P.S. 207 Elizabeth G Leary

Kids are challenged and most of the teachers really care. Many reviewers wrote kids aren't challenged but since they started with the common core (CC) standards in Sept 2012 now all of the kids are being challenged as are the parents that are trying to help them! Before CC I didn't feel my child was being challenged but this past year between higher standards and the teachers and admin not knowing what to expect on the state tests, the bar has been raised several notches and I think it's great. teachers and admin have ALWAYS responded to my concerns and provided additional resources when I've requested.
—Submitted by a parent

My children go to this school and I am very happy. They get continuous support from their teachers and I am always notified if there is a cause for concern with their grades. The administration comes out every day and helps with the back up traffic jam at dismissal because parents refuse to park their cars and walk to pick up their children. This creates a very dangerous situation for the children and parents that are walking home. There is a need for more parent involvement but the parents involved on the PTA are there to support all of the children in the school. I give these parents a lot of credit to give up their own personal time to support the school. More parents needs to step up and help, the less complaining they do and more involvement they have will make this school the best it can be!
—Submitted by a parent

Just check their test scores. This school administration will never challenge the students, because if it did, most of them will fail. There are a lot of students who clearly do not live in a district and got transferred. Because of that, there is no sense of community or joint parental involvement in students' affairs, unless you are part of that exclusive PTA crowd. Most of the parents in our class are not participating in collecting money and products when prompted and it falls on responsible ones like me to cover expenses.I guess they don't care about school and ultimately they don't care about their kids. That shows disrespect. I don't want my son going to school with these type of people. I want him to be academically challenged and have friends who actually live near him. And PTA, please concern yourself less with cookie and holiday sales and more with ways on how to improve academics and ask for new curriculum.
—Submitted by a parent

My children attend this school. They are both currently at the E.C.C. I cannot believe how far behind the times this school is. The other schools in the community or near by communities are far more advanced academically. This school has good ratings because of the great support the children get from their parents, not from the educators or administration. I am currently looking into transferring my kids out of this school. I am not comfortable sending them to a place that is not offering my children the best education possible. This school needs to get it together to meet the new standards and assure us that our kids are getting the very best that a N.Y.C. public school can get.
—Submitted by a parent

Do not send your child here if they are in special education, especially the early grades. They do a woeful job of educating the special needs children and blame everything on the parent. They do not go out of their way to support the child. The teachers get frustrated easily with the children and can't handle them. I'm not at all surprised that many of the teachers are on the worst teachers list, and several that didn't make it should be on there. No wonder this school has a C rating. It should be more like a D rating.
—Submitted by a parent

My son goes to the ECC, he is in 1st grade. The entire staff including the Assistant Principal are a Class Act. Always helpful, easy to talk to, and very organize and great with communication. My son moved from a Grade A school to 207 for many reasons. I am A VERY HAPPY Parent.
—Submitted by a parent

By the way check out all the good reviews are by kids that are in CIG or Eagle or parents of the PTA who are in the "clique" how does this school have 4 stars???? they stink for anyone who is anything but white and have high scoring children and I am white..they are biased and even more biased with children who have any sort of learning problem. This school is not for educating our children but for SCORES and PRESTIGE...they ignore fighting and bullying hoping it will disappear, principle hides and they just cant handle the middle school poor quality school, unfortunately!
—Submitted by a parent

The real focus of this school is the almighty school grade. Nothing else matters at this school. Parents do not have a voice in this school and are rarely allowed access to the principal. Parents do an incredible job fundraising, but it does not translate into any any extra-curricular activities for the elementary school. Resources are usually directed to the Fillmore Academy. Please note that not every class in this school can have music, art, gym, etc, but they will get a grade for the class they didn't take! My child received an art grade, but never had art as a subject since she was pulled out for music classes. Art was taught by the homeroom teacher to the children who didn't have music. Ironically, my child received both an art grade and a music grade on her report card. She did amazingly well in a course she never took!
—Submitted by a parent

I cannot speak for the General Education program, although some of my neighbors are none too thrilled. However, I can say from experience if your child has any type of IEP DO NOT send them to this school. The SBST is, to be kind, inadequate, and they do not invest their time in trying to support students with IEPs in the community.
—Submitted by a parent

My older daughter graduated from the 8TH grade at PS 207 and was accepted to all 3 Catholic High Schools she applied for. My younger daughter is in the 5TH grade and loves her teachers and this school. This is an excellent school, and anyone who says otherwise does not no what quality education is, when it is taught to their children. The PTA is beyond compare, with truly dedicated and involved parents. This school will always hold a place in our hearts and memory, as well as the teachers, and friends my children and family have made here.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has many poor qualities. The teachers do not come off professionally. They can't handle the large class size. There are fights. Still I know there are worse school, but things could be better here if there were communication, but the principal doesn't seem to want that.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is awful, especially the ECC. The classes are way too big. The teachers seem overwhelmed. There is no communication between the principal and parents. You can leave messages and she'll never call you back. The main school is slightly better, but not much. All they care about is the grades, yet ironically they got a C rating. Something just isn't working.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is a 1st Grade Student in the ECC program. We've had absolutely no problems with the teachers or the administration of PS 207 thus far. We have easy access to our child's teacher and communication flows frequently from the school to the home. The quality of the education received has been very good, much better than expected from a NYC public school. The teachers, principal, assistant principal and staff have been extremely friendly and communicative.
—Submitted by a parent

the principal of early childhood centre is very rude and all the time scream and yelled at small kids .i am parent so please donot send your little ones in this school
—Submitted by a parent

My children have had horrible experiences at P.S. 207. The principal is incompetent and should retire. She does not know how to talk to parents and always hides from them in her office. The Deans are the same way. You always have to leave multiple messages for them and hope they call you back. The children are not little angels like the administration wants you to believe. The administration does not know how to handle the older children because they are used to being an elementary school. My daughter was bullied to the extent that I had to get her transferred, (the school refuses to recognize they have a bullying problem). I also think that they need a man as a Dean, give the children someone to fear, and give the parents someone they can count on to see that issues are taken care of appropriately.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers and administration give special attention to each student. Each child is pushed to improve and maximize their abilities.
—Submitted by a parent

Unless your child is in the Eagle, CIG or Gifted program, your child will be oerlooked. They do not care about the students that don't help the school look its best.
—Submitted by a parent

These teachers are very hard on my children who attend here.I dont like this school.
—Submitted by a parent

There is poor communication between the parents, teachers and/or principal. Some of the younger teachers seem inexperienced. Class sizes are very large and children's needs can be ignored. Great for your child if they are in the CIG or Eagle program, otherwise, not so much. Some behavior problems of children in the higher grades go unchecked and whole class has to suffer for the actions of a few.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school with many caring teachers. As with every school, there are just a few which may need to be put out to pasture but doesn't affect the overall spirit of the school. I have noticed the population here is very diverse within the general classrooms however this number does appear to dwindle considerably when it comes to the Eagle classes. There is a large disparity in that regard. I wouldn't say its any bias but more the lack of some students inability to work at the levels in these faster paced classes. My children love this school, they are 100% engaged everyday and I am very pleased with their teachers, the assistant principals/principles and overall performance.
—Submitted by a parent