P.S. Is 104 the Fort Hamilton School

As a parent who took my son out of a private school and placed him in a NYC Public School, I could not have been more pleased. He entered into this school as a mainstream student in the 3rd grade and in 5th grade was placed into the Delta Program My son is graduating this year as an 8th grader and the experience of this school has been incredible for both he and I. The PS/IS 104 Staff, Faculty and Teachers are impeccable!. They are straight forward, play a very active role in the child's life and are informative. I have always been able to reach out to any and all members of the school regarding any issues, concerns or just simply to say hello. The school is very safe, very involved and many of the students are overall good children. The school is diverse and I believe offers a very good learning environment overall.
—Submitted by a parent

Is this safe for kindergarten kids? My little boy is zoned to go to this school in September, and I'm worried about all of these posts about bullying. Please advise!
—Submitted by a parent

Student review: I was in the Delta and Superintendent programs (for gifted & talented) so my review may differ from the ones below. Despite NYC schools being on a lower budget, I always felt extremely academically stimulated and enjoyed being challenged by my teachers. My classmates that are still in NY (unfortunately, I moved :() are the ones going to top feeder schools (Brooklyn Tech, Stuyvesant, etc.). Many of the kids in upper grade levels outside of superintendent did not seem to care much about academics, though, and fights did happen.

P.S./I.S. 104 is just an other school that offers mediocre education. We strongly feel that extra home education is required to balance the medium quality classroom instruction provided to students with the demands required to prepare for upper echelon high schools. Given that most NYC public schools provide lower academic levels of education in order to fullfill the'assembly-line' strategic requiremetns, no wonder PS/IS 104 -specializing in museum studies! - feels proud of its medium quality product. I suppose not being among the worse feels good, since misery loves misery.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter goes to PS 104 and is in the 4th grade. The teachers are great and she loves waking up every morning to go to school! Best school in the Bay Ridge area!
—Submitted by a parent

If your child happens to be African American, this school is not for you. My son has been in this school for three years and I refuse to allow him to stay a fourth year. this one doesnt discipline ALL the students fairly, what good is it to tell your child to go tell the teacher when the other students hit him, when all the staff does is tell the other student to say "sorry", but if my son were to act the same way, he isn't allowed to just say 'sorry". In my sons's case, one incident was enough for them to send a letter saying he has a "behavioral problem", while all year he has never gotten into any trouble. Bottom line is I wanted the same kind of discipline to apply to my son, but that wasnt the case. If you're African American and you're bright, this is not the school for you. This school is the perfect example of ways that school staff try to attach negative labels to black children when they see they cannot rob them of their intelligence.
—Submitted by a parent

This school was a tragic experience in my daughter's education and development. She attended the school for 5th grade. She scored unbelievably high scores from the moment she started. She was always a good student, but there was always room for improvement. Here the work was so easy that there was nothing for her to learn. And the teachers and staff yelled at the students every day indiscriminately. I approached the principal about this, and she told me that this is the way she runs the school to keep order and safety and that if I didn't like - it was too bad. The breaking point came when they had their annual musical. The administration thought it was smart to jam the entire lower and middle school as well as parents into one auditorium. The staff yelled at the students prior to coming up to perform! Outrageous!
—Submitted by a parent

i am a 8th grader in this school and i got to say since i have been at this school it is a great place in the beginning i hated this school because just like all schools there were thoes mean rich girls but after i got friends and found the perfect people i gotta say i love this school it is the best. you will make true and great friends and just like every other school there are problems but our dean is great. she solves every problem and we always end up getting along this is the best experience in my whole enitre life and i gotta say the teachers here care so much they will always be there for you to get good grades they will be at your side till you get the grade you deserve so this school i would totally recommend:]
—Submitted by a student

I currently attend this school and I'm in the 8th grade. The school in my opinion is really great. The teachers are always their for you, I never saw a student being turned away by any adults their. Many people complain 'its filled with drama' or 'the teachers are mean' but what school doesn't have that. I've been in this school since kindergarden and I may hate this school at times but overall it really is a good school. I give it 4 stars though because I think it should have more after school activities like dance or drama. we only have champs which is sports and some students dont enjoy sports so their should be other options. otherwise it really is a good school. [:
—Submitted by a student

The school overall is good but it lacks a sense of community. There are certain functions that make students feel united, ex the Ragamuffin Parade, magic show, etc. but it is not enough. I would like to see some after school programs and/or weekend activity options.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm not impressed with the school administration, or with the fact that the kindergarteners and first-graders watch television or movies every single day in the annex cafeteria at lunch. Laziness to the extreme!
—Submitted by a parent

i think this school is not at all exciting. It has no activities, just this horrible thing called CHAMPS. All you can do is basketball and volleyball. I dislike that a lot. i think we should have more activities 6th,7th,and 8th graders can attend.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently attending P.S/I.S 104 as an 8th grader and I really am going to miss the school after graduation. The teachers are tremendously helpful and they really speak out for the students. I have never felt insecure at this school either since i started attending it back in kindergarten. The only reason though I give this school a four is that they lack in educational equipment. I am currently the head of mouse squad and when we go around to repair some of the computers, laptops, printers, etc. a lot of it has been kept in poor condition. Hopefully that will change soon though but overall this school offers a promising future for all students. I never found a teacher that wouldn't devote every single minute they had to help a child excel.
—Submitted by a student

I am just as pleased with 1st grade as I was with Kindergarten - the teachers have been fantastic and the children are challenged and getting a wonderful education. We couldn't be more pleased! We hear mixed reviews about 6th grade and up... but 100% good reviews up through 5th grade. I'd highly recommend this school!
—Submitted by a parent

My child attends 104 and we love the teachers. I fully agree with the parent who wrote about the lack of morning supervision. My child has attended 104 for the last three years and I don't like there is no supervision on the outside grounds in the morning. It's not so much about other people, but the older kids have no respect when Ms. Dibella isn't around. When they get out of hand I remind them I will have no problem going straight to Ms. Dibella about their behavior.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student at ps/is 104 I attend the 8th grade, this school is terrible. Especially the fighting I am afraid to walk fro class to class i have to worry. I would never reccomend this place!!
—Submitted by a student

my son attends this school...WOW...teachers, principals everyone to the luch ladies are caring warm and truly care about each child there...what a great find this school was...
—Submitted by a parent

My child attends the 3rd grade and has progressed nicely. He has been fortunate to have great teachers. Ms. DiBella is always very involved and very personable. One of my concerns though, is that there isn't much security on the school grounds during the morning hours. I feel there should be more supervision in the school yard during the morning hours and after dismissal.
—Submitted by a parent

The math program is not so advanced. Maybe it will be better in a middle school grades. Too much declaration about a safety and discipline but this is a good point. Class and school equipment are in a bad condition, especially PCs. Teachers are no so active as it could be. They average advanced students over another students. There are no any competetion and challenging program and activity at the school. So, this is just a typical Brooklyn school.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall, my family has had a positive experience in PS 104. The magnet program has provided many new opportunities for the kids, including lower cost class trips and other activities. The teachers, in my experience, are competent and caring. A couple of negatives - extra-curricular activities are non-existent and the PTA is not as strong as it could (or should) be.
—Submitted by a parent