Junior High School 190 Russell Sage

WORST SCHOOL EVER. Teacher are not smart enough to teach and the school is strict. I will never take my son back there again.
--Submitted by a parent

My son really enjoys the school. The work in honors is hard and some kids seem to try and act too cool to study. However, the teachers are caring and insightful. I have spoken to parents of his classmates from 6th grade who are not in honors and their children also really enjoy the school. Perhaps NOT having a 9th grade has changed the atmosphere. There are always troublemakers at every school and problems can arise at dismissal at the end of the day. Having good instructions on kids walking home with friends or picking them up will go a long way to avert problems. I don t think this is different at other middle schools. However, things are not well organized by the school administration - with little notice about events or school announcements. Again I am not sure this would be different at most junior high schools. There should be regular postings on the school website so it is easy for parents to find out what is happening. Homework assignments should get posted for on-line access if the child is absent so they can keep up with the work. I am glad my son is going here because he is getting a good education and the neighborhood school is convenient.
--Submitted by a parent

My son loves this school. The work can be very long and difficult but he loves it and always wants to study. Before in the 6th grade he would always slack off and not take teachers seriously, but now he studies for 6 hours of the day. When ever he comes home he praises his teachers and his grades, plus he is not afraid to talk about what the did wrong or right that school day. Now he is in honors and is getting good and high enough grade for schools like townsharris.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter loves Russle Sage because all the teachers there are nice and all the students are friendly.
--Submitted by a parent

The school principal and her administration adopt a "zero tolerance" disciplinary regime which they carry out with shockingly poor judgment. The incident of the girl handcuffed and arrested for doodling on her desk is only the most infamous of many examples of administrators unable and/or un-willing to communicate and cooperatively educate children. While most teachers are dedicated to doing an exceptional job, the current administration makes this school a potential kafkaesque nightmare for even the most mild-mannered child, let alone one with a spirited questioning mind. It is not the administrators' poor judgment alone but the the arrogance that goes with it, and a blunt refusal to be self-examining, to learn from its mistakes, to work with families instead of against them, that make this school one to stay away from for the time being.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has poor examples leading these students-between the guidance counselor and the assistant principal who both fail to return phone calls or follow up as discussed in conversations, you wonder what do they follow through on? The students deserve better.
--Submitted by a parent

This school by far has to have the worst administration I have encountered. Ms. Grant and Mr. DuMornay are as warm as a limestone statue. The way they address situations is completely Napoleonic. My child has one more year here which I am dreading!
--Submitted by a parent

The extra-curricular programs allow the students to have a well-rounded education.
--Submitted by a parent

My child has had a great experience here. The staff is great and it provide for a safe environment. The teachers are amazing and the proof is in the amount of students that get into specialized HS year after year.
--Submitted by a parent

For an urban public school it has a lot to offer. I'm not too jazzed about their in-house police officers and them arresting a student for doodling on desks, but on the flip side it is a very safe and orderly school (for the most part). The education there seems to be decent. The counselors also really seem to care about the kids. Also, their Beacon after-school program is really great for kids and working parents.
--Submitted by a parent