P.S. 11 Purvis J Behan

My daughter has been here since PreK and is now finishing up first grade. PS 11 continues to be a wonderful place for our family. They've started a violin program for all second graders (new this year), have a five-day a week afterschool enrichment program, cookshop, playworks, visits from local authors and artists, weekly science, gym, computer, and art classes. Ms. Wrighton and Ms. Hope run a very well-organized ship: a school that truly accommodates a very diverse group of wonderful, wonderful kids. Since PreK, I had the chance to tour a few other schools. What has kept us at 11 is the openess, enthusiasm, and wealth of activities. Notably, PS 9, which is quite similar to 11 (and also a great place), didn't feel quite as much like home to me. Perhaps because we were already entrenched here! If I had any critiques at all, they would have more to do with the new common core standards, which seem to impose kind of arbitrary objectives on how and when children should learn. I do think, however, that PS 11's administration has a realistic handle on how to implement them effectively without sacrificing the many enrichment classes that make it a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

i had to take my daughter from this school she had hard time and got depressed for the but true 3 years thats she was there she had nothing but problems i believe this school is very unorganized when my daughter had problems with other students no one really helped her she was so depressed i had to transfer her sorry but true
—Submitted by a parent

P.S. 11 has been the precursor to my numerous successes throughout my personal & professional attainments in life...The science and recreation instructor and the many other staff persons are the standard by which I hold other educators...From the Royal Rangers, Air Force ROTC, Collegiate Career, Civic Volunteerism and working in the Non-for-profits...The educational dreams and aspirations eventually pursued began there...and although life has thrown some curve balls at me from time to time the educational anchor given to me there has allowed me to stay in the game on an equal playing field....theirs is the model worth replicating...

My child has attended PS11 since 2nd grade until her recent graduation. She has loved the school the entire time. Mrs. Wrighton is a very caring and excellent principal. My daughter's excelled in her academics by her last year in PS11 and that's because of Mrs. Wrighton's diligence in making sure that everyone of her students do well in her awesome school. With all the various programs they have at this school to help the children, they cannot fail. The teachers are great and the parent involvement is excellent too.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a proud parent of a child in Kindergarten at PS 11 a wonderful school. From the first day school to the present my son's experience has been great. He has been blessed with a wonderful teacher in his own words Ms. Pitts is AMAZING. The administration and staff are very friendly, warm and welcoming. I truly feel that I have found a caring and safe place for my son a school that gives a feel of family which is very important.
—Submitted by a parent

HAPPY is what I am to be a PROUD PARENT of two children who attend PS 11! What a great, positive experience my babies are having at such a wonderful educational institution - they love their school. The administration and staff set the tone for what is a friendly, warm and welcoming environment. I have truly found a "school family". They are caring and attentive to every need that children have. Their tireless efforts to continue to make this school an academic paradise is so very evident. I have peace of mind when I kiss my children good-bye and entrust the staff with caring for them in my absence. KUDOS to all the wonderful parents who volunteer their time and put so much energy into working together toward reaching the epitome of this school's success... you are to be commended! What else can I say? I feel like I'm one of the lucky few...it's my pleasure to be here!
—Submitted by a teacher

We just came out from the PTA meeting and I must say that after every PTA meeting I return home with more energy and willingness to give my time and energy to this amazing school and community. The principal is indeed outstanding! And the school is going towards what we are dreaming of every day. There are more trips, and the curriculum is going towards more project-based assignments in class. More enrichment during schools hours that includes musical instruments with Poetry and Motion as well as a farm box initiative as part of Cook Shop every Friday.We are building a new greenhouse and the kids are going to start planting in Feb. We have a new recess program with recess coaches starting Jan 17th. That means more physical activities through games even in cold months of the year. The kids have more Art and Science (my son has both, each twice a week). I think the kids at PS11 are very happy and doing great academically. What a great school!
—Submitted by a parent

"PS 11 is a wonderful school. My Son is very happy and motivated, and I am amazed at how much he is learning. This is his second year at PS11 and we can't be happier with the students, teachers, and the community. The school welcomes parents who want to get involved. There are so many ways to help! We just got the enrichment after school brochure and we have so many great programs to choose from :Dance, Art, Piano,Chess,Tennis, yoga,soccer,violin,singing,drama,guitar,mad science. The school also offer enrichment programs during school hours: chess, cook shop , music and poetry. The principal is extremely warm, dedicated, and intelligent . An inspiring leader! The assistant principal, parent coordinator, teachers, staff, PTA and parent body are extremely welcoming and friendly. This is an amazing school."
—Submitted by a parent

We left this school this year and as members of the neighborhood were hesitant to "give up" on the school, but the reality is that we didn't feel welcome as a mixed family with a child who was mixed ethnically. The "white" side of our family was met with distrust and never felt welcome by the PTA and leadership. The school says they are open to the changing community, but their actions show a different level to what they are saying they stand for. We wanted to stay, but were not confident that we would see any improvements. Teachers were all friendly and they seem to teach well, but if you challenge anything set in motion by the PTA or school leadership your suggestions fall on deaf ears. Our new school is incredibly diverse and overwhelmingly welcoming to new parents of all ethnicities joining in on activities.
—Submitted by a parent

My son goes to pre-K at ps11 and having been at two pre-schools, he keeps making me promise he can stay here. The students, teachers, administration and parents all help to make the school a warm, safe, exciting place to be. The administration supports the teachers unequivocally, and it seems as if they've protected the students from feeling the pain of the recent budget cuts. PS11 has a wonderful reading program --we're looking forward to kindergarten.
—Submitted by a parent

The leadership of this school is unimpressive as they are incapable of dealing with the dynamics of the changing neighborhood. The school lacks vision as well as strong leadership. The teachers are mostly fine. Parent involvement is met with distrust and thanklessness and if you have any suggestions on how to make things better it is met with contempt and defensiveness. The school sells itself on being progressive when it fact it is very conservative and meets suggestion of improvement and change with strong resistance. Academically the school is fine in respects to meeting achievement standards and grade levels but what it lacks in its social atmosphere out weighs those benefits.
—Submitted by a parent

If you have a child that is advanced this is not the school for you! Since phasing out their lead program in favor of the new school wide enrichment model accelerated students are left bored and unchallenged. The principle treats any parent that challenges her current polices or programs with disrespect & disdain.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attends PS 11. She has chess, art, music, science, and cooking class. She has the option to participate in after school programs like dance, piano, sign language, drama and Madd science. She always has something interesting to talk about when she comes home or an activity /project at school that she wants me to attend. I am impressed with the efforts of the PTA and the principal to reach out to all parents. The PTA even braved the NY winter cold with a table full of muffins, hot coffee and fliers to greet parents bringing their kids to school in the morning. In my opinion this school is definitely on the upswing and has the atmosphere, drive and test scores to be competitive with some of Brooklyn's best public schools.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended PS 11 since the second grade. This year (2007) he graduates. He is a high acheiver academically and PS 11 has done a fine job meeting his intellectual needs. Notably my son's emotional maturity has not matched his academic advancement and PS 11 has also done an acceptable job dealing with his immaturities and sometimes challenging behavior. However, because of his strong personal effort and support at home, combined with good communication and cooperation with the administration he has finally achieved an appreciable balance of academic and social skills. PS 11 is getting even better as a more involved and action oriented parent body has enrolled thier children in the school over the past 2 years. There are good enrichment programs, the SLT is effective, PTA is excellent, teachers are dedicated, new pricipal made a difference. The community is progressive inside and outside the school. Kudos!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a student at PS 11 and she is doing well and loving school. The continuous interaction with her teachers and the feedback we have received is encouraging and constructive. Principal Wrighton is a steady, positive influence and knows the names of the children. We see her at the beginning and ending of everyday greeting kids and parents. The PTA is strong and the parents are very active. I volunteer and I see the students respond and blossom to all the programs and the general positive atmosphere. We love the enrichment programs with science, art, music; afterschool with sign language, piano, chess etc. Extra curricular award-winning Robotics teams, movie and games night with projects to do all year - the kids are disciplined, well rounded and excited about learning at PS 11.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent who is leaving P.S. 11. My child is in the third grade and we are excited to make a change for the better. I am more than disappointed with the new administration. If you read the Brooklyn Record website you will find that many others feel the same way .
—Submitted by a parent

In the past year 2005-2006 PS11 did seem to go through a growing pains episode, but it has resolved itself with the efforts of the new principal, cooperative parents, and teachers committment to the students, the school has been really wonderful for my young daughter...I have seen the natural bouyancy of pre-K-K when they exit the lunch room nothing out of control, the principal actually stays in the lunch room and on the playground during lunch. I am happy with the direction of this school and the PTA body. Active Parent
—Submitted by a parent

This school is currently in a state of transition.The Pricipal is out on medical leave and there is a problem with leadership in the school.The lunchroom is totaly out of control. There is alot of children leaving the schoolafter pre-k and k. Screaming teachers and out of control students that's what PS 11 is in a nutshell.This school needs total revamping.I am pulling my kids out after this year.My children are now more aggressive than ever.Darwinism is in total effect now.They have to fend for themselves.It is really sad what is going on.Parents on a whole are totally disatisfied with PS 11.
—Submitted by Angry Taxpayer, a parent

Right now I find this School too traditional and going through too many changes. In 4 years this will be a great school, but right now there is alot of upheaval going on and it trickles down to the student. I have a son in Pre-K and though there are lots of enrichment classes for the Pre-K students quite a lot of the teachers have been absent and they are relying too much on substitutes. When all the changes settle down this will be a fantastic school.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from P.S. 11 in 1995. I am now in my senior year of college at Penn State University and truly miss the affection I received at P.S. 11. The staff was reassuring and well acclimated to the environment and the needs of their students. I had one of the most positive and insightful experiences at this Clinton Hill school. I hope that I will continue to hear great feedback as the future progresses so when I begin to have children they too can attend that school, joining district 13.
—Submitted by J Carter, a former student