P.S. 159

I had several kids who went to this school. There are some truly excellent teachers ... but also an exceptionally bad teacher. The leadership at the school is stoic and dismissive. They had an after school "enrichment" program which was a thinly veiled disguise for unstructured daycare. I didn't really feel welcome nor unwelcome at the school. Overall, your child's homeroom teacher is THE most important factor. if this teacher is good then you will be happy to be there. But if not ...
--Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderful school. My son is in third grade and he loves it and thrives in the school. They have guitar, computerc as well as all the regular classes. They also offer enrichment during school and after school. Parents are very welcome in the school.
--Submitted by a parent

We just came from another country and this school is the one nearest my house. As a new student who came from another country, my son is doing his best to adjust but it seems that his teacher doesn't give him consideration. As a parent, I am worried because in my country, my son has been performing well in school and he has always been an honor student. But the teacher he has now in this school keeps on giving negative feedbacks about my son. Why can't she give my son enough time to adjust ? The other staff who have dealt with my son give positive comments about him except her. I am thinking of pulling him out of this school..On the other hand, I am commending Mrs. Zucker for being very accomodating as well as Mrs. Brevis.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is just finished the K and going to first grade this September. When I first put him at this school I was worried so much and scared for him he might not get use for the new school. But as time went by. I put 100% of trust to this school. It is so safe and people are so nice. And most important my son is studying very well and got a very good report from school and also state test
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers are very strict. The school is very safe, the staff very caring and accomodative. My son loves going to school. The teachers dont update about the children's needs/ area of improvements the way they should. They are giving out positive results and you dont find out till the report cards are out, to find out what they are lacking in. The student accessment also lacks. But every teacher is different. Mrs. Lazarus in Kindergarten is one of the best teachers a student can ever have. She boosts the confidence of children and genuinely cares for them.
--Submitted by a parent

My son graduated from PS 159 in 2002, and I always thought it a wonderful school. The principal, Marlene Zucker, is absolutely excellent. I was grateful that I happened to move into the zone for this school because my son really enjoyed his time there.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is and was horrible for me. I absolutely dreaded going there every day. The day my family and I moved was the best day of my life. I was plucked from a horrid, boring school to one with class, excitement, and kindness. PS 159 had horribly rude and strict teachers, absolutely NO extracurricular activities (with the exception of guitar playing, which was horribly boring and we honestly played terribly anyway), and was just all-around a dread. The safety program actu was down-right terrifying. It made you wonder WHY the school needed a security guard. To manage the Kindergarten hooligans? I think not. In conclusion, I would just like to say that this school was a terrible experience for me. I am very happy that my family and I moved, and I am never coming back to PS 159. Good luck to future and current students!
--Submitted by a former student

The school is excellent. I do think that teachers should be a little less strict, but not to lax so that a shy child can be more open to her. Otherwise, they do a tremendous job in teaching them to read in Kindergarten.
--Submitted by a parent

The academic programs are very good and better than the private school my child attended previously. I find the leadership of the principal and assistant to be extremely competent, truely dedicated and caring for the stucents and school. The curriculum is enriched with great programs such as ballroom dancing for PE, guitar for music and chorus throughout the class day. The PTA is vibrant and has a dedicated active membership that work hard to put in many programs for the students. There could be more parents involved but it is better than the 20%/80% norm.
--Submitted by David, a parent

Parent involvement is in excess to any other school I have been involved with. Parents not only help children, but each other. Teachers are just amazing, not only with their skills but with their charisma. P.S. 159 has given my son a sense of involvement, belonging and has increased his knoweledge immensely. I am a proud parent. Proud to be involved in this school!
--Submitted by a parent