students get out at a decent time so they have plenty of time for office hours and are able to pursue outside interests.

Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people
Know your student and their abilities. Just because a student gets into Stuyvesant does not mean that it is the right place for them.


·         
Millennium Brooklyn High School
·         LocationPark Slope, Brooklyn
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your
Excellent teachers who are very committed to the students. Building is shared with schools with more challenging populations but it hasn't been an issue in any great way. AP program is growing. Advocating for and with my child resulted in great experience - but I can see others might get lost in the shuffle. Excellent updating about our child's progress via website with marks updated constantly.
Did your child use the school's college office?
YES - fantastic experience. The school is very committed to assisting all students with the college application process. They were helpful with parents all the way through the process. They did everything perfectly for us and assisted students with fewer resources and less parental support in applying too.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would
Be realistic about the world. Nothing is perfect and your child's path in life can't be. Don't jump into the crazy hype that parents and some schools have - they will all find their way. There are many great schools that will work for your student/family. Once you are placed, build relationships by attending all programs, supporting the parent council, asking questions, advocating for your child and being pleasant. Try to remain calm - ours is a vibrant and interesting world made of all kinds of people. We can all be happy that we and ours are a part of it.



Millennium Brooklyn High School
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)NA
·         LocationPark Slope
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience
The teachers are the best thing about this school. They're almost uniformly—with a few exceptions—outstanding. They are both good at conveying information, and at being approachable for kids to interact with. They're just great. I do wish that English wasn't lumped in with history for Humanities; it gives short shrift to both, particularly for more humanities focused kids. The school has been unbelievably approachable when things have been difficult. My child had a lot of anxiety at school, making it difficult, and the administration and the teachers have been ready to help and support. I wish the Humanities offered more readings—I wish all of the courses had more reading. But what there is is good.
Did your child use the school's college office
We're only finishing 10th grade, so not really, but when we applied to a college summer program they offered recommendations and transcripts immediately, which were really helpful.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would.
Find a place that your child can feel comfortable. Being a teenager can be tough, and you don't want their school to make them feel worse.

·         Millennium Brooklyn HS
·         LocationBrooklyn, NY
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your experience:
We have been very happy so far with this school. The teachers are enthusiastic and knowledgeable and seem to really know the individual students. His advisor has been warm, approachable and responsive to our son, and also to us as parents. He and the AP helped when there were little bumps in the road early on, in ways that were supportive and efficient. It is helpful to be able to see how he is doing via Pupil Path online. In addition to our parent teacher meeting with his advisor, we were able to meet all of his subject teachers briefly in the beginning of the year, and when the need has arisen either we or our son has been able to communicate with them via email. Our son has gone to teacher's 'office hours' when he had questions. He seems to feel quite comfortable there.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would

going on tours, talking to parents and students in the various schools, talking to the middle school advisor, looking at online reviews all were helpful. Once we had gotten a lot of info, it was most important to discuss with our son what kind of school he wanted and what aspects were most important.







·         Mount Saint Michael Academy
·         LocationBronx
 Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your
This is a Grade 6-12 Catholic (Marist) school for boys. It has a gorgeous 22 acre campus, with sports fields and lovely old buildings. We've been very happy with the quality of teachers. Nearly everything is online, so it is very easy for parents to support homework & projects, and you get regular updates on progress. My son is in special ed, and they provide support for children with IEPs Being a moderately-priced Catholic school, resources are tight.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give

Take the time to go visit the schools, and let your child have a strong voice in the process.


·         E. R. Murrow HS
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Drama
·         LocationMidwood, Brooklyn
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your experience
So far so good. The teachers mostly seem dedicated and enthusiastic. They keep my child engaged and interested. There are seemingly endless programs offered and you can learn quite a bit if you want to. For example, if you are in the theater department you can learn every aspect, from performing to stage craft, directing, costumes, lighting and so on. There are wonderful workshops and you don't have to be taking the specific course to work in them. If you want to help make costumes for the latest production you can show up in the costume shop after school and help out. There are before and after school extra-curricular classes, such as dance. Teachers were forthcoming at the parent/teacher conference so I could get a good idea of their version of what's been going on with my child.
 Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give

Talk to current students.


·         Edward R. Murrow HS
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Music program
·         Location1600 Avenue L Brooklyn NY 11230
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your experience
Overall, a very good school but it is big and busy. Most of my child's teachers are good, but she had a Science teacher with a very thick accent last term. We made sure she didn't have her again. Her math teacher is annoying but decent as far as instruction. Other teachers are good to very good. The facility is in good shape. Teachers and guidance are receptive to me when I speak and email with them. My daughter really enjoyed SING (the varsity show) and she has made many friends. One annoyance-- she did not get programmed for a first period class so goes in later than I would like.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would

Visit the school.



·         Murrow
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Vocal
·         LocationMidwood
Q4: Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your
We are really enjoying Murrow. It's a dynamic place that has an amazing amount of opportunities. And while there are a lot of students, it has a small school feel. We were so pleased that all our daughter's teachers knew about her and could speak about her skills and even her friends at parent teacher conferences. (In a much smaller middle school, she was just a number.) Our child also got to pick some of her classes second semester freshman year, which was a big thrill. She is engaged with school as well as the many after school activities Murrow offers. We are huge Murrow fans and feel very lucky.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give

Ignore the hype and the chose the best school for your kids. And larger programs have such a rich life outside the classroom that its an important part of high school.

·         Nest + M
·         LocationLower East Side
 Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
 Please write a review of your experience
The teachers are great, spend time after school when students need extra help. The school is small, clean very cute and sunny. It's pretty far from subway - but in a great area for teens that want to go out for lunch. Safe environment at school. Has a small pretty courtyard area. My 17 yr Junior has not had any kind of bad incident. She says it's a calm school - students are really focused on classes and kind to one another (for teenagers!). There are some pot smokers - which seems par for the course for NY HS. But she hasn't witnessed bullying or experienced any type of peer (or sneer) pressure - except healthy academic competition. When she started I didn't think there were enough creative after school clubs - but I realize now that there are quite a few and students really get involved to set up their own as well - from reading/writing clubs, mutli-cultural clubs to math, music, basketball, music, theater projects. Our daughter is pretty self motivated and we really do not have a need to be in contact with teachers. Some of her teachers send us copies of assignments and keeps us abreast of workload. Overall if your child wants college level type classes, academically curious etc this is a great smallish school - they have intense (not just math) and engaging classes (her classes have been a variety of AP in Literature, US History, Physics, World History an electives like Computer Science/Coding)
Did your child use the school's college office
To me - their Guidance Office and College Office are very proactive. They have a set calendar for the juniors and seniors and keep parents and students updated weekly on everything from internships, application deadlines, SAT/ACT seminars, and have regular parent night workshops to walk through the college application stages from beginning of Junior year and will continue through graduation. So far I think they are very good at keeping us updated. They don't do as many college tours as I'd like- but they are continually expanding that area.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give

A self motivated student who enjoys academics and debate. There is not a ton of HW, but enough that a child not great with prioritizing might feel overwhelmed.




·         Poly Prep Country Day School
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Upper School
·         LocationDyker Heights, Brooklyn
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your
Note - this is a private school. It is a non-profit and gives lots of partial scholarships but is tuition-based. Poly Prep's Brooklyn campus is nicer than some colleges. Their motto is "Mind, Body, Character", and they have excellent facilities for all of those. There are playing fields and a sports/fitness center, arts of all kinds, a real theater, many teachers with advanced degrees, and small classes. Language choices include Latin and Mandarin. Many travel opportunities. Last year my daughter went to Italy with the Latin Club and this year she will go to Germany and Prague with the Concert Choir. It is academically very demanding, although a student who excels in another area such as art or athletics could get by with less than perfect grades. Graduates go to all different colleges including Ivy Leagues. In general the teachers are very supportive, and will offer assistance if your child is struggling. The Upper School is relatively small (about 120 students per grade) so everyone knows everyone else, which is usually good, but not always.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give

Listen to your child, and think about what is best for him/her. They are the ones who have to go there every day!

·         The Quad Preparatory School
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Alternative School for Gifted Children who learn differently
·         LocationEast Village NYC
Q4: Is this the school your child attends now?
Please write a review of your
The Teachers are top notch; the curriculum is integrative and highly innovative. Education is truly individualized with mentoring 1:1 classes, independent inquiry and cross curricular inquiry based projects. Support of social thinking is integrated throughout the school day. Leadership and staff incredibly responsive. Communication is very satisfactory.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
 What is the ONE piece of advice you would
Best fit for who your child is - the whole person




·         Reach Academy
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Special Needs High School
·         LocationWestchester County
 Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience
My child was lucky enough to transfer out. The school is appalling. I was unable to find out how the grades were generated. My child never had tests and rarely homework. After making inquiry, the principal became hostile and certain of the teachers began to bully my child. For the first two years they "yessed" me to death and I had no idea they were wasting my child's time. I believed the principal who said they were working very hard at school. This turned out to be a bad joke. They did not prepare my daughter for her RCTs/Regents. Parents beware.
 Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Do NOT recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give

Question everything and if the answers are not supported by what you are seeing, get out fast.





·         Eleanor Roosevelt High School
·         LocationManhattan
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         no, he or she already graduated in June 2014
Please write a review of your experience:
My daughter got a great education at ELRO thanks to some exceptional teachers. The school is small so it doesn't have a big gym, but the labs and art rooms are well-equipped and they have the latest technology. There is one college counselor who does give each student at least two private meetings during their Junior and Senior year. Socially the school is cliquey, and my daughter did not have "good" friends until her senior year. There is an AP program and each student is only allowed to take 2 AP classes per year during Junior and Senior year because all of the other classes are taught at a high level. My daughter is not especially interested in math, but she took AP Calculus because she liked the teacher and over 80% of the students got 5's on their AP Calculus exam.
 Did your child use the school's college office
We used the college office for two private visits. My daughter could have gotten more help if she had been more assertive. The college counselor got back to me by email about questions that I had about the college process. The office was on top of getting transcripts and recommendations to the colleges.
 Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would

This is a small school which has some limits, but each student does get personalized attention.

·         School of the Future High School
·         Location22nd Street and Lexington
 Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience
My daughter came to SoF from a small private school and is now a junior. All in all it has been a very positive experience. The school is small enough that everyone gets a tremendous amount of attention. My daughter arrived way behind in a few subjects and the teachers worked hard with her to make sure she caught up. In two and a half years she has gone from an indifferent student to a passionate honors student. The teachers are uniformly strong. The building is old, and I know the school struggles a little to provide more extra curricular activities. But SoF is a great example of a "working" NYC high school: kids with different abilities and really learning from each other and succeeding. It is also TRULY diverse.
Did your child use the school's college office
Yes--they have been responsive and helpful.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?

·         Highly recommend



·         
Special Music School High School
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Piano
·         LocationUpper West Side
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your
I'm the mother of a 14-year-old special needs teen. This is my son's first year in a mainstream school. It is a music school, so I figured the music classes would be of high quality (which they are). What I wasn't expecting was the extremely high quality of the academic classes. The teachers are not only there to teach, but they have truly inspired my son. In addition, the school is unusually supportive and sensitive to his special needs. Both the administrators and the teachers have demonstrated an exceptional atmosphere of caring and support. The students each have an advisor who touches base with them each week. What's more, I feel there has been excellent communication from each teacher, which helps to keep my son on track.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give

This is a school for gifted musicians, and it requires an audition to be accepted. I feel so very fortunate to have found this exceptional school for my son.




·         Stuyvesant
·         LocationManhattan
 Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience
Stuy is a wonderful school--for the right student. As with every large school, those who can advocate for themselves will do well, and the school encourages this. There are some terrific teachers to be found--as well as some who are not, unfortunately--and the computer science, english, and history departments seem to have especially strong faculty. The math department offers college-level classes as well as intriguing choices for those who'd rather not go on to advanced math. There is a well-regarded science research track. Stuyvesant has stringent guidelines and prerequisites for Advanced Placement courses. While this means that students with lower grade point averages may not be able to take many AP classes, the school is working to ensure that every student has the chance to take at least one. They also strongly discourage students from signing up for too many APs. The music program is terrific; we've been less happy with the world language department. Overall, I've been surprised at how nurturing the school is and on the number of teachers and other adults who know my child. The student body is diverse, with many children of immigrants from a wide range of countries. And the students are, as we expected, very, very bright, which can make this an intimidating place for those who came from schools where they were among the best and the brightest; suddenly there are hundreds just like them. Surprisingly, it doesn't feel overly competitive; but the school attracts students who work very hard and put a lot of pressure on themselves. The workload is significant but can be managed; still, this is not a school for students who aren't highly motivated. Opportunities abound in and out of the classroom; the physical plant is in very good shape, and one of the greatest challenges for all students is to learn to thread a path through the possibilities to find the track that works for them as individuals.
Did your child use the school's college office?
We haven't used it yet. They do a lot to get information to families, which helps offset the reality that there are three college counselors for 800+ students in a class. There is an annual college fair and the school sponsors a couple of college trips.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give

Look past the name brand--and the chaos on the tours for popular schools--and be sure that your child really wants to go here. There's no substitute for an in-person visit if you can manage it.

·         Stuyvesant High School
·         LocationNYC
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Please write a review of your experience
Great facility, great communication to parents. Great place for smart kids to be among other smart kids. However... Unfortunately, there is still a false equation of overwork = excellence. For example, teachers are not supposed to assign more work over vacation than would be reasonable over a weekend, yet they did. When I complained, the new principle, Ms. Zhang, emailed me that she had tried but could not change that culture. Some teachers were amazing, for example, computer science teacher Mr. Zamansky, who is leaving next year. And Mr. Ferencz, who read all my son's essays and gave great critiques. But, some were seriously horrible, like the science professor, Mr. Majewski, who required the students in homework assignments to hand-write out all the answers, even the wrong ones, and when my son abbreviated, told him he was stupid and would end up at the college next door, BMCC. (Which is where I teach, sigh.) Stuy has some great student groups, a giant debate club, writing club, they do a great job of encouraging this type of extracurricular.
Did your child use the school's college office?
They were really helpful. Lots of info, help for parents, a trip to NYU. Very good.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend with reservations
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give

Stuy has great facilities, but it is too stressful.



·         
Urban Academy
·         Location317 E 67th St, New York, NY
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your experience
My daughter transferred to Urban Academy this year after severe test anxiety at her previous school--one of NY's specialized high schools. It was a hard decision, especially because she transferred after her junior year and had to commit to being at Urban for two more years. It turned out to be the best decision we could have made. She is thriving at Urban. The classes are interesting and creative, and her teachers are excellent. Her previous school was rigidly academic. Urban offers challenging classes, but emphasizes creativity as well. My daughter has taken an English class on Dickens, a history class on the Depression, and a darkroom photography class. This semester, she is taking a history class on the Holocaust, a science class on animal behavior, and a college class on the philosophy of tragedy at Sarah Lawrence. Report cards includes narratives and the school holds parent teacher conferences. It has been a fantastic experience and, my daughter, who suffers from social anxiety as well, is making good friends and has social life. We could not be happier.
 Did your child use the school's college office
My daughter has her first meeting with the college counselor this week, and I have a parents meeting with the college counselors later this month.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
 What is the ONE piece of advice you would
New York's high school process is very difficult and things can change. If your child is unhappy, look for other options. It may not be easy, but there are some good options available.


·         Urban Academy
·         LocationUpper East Side
Q4: Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your experience
My daughter transferred in this fall, as a sophomore. Wasn't an easy decision to leave her previous school but the homework, Regents driven curriculum, focus on grades/scores/etc was too much pressure on her (although she 'did well' grades-wise) and left her with no time to do things she loved. Urban has been a godsend. Curriculum is deep and interesting, she's made friends, loved every second of being in the annual school musical, and has her confidence and her own voice back. The teachers know her well, provide detailed narrative feedback as well as grades, and were very attentive during her first rocky days in a new setting.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend


·         Xavier High School
·         LocationManhattan
Q4: Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Please write a review of your
This is an all boys Jesuit Catholic school with a military focus. The teachers are top notch! The facility is great and centrally located. They have tons of sports, tons of clubs, a great band, and more. Problems are nipped in the bud and everyone is expected to toe the line.
Did your child use the school's college office?
As freshmen, the boys start getting introduced to the college process. Their guidance counselor leads them through which courses to pick. My son's military commander also outlined how my son could get into his top choice school. There is a college information night for parents of freshman. The information gets more specific as the young men get older.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give

Where will your child be happy?










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