New School for the Arts

Fire the administration. Some teachers are awesome, but the school is totally lacking in leadership which is unprofessional, inappropriate and basically incompetent to work with teenagers, many of them from at risk situations. The result is high teacher turnover, which as others have pointed out can lead to academic failure and leave students unprepared for college level work. The art and creative writing teachers are excellent and supportive; every year I am amazed that the good teachers continue to put up with the ridiculous incompetence of the school leadership. I believe this problem is reaching crisis proportions and concerned parents, alumni, students and teachers need to demand regime change in the administration.
—Submitted by a parent

Although I agree that in the past this school has had some issues with students regarding drug use... I feel that they handled the problem since i last attended in my freshman year. I am very impressed with the selection of teachers this year. I am a senior, 16, and am mainly in the Vocal arts, but dabble in ceramics and photography. My only problem would be how "mainstream" the students are at this point, but with the school making their changes for the better, it is bound to become a little dull at times. I am thoroughly impressed with my teachers, and their humor. I am very happy to be at a school that is so accepting and welcoming. **be warned** your electronics should be held close, because, like anywhere else, they can be stolen. (personal experience) But overall, I would suggest this school to anyone who is genuinely dedicated to their arts. :]
—Submitted by a student

I absolutely love this school!. The teachers are thorough, and the school has really opened up my daughter. The only changes I would desire is a physical education-emphasis on physical, and a lunch program. All in due time.
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my oldest children are currently attending the middle school. One is in her first year and the other in her third. The majority of the staff is very open and accepting of all of the children. The variety of kids is amazing as are the parents. The curriculum is great, I love that the kids can test into their level of understanding. There are plenty of opportunities for the kids to get the help that they need if they're having trouble. Most of all I love how comfortable my kids are here. All of the additional stress they had in public schools about being labeled or not fitting in has lifted, and they now excel academically and socially. They are truly blossoming as students, artists but most of all as individuals. I We couldn't be happier!
—Submitted by a parent

All four of my children have attended NSAA. My eldest just graduated and is now in NYC attending a fine Art School. Although there have been changes in some of the faculty, changes in classes, changes all around-this is not something that is rare. All schools go through changes just as rules and new guidelines are mandated. I would not have my children attend any other school. They love their school; they do very well in their classes and excel in many areas. There are always going to be a few bad apples to upset the academic apple cart...not all teachers want to spend extra time and patience with their students. Those that do spend quality time with the students are the teachers that make a difference. NSAA puts their students first and have the most amazing Dance, Theatre and Art shows. Amazing. This is a unique school for unique students and individuals. If you like traditional schools producing kids like cookie cutters then this school is not for you or your child. An open mind and acceptance is what this school is all about. Promoting and supporting the individual talent in every student. Kudos to NSAA
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter just graduated from NSAA, she attended the school from 9-12th grade. He first year there was awesome, then a change in administration happened and the school was never the same. When she was a Freshman NSAA's Dance Company traveled and went to out of town events and competitions. By her Juinior year, they went no where but on-campus shows. My daughter was also into acting in the 4 year there, 3 different drama teachers. The turn over rate for teachers there is very high. They do have a couple of really great teachers, but unfornately there are only a couple. I don't recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my daughters third year at this school and it gets worse each year. If she didn't fight me over attending a regular public school I would have removed her a long time ago. The disappointments are too much to write here but first off like one of the other reviewers mentioned every talent she has had, they have squelched. They have had her switch instruments so many times that how can she really get good at any one. She literally can pick up and play ANYTHING so they have taken advantage of this but to her detriment. She has stopped playing her favorite instruments and it is so sad to see this. As for academics very few teachers are excellent. Most are awful! And there is no lab for the science classes. I would not recommend this school for any student whether they want art or academics! The idea like some have said is good. But administration even is poor at getting back to parents who have questions or concerns. I wish we could move the few good teachers to another art school and get something really positive going. But it is so sad my highly talented honors student will be graduating from such a poor excuse for an art school!!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter started as a freshmen this year and the support from the teachers and students has been fabulous. The teachers return e-mail questions promptly and the principal supports her teachers and is in synch with how each of them operates their classrooms. My daughter comes out to the car each afternoon with an amazing smile on her face. She loves this school. The student and teachers are warm and accepting.
—Submitted by a parent

Well, Im not sure what that student was talking about.My daughter has been at this school (NSAA) for 4 years and IS graduating a year early....she is 16 and this year is a senior...This is an excellent school..Great teacher,staff.....great classes...and most of all great kids...all who get to be who the are and not what someone else says they have to be..The school call the parents all the time for many reason..They have great communication with parents...If the student below is upset because there isnt a microwave or refrigerator for the students..then they are at the wrong school
—Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent school with amazing academics and arts- ignore the negative reviews. I would strongly suggest NSAA to any parent and my son and daughter have loved it for 4 years.
—Submitted by a parent

First of all, there is a school refridgerator so I'm not quite sure what the 'student' who posted on April 10th is talking about. Also, the 0 tollerance policy for being late/absent? I know this isn't exactly something to brag about but I'm late almost every morning due to the unreliability of the public transit system. That being said, I've never gotten in trouble. For being absent, as long as a parent calls in and excuses me- it is fine. There are a few teachers (notibly in the Science and Language departments) who have '0 tollerance' for being late but none of my other teachers are like that. As for the demeanor of the administration, I have never observed such traits. My only complaint is that there are a bunch of kids there (mostly Freshman) who seem to only be there for fun and the laid-back atmosphere.
—Submitted by a student

This school is terrible. The only positive thing is the arts program. The visual arts teachers are terrific and helpful. They are passionate and are professional artists. Negatives: Absolutely no lunch options, forced to eat off of a lunch truck. No microwave use for students. No refrigeration use for students. (Teachers and administration have complete access to microwaves and refrigerators. Must provide own transportation. 0 tolerance for being late or absent. (Aspects of policy are unfair in many areas.) No communication to students about upcoming events. No extra extracurriculars. School is obsessed with control, discipline, and punishment. Extremely difficult to change classes or graduate early. Administration is not helpful with courses whatsoever. The demeanor of the principal, assistant principals is consistently rude, impatient, unwilling, and hurtful. Atmosphere is intense and stressful. The school claims to involve arts and academics together, but fails at this miserably. Many teachers do not know what they are teaching.
—Submitted by a student

I have had to advise at least 5 students who were interested in enrolling in New School, against attending. The school is getting farther and farther away from focusing on the arts, and closer to an alternative school The zero tolerance policy is a joke. You have to look hard to find the focu on the arts. The school is a great concept, run horribly and out of touch with what an arts school should be.
—Submitted by a teacher

Great so far! The staff communicate frequently, unlike other schools, my child needs additional help and gets it! Looking forward to participating as a parent, lots of parent opportunites.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended this school last year, and it was the first time she wanted to attend school, in the past she hated school, when in the environment of 2000, at New School they have 250, which is a perfect fit. I was impressed with the extra help many of her teachers provided outside of class. The registrar and secretary are wonderful, and the Dean emails and responds immediately to my questions. We love the school, I wish there was a school like htis when I was young!
—Submitted by a parent

This school says they are focusing in 'arts' and 'academics' when, the 'academics' are a joke, my child complains every day that she has not learned anything in math the whole semester and a half she has spent there. The classes are sadly dimmed down for the brighter kids who are forced to have class with the trouble makers and druggies. The arts are a disgrace, and a lot of times, you find your student knowing more about their 'art' than the teacher. You would think that the students here would be accepting of almost anything, when my child has been mocked, teased, and harassed for almost the entire duration of her time at NSAA, and the administration has done absolutely nothing to help. this school is utterly helpless in both area's it says it works in.
—Submitted by a parent

Although this school has a safe environment, the faculty and administration leave much to be desired. The turn-over rate for teachers is remarkably high, because the administration tends to drive away good teachers. Thus, in many cases you have under qualified teachers who need a job taking on many classes and too many students. In fact, so many good teachers have left that the only reasonable art program left is visual arts, which has a few very good teachers, whilst the rest bear little chance of actually preparing students for post secondary education. Most academics are poor as well.
—Submitted by a student

I have had the opportunity to have 3 children at this school. My children have had every academic opportunity available to them by the qualified teaching staff as well have quality art instruction. The administrative staff is organized and caring which is turn produces the same in the high school culture of the students. Not easily found in our large public high/jr high schools. This school is a community!
—Submitted by a parent

This is the third year my daughter has attended, she is a performing arts major and the school just keeps getting better and better. The new administration is great, I hear from them on a weekly basis. My child is thriving here.
—Submitted by a parent

College Prepatory School that has great potential. Lacking communication with parents, teachers and administration. A bit political. Great school for the visual arts. Lacking in the Performing Arts. High turnover with teachers can lead to academic failure for students. Very little parent involvment.
—Submitted by a parent