2016 High School Reviews

     Academy for Careers in Film and Television
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Grip and Electric
·         LocationLong Island City
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         no, he or she already graduated in June 2015
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         yes
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: What I really love about this school is that they follow up on their students after they graduate whether they followed the traditional college path or are exploring other options. My son's former production teachers continue to encourage kids from all graduating classes. Some are working part time as teacher's assistants in the production department in the school. They are also invited to attend after school industry related workshops and are kept informed about potential entry level job openings. Other graduates work with the production department in Next Step Pictures which is an in house video production company. Current students and graduates work with industry professionals and get training and hands on experience in managing and working in a viable production company. I love it because I have never experienced or heard about any other high school doing anything like this.
 Did your child use the school's college office? My son opted to take a gap year to explore the "industry" and the College Counsellor told him that when he is ready to apply to college, she will be happy to help him apply.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.
Know your child and realize that there are many paths to success. It's about the best fit for your child, not necessarily a prestigious school.

·         Academy of American Studies
·         LocationLong Island City
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
 Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: We're really pleased with how it's going at Academy of American Studies (AAS). This freshman year has been full of activities for our teen, and like for so many others, learning the new level of time management that becomes necessary in high school. The teachers have been great, especially the math and science teachers -- and as a school with a history focus, this was something we parents were watching carefully. The administration has been attentive, although our teen was stuck with a foreign language placement that she was unable to successfully appeal (Spanish instead of French due to space limitations, despite the fact that she had previous French instruction). That in itself was a lesson. But they've been great since mid-year when a teacher initiated a discussion with our teen about next year's course work and how that leads through senior year and college. They're really encouraging our teen to stretch herself, but without the "pressure cooker" atmosphere that can be found at some of the more competitive high schools.
Did your child use the school's college office? We haven't used it yet, but general guidance regarding courses has been very good.
Q8: Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.

Don't assume that only the elite schools are the good ones. 

·         Archbishop Molloy
·         LocationQueens
 Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
 Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: This is his second year. So far, his teaches have been helpful and accessible. If there is an issue, I can email & get a quick response. For the most part, the school does not take any crap. In the almost 2 years that he has been there, I have heard of 4 expulsions.
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?
So fat, we have not had any contact with the college office. There is a college night scheduled for Sophomores in April.
 Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
 What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.
        G o and visit the school. You and your child will know the right school for you after visiting.·        

       Bard -  BHSEC
·         LocationManhattan
 Is this the school your child attends now?
·         no, he or she already graduated in June 2015
 Have you already reviewed this school?
·         yes
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: Not sure when I reviewed the school, but certainly before my daughter completed the "College" program. The last 2 years of the program were really amazing, and have paid off in big ways. As a freshman she does not have to take many mundane required classes (she has 78 college credits) and she is well prepared to participate in high level discussion and writing based courses in college.
 Did your child use the school's college office? The college office was excellent, unlike many bigger schools each counselor only had about 20 kids. my daughter knew what schools she wanted to apply to, but they were very structured and helpful at all stages of the process.
 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 who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.
The first 2 years of this program, where they do the Regents curriculum in 2 years (instead of 4) are an insane grind. I would only recommend it to kids who just do all their work without question. The pay off, the second two year college program, is pretty great, but you have to go though hell to get there.

·        BHSEC - Manhattan
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         no, he or she already graduated in June 2015
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
 Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: 
LIke all schools, BHSEC has teachers both good and bad. Most of them have PhDs, and many are fairly young. We had two kids at BHSEC, and the quality of the teachers generally improved over the six years we were there. The work is serious business. If your child is used to getting straight As, they should get used to the idea that that will be very difficult to accomplish. The compressed high school program requires a lot of reading and writing, and sometimes teachers don't provide enough feedback for students to understand exactly what is expected of them. The college program is just that -- college work for college credit. It is difficult and time-consuming, and worthwhile for those who are willing to do the work. Both of my kids thought it was too much -- the rigor of the program and the quality of the work that was expected. Judging from how they dealt with it, I'd have to agree. It's not the right place for everyone. Being smart isn't enough; students have to want the kind of education BHSEC offers, otherwise resentment can result. I was very impressed by the administration. When a kid is struggling, the teachers generally pay attention, as do the excellent guidance counselors (shout-out to Leah Gesoff and Sara Haberman!), who really know every student. As far as feedback is concerned, we got no surprises at conferences; they do need to work on ongoing communication better so that if a student misses an assignment or other work, we should hear about it as soon as possible so we can address it with our kids. It isn't a good fit for students who aren't willing to work. It's a great place for students who want to work very hard and get a terrific education. They will be very prepared for college upon graduation.

 Did your child use the school's college office? 
BHSEC has an active college transfer office. Advisory in 11th and 12th grades is all about the college process. There's a college trip for juniors (Year 1s) in June; most of the students go. Students work on their essays in advisory and do peer review and editing. They learn how to fill out the common app and write requests for letters of recommendation there as well. The CTO will answer any questions parents have, and they hold several meetings for families dealing with the process. CTO advisors meet with students to help them figure out which schools are appropriate for them, and they are expert at dealing with the paperwork. All in all, it was a very helpful office.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend
 What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.

Advice: Understand your child's strengths and challenges so that you can find a place that can support them if they need it; try to be as sure as you can that the program and the style of teaching works for the way your child learns best.


           Beacon School
·         LocationNY, NY
 Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
 Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
 Please write a review of your experience in the box provided:
Many of the teachers are on the younger side but are humane, intelligent, worldly and thoughtful. The curriculum is also well designed and the school is well organized. The size of the school is fairly ideal and the extracurriculars, sports, and school spirit are all strong. I feel the workload is reasonable and balanced. In general, my son has rarely stayed up late doing homework even with his extensive after school sports life. The English, Global, Language, Arts are probably the strongest, and the Science and Math are good, but not super cutting edge. It is not very STEM-oriented although AP courses are offered. In general, I feel it is a happy student body. We haven't had any difficult situations so I can't report on that. My son's advisory is not especially good and we haven't learned too much from the two meetings per year at the school. However, the open house was incredible and made me wish I could be 16 and go to this school. Although some earlier reviews mentioned the drug scene, we've seen no direct evidence of that. My son takes his sports experience there very seriously and most of his school social life revolves around that.
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?
We haven't used it yet. Most graduates seem to go to small to medium liberal arts colleges, some of them very elite. They also have a program to pair parents with seniors who are writing essays.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
 What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.
If you are looking for a school that is very STEM oriented, this might not be your place. However, even if you want to pursue science or math in college, you can get the courses at Beacon to do that. This is an inquiry based program and class participation is highly valued; if you or your child is shy or less able to engage, it may not be the best fit.



·         Bronx Science High School
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)NA
·         LocationBronx
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: Teachers ate fantástic And dedicated The facility is spacious and clean and cry well organized They offer a variety of AP classes as well as afterschool options and summer program. We are constantly informed of any difficult situation and how is going or was handled. The school has an extremely efficient team of professionals and staff who keeps the parents body informed and up to date. Feedback is always received after checking with pupil path. If I have questions, teachers are very fast responding.
 Did your child use the school's college office? NA - we will just start the process of college application
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.
Visit the school See other families who are applying. Make sure your child likes the school.
·       

·         Bronx Science
·         LocationBronx, NY
 Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
·         no, he or she already graduated in June 2015
 Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: The faculty and administration are very responsive and helpful. As a result, this makes the school feel like a much smaller school. My daughter has had a wonderful Freshman year. Her teachers have been excellent. She came into the school with a focus/strength in the humanities, but now loves math and science due to the high quality of teaching. There are many after school clubs and sports teams and the school has a lot of spirit. The kids are very nice and friendly according to my daughter. There are also a wide breadth of course offerings and an abundance of AP courses. There is a good deal of homework, but my daughter says it is manageable, about two and a half hours each night. There are also a lot of tests, but since there are so many tests, no one test counts that much, so that alleviates some of the pressure. Definitely a challenging academic curriculum, but the teachers and administration do a lot to support the students. Overall, a very good school.
Did your child use the school's college office? NA
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.
Talk to current families at the school

      Brooklyn Latin School
·         LocationBrooklyn, NY
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: This is a school that makes a difference. Students are taught how to THINK - how to be very good critical thinkers, to speak eloquently in public, and to confidently explain their points of view. The students are very smart, well-rounded, polite, and appreciative of all resources available. Many earn full scholarships upon graduation. The teachers and administration work 1000% for the students' benefit, and it has great results. TBLS offers a classic, liberal arts education where students are offered a challenging IB curriculum. Students work very hard and have to be serious about their academics. The student population is diverse, consisting of a high percentage of Latino, African-American, and Asian students as well as various religious affiliations. Many are low income and achieve successes despite their limited resources. This is what makes TBLS even more special. The faculty is well-educated and all offer after school tutoring as well as advise clubs and coach sports teams. They respond quickly to any contacts. Administration is accessible and responsive to parent concerns. For example, the building is shared with two other schools. We have a harmonious relationship with them because administration from all the schools has been proactive in assuring student safety. There is always reluctance to apply to this school because of the uniform, but the way I see it, my son doesn't have to waste time in the morning fussing over his clothes. Plus, he has an amazing after school and weekend wardrobe because we only spent a few bucks on the uniform.
 Did your child use the school's college office? We are just beginning to work with the college office because my son is a junior. They seemed knowledgeable and organized. They had a questionnaire which will help them target colleges and with the recommendations.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.
Make sure you can all see your student going there for 4 years.


     Brooklyn Prospect Charter School
·         LocationBrooklyn, NY 11218
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: I believe that the skills of the teachers are adequate. My main concern is the high turn over rate. This applies to teachers and staff at all levels. We've had at least one or more teachers leave during the school year, every year (middle and now high school). This is very disruptive to my sons education. He's on his third science teacher as of February this school year. This also makes it difficult to develop a relationship with the school. Students rely on these relationships for letters of recommendation for college and jobs. BPCS in Windsor Terrace is a middle and high school. It's very overcrowded. The director is busy opening up more schools (1 or 2 more middle schools) and I feel he's losing focus on the high school, which has its first graduating class thus June. As an average, not high-achiever, student, I'm very dissatisfied with the "school" looking out for my sons best interest.
 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 who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.
Choose a program that best matches your child's abilities, where they will thrive and not be too overwhelmed and destined to fail. 

          Brooklyn Prospect Charter School
·         LocationBrooklyn
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: My son began at BPCS in middle school and is now a high school junior. He has thrived at this school. The teachers are creative, engaged and energetic. My son, who didn't like to read, became excited about books after reading Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Are Watching God. He's proud to be in the IB program and is doing well. The school is the high school equivalent of a small liberal arts college -- which is where he wants to go next.
Did your child use the school's college officeEverything has been smooth, though as a junior my son hasn't moved into the college eye of the storm.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.
If you're looking for a small school setting with highly attentive teachers and staff, choose BPCS.
·        


            Brooklyn Technical High School
·         LocationFort Greene Brooklyn
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: While Tech is a huge school, the administration goes out of its way to try a create a sense of community and involvement. I have found the teachers want to support students as much as possible, and have a number of ways they get kids the extra help they might need. I was pleasantly surprised that, during the afternoon of parent/teacher conferences I was able to meet with every one of my son's teachers and spend as much time as needed to discuss his progress. My son seems more involved with his schoolwork and extra curricular programs than he ever was before. I am very happy with this high school!
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend

            Brooklyn Tech
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)na
·         LocationFort Greene, Brooklyn, NY
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: Both my son and myself have been very happy with BK Tech in the 7 months that he has been there. Good teachers, good support, great kids. He likes the large size, so for him that is a plus. Being on a sports team has really added to his experience: it's given him a community, and been another resource within the school. Although one of my son's teachers and his guidance counselor are both new at Tech, with one (other) exception, all of his teachers (and gc) seem enthusiastic and good at what they do, and most importantly, to know my son well.
Did your child use the school's college office? not yet
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.
Be honest with yourself, and your child, and help your child be honest about his/her strengths, weaknesses, ambitions, preferences.

          Brooklyn Technical High School
·         LocationFt. Greene
 Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: I have one child who is a junior at BTHS and one who will be a freshman there next year. The older one is in the Mechatronics and Robotics major and is interested in becoming an engineer. He is also on the Robotics team and the soccer team. The younger one is interested in the Software Engineering major. The quality of teaching is like everywhere else, some are better than others. The classes available offer a good range of subjects and levels and there are many interesting majors to choose from. The facility has a lot to offer, such as the robotics lab, but many items are in need of repairs, such as technology and equipment. The PTA is currently campaigning for more funding because the school is funded at a lower level than the other specialized high schools. Academic information is all online so it is fairly easy to check on your child's progress. The teachers are generally responsive to parent communications. The administration is proactive in responding to difficult situations and parent and student concerns.
Did your child use the school's college office? We are just getting started with the college process. The school has offered quite a few helpful workshops and presentations for parents and also there is a large college fair each year.
 Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend
 What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.
Don't assume that what "everyone" says is always true for you, make up your own mind instead of just jumping on the bandwagon. Don't panic. The process is daunting but there is a good chance you will get one or more of your top choices.


·         Brooklyn Technical High School
·         LocationFort Greene, Brooklyn
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: Our experience with the school has been mostly positive but definitely mixed. The good: Communication. The school is huge and yet it is easy to communicate with teachers and administrators. For example, our son had a mistake in his original schedule, and it was fixed within 24 hours. There is a daily email newsletter. Teachers use pupil path and answer email. Curriculum. The curriculum is definitely at a high level. My son is getting a good education. The kids. The school is full of kids (and families) who take education seriously, so it is a good atmosphere, conducive to learning. So far, the atmosphere is not competitive. Variety. The school is so large they can offer a lot of different activities and courses. My son has joined the debate team and is enjoying it so far and of course it is a great way to meet people in a large school. Guidance. Though our experience is limited so far, I've been favorably impressed. This is often a weakness in high school, but my son's guidance counselor has been very helpful and he genuinely feels comfortable dropping in to discuss problems. He also has communicated with me. The mixed: Teachers. Perhaps not surprising - it is a NYC public school - but the teaching is very uneven. My son has an amazing and inspiring English teacher this semester, whereas other teachers have not been great. The social studies teachers (he has had two - the only course that changed) have both been genuinely awful, in different ways. The facilities. Some aspects of the facilities are fine. It is clean and orderly and technology and labs are good. However, the building is huge and tall and kids sometimes don't have quite enough time between classes without running. Lockers are inside classrooms and so my son doesn't use his at all. Also, he says that the library gets 'full' and then no one else can come in. That is not acceptable in a school. The Engineering requirements. All students must take pre-engineering classes even if they are not interested. This year has been hard - they have drafting and my son hates it and is not that good at the drawing part. They did just change next year's requirement to be Computer Science, a much more sensible requirement that he is pleased about - though again students who are not interested probably should not be required to take it. The cons: The size. The school said at the accepted students days that they do things to help students get to know each other and create smaller groups within the large school. This was simply not the case. There is nothing. It was really overwhelming at first, and my son is outgoing. Slowly, over the course of the year, he is meeting more people and getting used to the size.
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 who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.

Look at the fit between your kid and the school - not just the reputation. Size, atmosphere, curriculum, mix of students.

·         Essex Street Academy
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)N/A
·         Location350 Grand Street, New York, NY 10002
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: 
Teachers are a mixed bag. Like a lot of smaller schools, there isn't a lot of choice as far as courses. You should also be aware that due to staffing (which determines the course offerings) if your child starts with Spanish 1 in 9th grade, Essex Street only teaches Spanish 1 & 2 (9th and 10th), and also AP Spanish. Your child will have to start another language in 11th in that case. The school presents itself as student centered, which has its pluses. One major downside that you should be aware of, is that while that sounds good, things like student led parent meetings (which just have the student summarizing the jumprope - their report system) are going to INSTEAD of parent teacher meetings where you get the down low on what's going on at school, where you child might need help, etc. The grading at the school is process oriented, i.e., did each step along the way get submitted, rather than towards content. So the grade doesn't necessarily reflect grasp of the subject matter. I have heard a couple of upperclassmen had rude rude shocks when taking a subject test, because a good grade doesn't mean you know the material; similarly, a student with organizational deficits will have a lower grade for missing the procedural benchmakrs. There are some motivated students, but many are not exactly that. If your child is disrupted by other students playing a game on their phone or getting onto facebook during class, this is going to be a problem. Essex Street does not participate in the Open Schools program, so you will never see what goes on inside the classroom. About 30% of the students roughly have IEPs, but most of them seem to be for learning issues and/or family problems. Essex Street Academy has an army of social work interns that are attached to the Greenwich Village Youth Council, so IEPs come down to counseling with one of these. Some of them are helpful, others far from it. Most are first semester social worker students. If this is what your child needs, you're in luck. If not, that's basically it. If you check the school's record on the DOE website, you will see that only the counseling component of IEP's is consistently implemented. What that also means, I should add, is that your child will be missing out on class time for those counseling sessions, which may or may not even be what is called for. They have an army of (free) hammers, so everybody is a nail. Many of the staff are very friendly and committed to the students. Many aren't so much. One of the most insidious (in my opinion) aspects of this is the repeated references to the school as an "inner city school" and the students as "inner city students". What's inner city in NYC? Trump Tower? They don't mean that. What they mean is minority or low income, which indeed many/most of the students are. Along with this comes an unmistakable air of condescension by several of the staff. Not fun to be on the receiving end of. Most importantly, I want to stress, that ALL of this is up for unknown changes. The Principal who has headed up the school had down an amazing job from what I can see - certainly, it's part of what was attractive about this high school. She was on maternity leave for a good chunk of last year, and things got much less focused at the school in her absence. Parents have since received an email that she is leaving Essex Street at the end of this school year to spend time with her family. I have not heard who the potential replacements are - and so the direction of the school is very much an unknown.

Did your child use the school's college office?
College office is excellent. In fact, it's probably the strongest part of the school. I should note that when you are visiting the school during the fall high school choice period, the person you are most likely to meet is the College Placement Counselor. She is phenomenal at finding internships, providing information and guidance - everything. A+++
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 who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.

Parents need to be more of a voice here. The school has potential, and works for some, but it falls short where it could easily be succeeding
·         
             
      Heschel High School
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)NA
·         LocationUpper West Side/Columbus Circle area
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: I have two daughters at this school who are totally different types of students. One is bright but needs lots of extra supports. The other is a gifted student. I am happy to report that both their needs are met well at Heschel, where the classes are small, the expectations high and the support of every type in plentiful supply.
Did your child use the school's college office? Yes. Older daughter is a junior, so limited experience so far, but so far so good. They have very structured approach, holding meetings just for parents and some with students. They have both parents and students fill out a questionnaire asking about strengths, weaknesses and priorities. Then they meet first alone with the student to discuss what she is looking for, and then have a meeting with student and parents, to offer a preliminary list of schools to consider in every category (safety, target and stretch). Some of the schools we thought they were on target with, others not. But having had a child in a well-regarded public high school and having received virtually no help with the college process there, I'm glad it's different at Heschel.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.
Identify your child's 3 most pressing needs, and look for a school that can fulfill them.


·         Hudson High School of Learning Technologies
·         LocationChelsea
 Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: The first 2 years I felt like we received too much information - notifications through the computer system for every assignment - with a constant update on grade, which always seemed more alarming than it should have if a missing assignment registered a 0, but could be made up. The last 2 years we have received very little information, except for the semi-annual parent teacher conferences. I much preferred this. Curriculum isn't super-ambitious, and I feel like the first couple of years (it was a new school when he entered) the teachers were still developing their all online/computer curriculum. In the end though, it was probably a great fit for our son, who had an IEP and struggled in middle school and at the beginning of high school. He found supportive and in some classes, inspirational teachers and was accepted to some relatively competitive schools (all his reach schools, to our surprise and delight). Focus is on experiential learning and there wasn't too much homework, but the school runs extra help session
 Did your child use the school's college office? I didn't feel the college office was very helpful. It seemed like most of the students from this school only aspired to community college, and they were of limited help to our son as he aspired to attend a liberal arts school. We spent a lot of time with him and also hired someone to help. The high school was timely in their transcript/recommendation submissions, though.
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 who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.
Be realistic about your child's abilities and needs.
·        

·         Hunter College High School

·         71 E. 94th Street, NYC 
       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 provided: By and large, my son's teachers have been excellent, some exceptional. He gets lots of homework, but it is never busy work. The curriculum is thoughtful, challenging and broad in way that inspires a deep level of learning. The environment is quite intense but I wouldn't say it's competitive; the current (wonderful) principal has done a lot to address the school's climate and is conscious of doing what he can to alleviate stress. Hunter's communication is generally excellent, and teachers and department chairs are available to address concerns.

        Did your child use the school's college officeNot yet, though the guidance office sends out regular college prep emails. It seems like a priority at the school.

       Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend

        What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.

        Hunter offers a remarkable education for highly motivated, very organized kids who are eager to learn.
·        


·         James Madison High School
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Law Program
·         Location3787 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11229 at Quentin Road


I     Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
      Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
      Please write a review of your experience in the box provided:
 I wish more families in my circle of friends would consider James Madison High School for their teen. It is unfortunate that the perception of the school is that the culture is "deep Brooklyn" - whatever that means. Yes, it is primarily a zoned school, and the families tend to be working class. (don't be a snob!) This high school was established in 1925 and has a history of notable alumni in the humanities and athletics including Bernie Sanders, Ruth Bader Ginzberg, Carol King, Stanley Kaplan (yes - of the test empire), William Gaines the founding publisher of Mad Magazine and so many more very interesting people. There are 2 screened programs - the Law Institute and Information Technology. The zoned kids have a choice of 7 "houses" to focus their studies including Bio-Med, Finance, Community Service, Liberal Arts, a Special Learners house and more. Once you are in the school, if the screened program isn't your heart's desire, you can easily transfer into one of the other programs. It is a very large school with over 3,000 kids to manage. As with any school of this size, there are pluses and minuses. There are about 11 guidance counselors, and I have found them to be very accessible. Help is available if you ask for it but there is no hand holding or weekly advisory. Some teachers are fantastic, some are duds (older sister at Laguardia had the same experience with teachers). There is every kind of elective imaginable, and with 3 gyms, a football field, a swimming pool and tennis courts, a student can hone their talent or explore a new one. The theater teachers have connections to broadway, and last year my daughter worked with professionals at the Roundabout Theater and (to my dismay), turned town an opportunity to get involved with their teen program. To me, this is a suburban school (large and zoned) in an urban setting, which makes it a unique school in the greatest city in the world.
      
      Did your child use the school's college office
We have just started the process of college search, so I don't have too much experience with this college office. They use Navience, which I like, and the college counselor is responsive to my e-mails and phone calls.
     Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend
h    What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.

This is a good school for a kid who is independent and can find their own way. Get involved in something right away - theater, sports, a club. There you will meet other focussed kids
·               
·        

        LaGuardia HS
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Visual Art
·         LocationManhattan
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: I think the art education my child is getting is phenomenal. I think the rest of the academics lack imagination. It's too old school in its approach to learning, which I find ironic is a school that caters to the artistic and imaginative student. It does the Arts well, but the academics need a major shot in the arm. There is too much rote learning, teaching to the test, and overall emphasis on infusing students with data that they have to regurgitate on a test. I would think that by now educators/schools would realize the lack of education that actually happens in those contexts. I realize this school is subject to the test-to-death mentality of the NYS, but other schools in the city innovate in their curricula in spite of that. LaGuardia does not. LaGuardia is good for art, but not so great when it comes to innovative learning.
Did your child use the school's college officeN/A
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 who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.
What does your child want? How do they learn best? That should be your major consideration.

L    LaGuardia High School for the Arts
·         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
 Have you already reviewed this school?
·         yes
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: Since I reviewed LaGuardia last year, I have been increasingly frustrated with the principal. She is not an effective leader and has been trying to change the culture of the school. So many assistant principals, guidance counselors, and teachers have left, and the ones who are there are not happy. As a result, the learning environment has been corrupted. All in all, my child is still happy there, but he is passionate about his art. I did not send my second child there because he just thought the "Fame" school was cool. If your child is not into their talent 110%, this is not the right school for them. The long hours and commute are killer.
Did your child use the school's college office? The school does not have a college office, but guidance counselor has always gotten back to me immediately, sent out transcripts in a speedy manner and is very helpful.
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 who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.
Do not be fooled by name brands! Choose a school that is a right fit for your child, not based on reputation.


·         LaGuardia High School
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Visual Art
·         LocationManhattan
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         yes
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: My child is now a junior and we both continue to like and appreciate the school. I feel they support the whole child, which is still important as a teenager! Unfortunately she does have a couple of clunker teachers this year but overall her teachers have definitely been good to great. There's a couple of common thoughts about LGA which I want to address with my own opinion. 1. My daughter has been challenged by the academics. Her honors and APs teachers have been very good, though those classes do entail a lot of learning towards the AP test. That said, I think the assignments are much more creative than my older son's projects at another specialized school, for instance. 2. The visual arts classes continue to be top-notch, and those classes are her favorite. But it's true that kids really have to like the art section they are in. My daughter tells me of many kids who by 3rd year aren't really motivated or care about it anymore, which seems sad. She loves it, but I think it's hard to justify the long day if your child does not. 3. Many students are go-getters, they get high grades, they do their art, they also do sports or other outside activities. They make it work even with the long day. Does that sound like your kid? If so s/he will find many kindred spirits. Lastly, I have found the teachers to be so supportive and they really seem to know and like my child.

Did your child use the school's college office?
Yes, both my child and I have checked in with the college office as she is starting to look at colleges this year. She has had the same guidance counselor since freshman year and has visited her a few times already to check in on class selection, etc. Soon they will begin one-on-one meetings with the students, which is great becuase that's pretty early in the game I think. They use the Naviance system to help keep the student organized. They often have group or "class presentations" in school about college and many colleges visit the school in the fall. LGA also has a "conservatory specialist" who is open to meet with students or parents on applying to art or music schools. For parents, they have several evening presentations during the year and are starting to send out weekly coaching emails. It seems more far more organized and more sane than my previous experience with my older son. Still, it's a big school so my expectations are modest in terms of hand-holding.

Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
·          
·          What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.

Know your child and really listen to their concerns and wishes. Attitude can really make a difference in how they will embrace a new school.


·         LaGuardia
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Vocal Music
·         LocationUpper West Side
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided:

 My daughter came from a large middle school where she was in the drama program. She made it in for vocal with very little musical training, and in the course of her first two years has learned a lot of music theory, including sight-singing, discovered how to use her voice properly, and fallen in love with being part of a choir. Academically, she has had mostly good teachers, but some have been almost unbearable. When she was assigned the same teacher for a second year, we were able to get her schedule changed. The vibe at the school is ultra-accepting of all differences. She can be artistic and weird and find people who are right there with her.
Did your child use the school's college office?

 I have met with the counselor about college, just to touch base, but most of what they offer doesn't really start till Spring of Junior year. At the moment they use Naviance.

Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
·          
 What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.

If your child is creative and gets in, they should attend.



·          Millennium Brooklyn High School
·         Location7th Avenue and 4th Street, Park Slope
 Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: Millennium Brooklyn High School has stellar teachers. One is better than the next. For example, instead of reading a chapter of a textbook and answering questions, the class was asked to read the textbook and find examples of bias in the text (racial, ethnic, gender, etc.) They had to try to explain why the textbook might have been written with these biases. Then they were asked to re-write a small section of the textbook. The teaching is creative, engaging, and interactive. Some classes are inclusion (include students who are in general ed with students who have individualized education plans) and that's great. The only concern I have is that the program is not very rigorous. A highly motivated students can find ways to write more, study harder and do more, but most kids won't. My son is bored much of the time in school. Next year he will take more rigorous classes, so that should help. At parent teacher conferences, the teachers seemed to know my son well. They spoke about some interpersonal challenges he had and discussed strategies he could use to reduce his frustration when working on group projects.
Did your child use the school's college officeNot yet. This will begin in earnest in 11th grade. They have taken the PSAT in school, but we don't have the grades yet. We were told the college advisors are excellent.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.
Visit during open houses and also see if they will let your child sit in on classes during a regular school day.
·       

       Millennium Brooklyn
·         LocationPark Slope Brooklyn
 Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
 Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: We love Milllennium! The school does a great job of helping 9th graders acclimate to high school and build a strong learning community. Teachers are top notch, work is challenging, homework load is reasonable. My son has an IEP and the supports they have in place for kids with learning disabilities is phenomenal. Another great and unusual thing about the school is that the student body is truly diverse - racially and socioeconomically. This was very important to me in choosing a school for my son. My son has made a lot of friends - and is active in after school clubs - which the school has an increasing number of.
Did your child use the school's college office? Too soon
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.
Focus on what is the right environment for YOUR child - what are the priorities for you.
·         
·         Edward R Murrow
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)voice
·         LocationBrooklyn
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         Just started our first year
 Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided:Try Everything you hear about Murrow is true: It's a huge, diverse, exciting school that seems to be open 24 hours a day what with all the activities going on. It's also a school for kids (and their parents) who can self-direct and -advocate. Teachers are a mix of amazing, okay, and terrible. Scheduling is complicated and getting oriented to the school takes a while physically, emotionally, and logistically. Students in selective programs have a more ready-made cohort than gen ed kids but there are opportunities for everyone to meet each other. There's a little bit of false advertising in the clubs department--there aren't as many active clubs as they tell you. The school sends tons of emails and texts but also leaves something to be desired re communication: None of the in-house language is defined for newbies, calendars often have conflicting info, some staff and faculty are better about replying than others, and so on. The education so far seems more traditional than we'd like but there is really no other school that offers reasonably strong academics in a well-rounded setting with an emphasis on the arts.
Did your child use the school's college office? n/a
 Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.
Do not go by scores and placements. Find the school that best suits your child--and that's where they'll flourish.


·         Murrow HS
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Music institute
·         LocationMidwood Brooklyn
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Q5: Have you already reviewed this school?
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: Wonderful school with so much opportunity for kids. Various classes and programs. It is crowded and not all the teachers are great but overall it is a challenging and caring place. Not a jock schools but now there are minor team sports. Shows are big here.
 Did your child use the school's college office? Not yet
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.

Try to look beyond the hype. Speak with a lifelong New Yorker about the school.
·        
·         New York Harbor School
·         LocationGovernor's Island
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Have you already reviewed this school?
no
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: My child was so enthusiastic about attending NY Harbor School that he turned down several more "desirable" options. Yet our family's disappointment with the institution increased every year. There has been a revolving door of administrators and teachers, so our experience with consistency in curriculum and relationships with the students has been near non-exisitent. Although my child was fortunate to have some excellent and experienced teachers we have also had to deal with some who were woefully unprepared and perhaps unable to teach high school. That said, the building is lovely and the possibilities for the school's growth are many.
Did your child use the school's college office? The college office has been very helpful and well-informed.
 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 who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.
Probably best for a focused, self-contained student who does not need much support from the school.
       
·        
·         School for Math, Science and Engineering @ CCNY
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)Engineering
·         LocationManhattan
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         yes
Please write a review of your experience in the box providedSince my last review, I have noticed an increase in unhealthy academic pressure from the administration. For example, my child completed 10th grade with 34 credits. For some reason, at the end of the first semester of junior year (a semester in which he passed every class bringing him to somewhere around 40 credits), I received a promotion in doubt letter. My child and I were shocked and worried beyond belief! Not only did he have almost enough credits to graduate, he had more than enough math credits and was earning more. When I contacted the school about this alarming letter, I was told that it was being sent as a way to motivate the students who might be struggling. So essentially, they use fear tactics. I received another such promotion in doubt letter after the first marking period of spring semester junior year because my child is struggling in a class. Provoking fear and anxiety is not the best way to support students who are struggling in a very academically challenging school. Also, they push the students to get 90's on all their regents exam. My child received high 80's on a couple of the exams, but they scheduled him to retake them to get 90 or higher and they call the house with robo-calls encouraging the students to retake any exams in which they scored below 90. I think that is truly harmful and damages the self-esteem of students who are clearly among the brightest in the city and probably the country. The students definitely receive a rigorous and exceptional education, but there is a lack of attention to their social emotional development at best. At worst, it can be a damaging environment for many adolescents who end up feeling like failures if they are less than perfect.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend with reservations
·         

         Stuyvesant High School
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)N/A
·         LocationTribeca
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         yes
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: Stuy is a great school for students who are self-motivated, disciplined, and capable. The new principal is in her third year, and she is consistent in her focus on the whole child and on a reasonable homework policy. I have many times heard her say that it's not necessary to overload on AP or other advanced classes. Some of the assistant principals are superb, i.e. English, guidance, social studies. Actually, humanities classes in general are terrific. My child has had some amazing teachers as well as a few who haven't quite measured up, but on the whole the teaching staff has been impressive. I wish the school had room to diversify more advanced classes beyond the standard AP curriculum. The music program is particularly noteworthy. And all in all, it's a surprisingly nurturing place, with more teachers than not who have taken the time to know my kid. That said, many students put an enormous amount of pressure on themselves. It's an easy place to feel that you don't measure up, because no matter how bright you are, there is always someone more advanced than you. So...go in clear-sighted; your son or daughter has to want this, and my child says you can always tell the kids who are there only because their parents want them there. Still, for the right student, the school will push them in a good way, as many other schools will not. Homework: probably an average of 2-3 hours most nights except at the very end of the semester. Guidance counselors: I've heard mixed things, but my son's is wonderful.
Did your child use the school's college office? We're just starting to use the college office, and so far I've been impressed. Granted, there are 800 students in the class, and there is a limit to how much actual counseling they can do. But they're great at getting information out there. The PTA pays for each family to have a session with the college counselor, and I will say ours was quite good. Naviance is a hugely helpful tool. They seem on top of things, but it's understood that we'll have to do the bulk of the college search on our own.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Highly recommend
What is the ONE piece of advice you would give people who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.
For the high school decision, let your child lead the way. You should be on board, of course, but at this age they need to feel that they are in the driver's seat.

·         Stuyvesant High School
·         Specific Program or major (if applicable)N/A
·         Location345 Chambers St, New York, NY 10282
 Is this the school your child attends now?
·         no, he or she already graduated in June 2015
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided: 
I can tell you my child (who graduated in June) swears that the greatest thing that happened to him was going to Stuyvesant. It is a great school in many ways. It could be even more phenomenal with some changes - not even changes that cost money mind you - but I'm reviewing it as it is. First of all, the best thing really is the student body - the other students and the esprit de corps amongst them. The teachers are hit or miss - some amazingly great, some ho-hum, others absymal - but no matter what the teacher was like, my son felt he learned as much from the other students who were, pretty much without fail, very much like him. The school is rigourous (to put it mildly), and has serious grade deflation. Only a few students will be the stars at the top - and if your child needs or wants this, it's probably better to look for a smaller pond. The odds of being a big fish here are slim. Having said that, I found that the grade deflationary tendencies of Stuyvesant are well known to colleges, who understand how this high school grades. One college admissions counselor said to me, when I specifically asked, that the five hundredth ranked student at Stuyvesant is probably better than the valedictorian at most other schools. My son is at a very good private college which fronted a major merit scholarship, and Stuyvesant's reputation was a big part of that. No less, he's found that most of what he's doing as a freshman - he's done already. What's negative is the school culture, which starts with the admins and colors everything. While it's a blessing Stuy DOESN'T rank its students for college, it does within the school itself in ways it doesn't really need to. There is a shortage of AP courses, for example, and the GPA to be considered inches up each year from our experience. A lot of gatekeeping, in terms of the limited resources of the school. Because don't get confused and think there's something about what Stuyvesant offers that is so amazing and transformative. To the contrary. The school spends little per student - indeed, only a night school at Union Square spends less per student within District 2. Just over $12K per students - absolute rock bottom. There isn't enough of what's available to go around, and that is where the GPA fixation, the gatekeeping administrative behavior, comes in. So - not enough AP classes. The reality is that most Stuy students could take an AP exam and pass without taking an AP class - such is the work thrown at them. But the school really discourages this, which makes no sense - for students landing in colleges that accept the AP for credit, this is a huge cost saver, and it would lower the anxiety about getting into the AP classes. If your student needs support, this will be a painful experience. I would specifically say, students who are relatively weaker in math will have a harder time, given the emphasis on that subject, and that there is only one possible terminal degree - a Stuy diploma which requires 7 years in the math department to graduate (including the comp sci). My son was strong in math, he thought, but he came up against students who went to math camp, for example. Quite an eye opener. Most of what the students do are those Scantron tests, so in that sense, the SHSAT is a great screener. If you don't express what you know on a Scantron, you will hate this place with a vengeance and curse whoever steered you in its direction. The English and Social Sciences departments are superb, so I would encourage anyone who is admitted who leans in this direction to come here. By far, the best teachers my son had were in these departments. You have to be self-directed to a certain extent, and if so - you will love it. If not, this could be a painful experience. Given the anti-SHSAT sentiment in NYC, one odd result is that it almost seemed as if the school's staff were concerned about doing too much for a student. Given the bare bones spending per student, this shouldn't have been a concern, and yet it did play into the dynamic. In truth, there is an abundance of very bright, motivated students at Stuyvesant - ultimately, its greatest strength - and instead of proceeding with a scarcity mentality (there's not enough for all of you, enter the Hobbesian struggle for the top) a real sea change could be wrought by flipping that premise, and instead assuming that all can and will thrive there. Perhaps having the AP's by lottery, instead of making them so desperately fought for. In general, the better teachers who were truly interested in their material teach the AP's, and those who I'm not sure why they were there at all, who were barely phoning in so to speak, reading out Regents prep pages in monotone - teach the remaining ones. I do understand that the latter couldn't teach the AP's. But there has to be a better way.

Did your child use the school's college office? 
Yes, and the college office were certainly one of the weaker aspects of Stuyvesant. I got the very strong sense that their interest was in the senior class as a whole, and steered the weaker in their eyes students away from reach schools. I believe my son got one of the worst college counselors, and I am saving the amusing college recommendations made just for historical purposes. In short, she looked solely at GPA, in a static way at that, and didn't look at the broader picture of what schools made sense. Also did not take into consideration the fact that a family where the student gets free lunch (my son) wasn't going to be going to an out of state public school. It was, in short, just terrible. The college match on Cappex did a better job of suggesting schools to consider. College advisement happens in the second semester of the junior year, quite late in the game compared to other high schools. No less, up to this year there were three, small college trips organized by the school. There are moves afoot to limit that to one college trip. Very ruthless criteria were in place for getting onto one of these when they were three - only students with GPA's above 90 could hope/count on getting onto even one. So think of the premise underlying this: a student with an 87 GPA is not really college material. Yes, that is the mindset. When as a parent I scanned the last three years of (anonymized) college placement results, and saw students landing at BMCC and other community colleges, I could only imagine that a student talented enough to get in would have fared much better at a more nurturing school. Stuy's college office was very efficient at getting transcripts, etc. off to the colleges. You just can't rely on them to give you much more than what you could get by plugging your GPA into Naviance.
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 who are looking for the right school to help them choose the one that is the best fit for them/their family.

You need to be tough and be able to stand up for yourself to thrive here

            Stuyvesant High School
Is this the school your child attends now?
·         yes, now and for the last year or more
Have you already reviewed this school?
·         no
Please write a review of your experience in the box provided:
Most teachers my son have had so far are very prepared and engaged. The class size can be very large, but they seem to get to know the students very fast, however individual outreach is limited due to the sheer numbers of kids in the class/school. The school has tons of different offerings, although competition for certain courses can be extreme, and all the best classes give first choice to juniors and seniors. We don't get a lot of feedback from teachers, but they do communicate with our son very efficiently and all the time. I don't think parents are their first priority - they really encourage students to be autonomous and self-advocate. This does not work at all for some kids. The guidance counselors are not all good - they are also assigned over 300 kids each, so if you have no big problems, they do not bother with you.
Did your child use the school's college office? We don't know yet.
Would you recommend this school to other parents for their children?
·         Recommend




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