Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School

I have three children that attend BECS, the school is a big disappoinment. The mission statement is very impressive but none of it is being implemented. The Board of Trustees, the mangement company (NHA) and the principal is in bed together and only the students are suffering that attend BECS. BECS has a very high turnover in staff because of the leadership. The main focus of the leacdeship at BECS is performance, BECS has students graduating that cannot read. The biggest problem that the school has is grades 3-5 cannot read . The Board of Trustees is a "PUPPET BOARD" they do not know their fiduciary responsibilities. SUNY main focus is performance not holding the Board of Trustees/BECS leadership accountable.
—Submitted by a parent

Save your child s education experience and don t consider this school! My child attended BECS for one year (Kindergarten, 2010-2011). This school is a big disappointment. I will just point out the major thing .1.No communication with the parents. 2.If you don t ask about your child s progress you won t know 3. teachers have no or little knowledge regarding the grading system (I asked the teacher how she came up with the grade she gave my child she said I don t know this system or like it, the principle told me to just put in numbers and get done!! ) This teacher is the Kindergarten program!! 4.Teachers are very rude. 5.Office staff extremely rude 6.Outrageous supply list 7.No cafeteria 8.Teachers leave the school on a regular basis 9.No auditorium 10.The school gets 13K per child but yet still there are not enough text books or none / I had to make copies for my child to do the reading log . This school needs new leadership that is focused on the kids and learning. My child didn t learn anything (my child has awards for spelling, science, reading and homework and at graduation received an honor roll medal from BECS) and has not moved up a grade level (I TEST MY CHILD AT HOME).
—Submitted by a parent

I have nothing bad to say about this school I have all my children in this school, the staff is very respectful and inform us about the thing that are going on in the school...They are very professional and treat everyone they are somebody
—Submitted by a parent

there are many teachers here who speak to the children with little respect. i see security makeing copies for teachers instead of securing the building. thats on the leadership!!

Some of the techers here have very little respect for students and I think they are very rude .
—Submitted by a student

Good school that is a great alternative to most of the public schools available. My daughter is in Kindergarten and her teacher Ms Franco is very energetic, caring and concerned about each childs progress. If my child didn't have this school as an option for education she would be forced to attend a public school that is below average.
—Submitted by a parent

Despite what some parents may say, having an exclusive inside look at the school, it is not where you want your child to be. I have not seen the public schools in the area, but I don't know if they can get worse. When thinking about the school please take note of the extended hours. The students are in the same room the entire time. No recess or playground time is given. Gym class is once a week. There is no art program. The technology is not used. The computers are taken out of the classroom the 1st week of school and never seen again. Many of the teachers are uncertified. There is no administrative help. The children who get in physical fights are not reprimanded. The language as low as 1st grade is foul, yet tolerated. The lessons come directly from a text book, and creativity is not encouraged.

I am happy with this school so far. My daughter just started first grade and have two wonderful teacher's Ms. Thompson and Ms. Lutzel. The teachers make learning for the children and my daughter seems to be adjusting well. In addition, I recently met with the Assistant Principal about some concerns I had regarding the current currculm; to my surprise my concerns were addressed and are now apart of the students academics. Overall I think improvements within the administration is needed but I am hoping for a successful school year.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter started this school in first grade 2006. I was very pleased with the school but my daughter had three first grade teachers. for some reason or another teachers were leaving but the last one she had was ms. moncreiffe and she was wonderful and still is because she is now my daughters second grade teacher. and yes I do wish that this school had more extracurricular activities but they are sending home information all the time about sports programs around the community. the discipline in the classroom need to be handled better. the problem is there are some parents that do not have discipline has a priority so it disrupt the class's learning. teachers are too inexperienced to deal with badly behaved children. this brings the school quality down severely. the curriculum is what I am most impress with, if you can overlook these discrepancies.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very pleased with my daughters 1st grade teacher Mrs. Altenberg , and initially was pleased from her kindergarten teacher Ms. Falcone. My daughter dreaded going to the school the first day but by that afternoon she loved it. The school makes it possible for my husband and I to be comfortable leaving my daughter at a place that a distance from home, which is very important for working parents. The staff knows my daughter by name and looks out for her as if she were there own. But it doesn't stop there! Most important is the level of learning my daughter has received and excelled to. Math is more advanced and so is her reading and Language arts. The downside is that there are no extracurricular activities. But a plus is how they stress parental participation is school trips and class activities.(ask Ms. Falcone about surprise reader!)
—Submitted by a parent

Both my children attend, and I am impressed by their teachers. My daughter's teacher, Ms. Altenburg, is warm, kind, imaginative and generous. An excellent teacher, Ms. A's creativity helps keep my mischievous daughter behaving, and has brought her up to grade level. Her genuine involvement in my child's development inspires me to do more. Mr son is in Mr. Thomas's class. He gets a lot of homework, but loves the challenge. Mr. Thomas accepts nothing but the best efforts from his students, and I heartily thank him for that. He is definitely the reason my children still attend this school. Academics are stressed, but the children have no physical outlet. My kids do suffer, but we make up for it with frequent neighborhood run/walks. My kids love their school but hate the hours - 7:30 to 3pm. Afterschool is ineffective, without proper guidance.
—Submitted by denise howell, a parent

My son has been there for a month now. I am pleased with his teacher Mr Thomas he is a caring teacher. I know that my son will learn a lot with him. Hope the through year I will see great happening for my son.
—Submitted by maricia mccoy, a parent

This school is such a great sell, but truly a disappointment in many ways. Forget about a proper gym, lunchroom, auditorium where students can perform; because the strength of this school was presented in academics. However, this school had low academic results. You believe your child is performing well, but when tested outside of this environment, you sadly learn the truth. The turnover rate for teachers and administrators (too include principals) was unheard of. We commuted from a distance and it was certainly not worth the commute and it was a real disservice for my children who initially tested gifted. After Brooklyn Excelsior's reign, they now have to play 'catch up' just to compete in the original zoned school.
—Submitted by a parent

I was very pleased with the 2003-2004 results of the school performance. I would have recommend any and everyone. But, this past year 2005-2006 the school had many administrative issues... and the education skills flip flopped... a lot of people pulled there children... and I also thought of doing the same...but, I'm going to test them out this year for my son's 4th grade year and see how they progress. Hopefully administration will be in order and teachers on their job, then maybe I can once again recommend others to the school. They pleased me once... hopefully they will do it again...now with the new Principal on board. Hopefully with his skills and expertise he can turn things around for the best.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very please with my daughters 1st grade class
—Submitted by a parent