Our Lady of Mercy School

If I could give this school zero stars, I would. As a former student, I can say with confidence that the worst decision I've ever made was NOT telling my parents to transfer me out while they still could. The bullying going on in this school is horrifying, and administration has done absolutely nothing to stop it. If you care about your childs self esteem and personal self worth, this is a MAJOR red flag. The favoritism, also, is ridiculous. When I graduated, I went on to a private, prestigious high school not too far away. I soon learned that the learning foundation given to me at OLM was so far below mediocre, I found myself barely passing my classes (something, I assure you, that had never happened before). Eventually, and with much struggle, I picked myself up- but it just goes to show you how much I learned in my five years at their school. I could barely even survive an AP Science class without flunking right out. So if you're reading this as a concerned parent, perhaps looking to enroll your child in a nice catholic school, DO NOT enroll them here. Send them somewhere else- ANYWHERE ELSE. The worst decision I've ever made was not leaving while I still could.

My daughter has attended this school for 3 years and is currently still enrolled. She has been and continues to be an A Average student. However, due to the fact she requires an EPI PEN, she has been told she cannot attend any school field trips unless a parent accompanies her on the trip. This is just a form of discrimination against children with medical conditions. Shame on this Christian faith based school.
—Submitted by a parent

Thirty-four children in my child's classroom - need I say more? Some teachers (Ms. Rae-Eckels) are wonderful, but most are mediocre. This year's history teacher was so bad in a prior year that she was moved from 5th to 2nd grade. Now she's teaching middle school history - really? Also, there is a great deal of bullying going on, which the administration has failed to address. Decided not to send my younger child here - its a shame, but they probably need a new principal who is better equipped to deal with some of the issues.
—Submitted by a parent

There are some children there who honestly are very smart and are very good children but there is the other half who smoke and drink. They set a terrible examples for my child In OLM. My other child in P.S144 is bullied by some children from OLM. The girls were pulling there shorts to the point where there underwear was showing in front of me and my child and have ripped up the seats that were recently put in along with the park playground just this year writing "ANDREW+LEAH". I would take my child out of this terrible school but he's too attached to his friends. I would not reccomend you to take your child to such a horrid school. ITS NOTHING LIKE A CATHOLIC SCHOOL OR A PRIVATE SCHOOL.If I could put zero stars I would
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is very shy so I was worried about sending her to OLM pre-k. But everything turns out to be fine, and she enjoys OLM a lot. What surprises me is the individual attention given to each child. Every once a while I got a note from the teacher providing feedbacks on my child's learning progress. For example, once I got a note from the teacher saying that my daughter can recognize all the colors except 'grey' and I should help her with it. And once the feedback is about her problem with numbers not in sequence. I constantly receive feedbacks during the semester so can help resolve the issue instead of waiting until the end of the semester. There are often, in not daily, classworks brougth home with all different subjects, including numbers, letters, arts and crafts. I feel that they are trying to develop all areas for the kids instead of just focusing on studying the books. I am a busy working mom and usually don't get home until 7:30pm. It is very important for me to know that my daughter is in good hand and the teachers are helping her with her learning and providing timely feedback to me. What else can parents ask for? I highly recommend OLM.
—Submitted by a parent

In my opinion, Our Lady of Mercy does not appear to be a catholic school in the sense that the principal and some staff tend to overlook parents concerns, which is not very Christian at all. A parent should not send their children to this school based purely on it's pretty surroundings or it's proximity to home. Our children deserve better than the overcrowding and a principal that cares more about fundraising than what really matters, our children.
—Submitted by a parent

Not even close to being the best school in Forest Hills, NY. Terrible experience for my child who was attending the Pre-K Full day program beginning in September 2010. Her teacher was young and inexperienced. After 1 week of school the teacher began sending notes home every other day in my child's folder telling/describing to me my terrible child's behavior. IE. That my child had taken a book from another child, she had pushed another child, etc. After 4 weeks of this, I asked to have a meeting with the NEW teacher, who just began teaching at the school, and principal. She described the "book" situation and said my child's face was filled with "Rage" before my child reacted to the other girl taking the book away from her. "Rage" is not a word that should ever be associated with ANY 4 year old. Labeling children is unacceptable. The principal, at a later meeting, agreed with the teacher using the word "Rage". I am appalled by these so called educators. What kind of behavior and example are they setting? My child began to bite her nails and did not want to go to school. The end result: I removed my child from the school after 6 weeks. Both the principal and teacher should resign.
—Submitted by a parent

I totally disagree with children being safe at OLM, at least my child. She was bullied very often by one particular boy, I turned the other cheek for as long as I could hoping this boy would grow up. It wasn't the case. My child had 2 teachers that were aware of the problem and even the principal was eventually made aware of the problem. Nothing was done but a lot of sweet talk. Nothing was done even though I reported the physical, verbal and emotional abuse my child was forced to deal with. No school should tolerate children being bullied and should seriously look into claims of bullying. All children should be feel safe in any school.
—Submitted by a parent

Our Lady of Mercy is by far the best school in Forest Hills. I have experienced through my 6 children all the elementary and MHS in the area and found that PS101 has a dedicated staff but the politicking of the mothers and the PA are not helping the kids, PS196 is good and is a close second to Mercy with Mercy having a much wider range academically the others Halsey, Sage and pS144 are quite similar but none matches Mercy. The principal and the teachers are involved in so many ways that the children excel despite any efforts o the contrary even the kids that are transfers from nearby Martyrs , a school that I will never recommend because they lack discipline, and they lack structure actually a I read the reviews that precede this one I can't help to think that someone from there wrote them
—Submitted by a parent

The school has a wonderful academic reputation and a strong sense of community.
—Submitted by a parent

Our Lady of Mercy is one of the best Catholic elementary schools in Queens. Their curriculum and materials are up-to-date, the teachers and staff are friendly and helpful, the community supportive, and the neighborhood safe and beautiful! What more could a parent want for her child's school?!
—Submitted by a parent

OLM helped my daughter ENJOY Junior High School and hit the ground running in high school. Everyone from the cleaning staff to the principal is dedicated to the kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I enrolled my two children into OLM and I have to say I am not pleased. I feel that as parents we should get more feedback, as of where our children stand academically. Every time I approach either teacher, I am given indefinite answers ('She's ok'). I am sure there is something my kids are lacking, in which I can give or hire extra help. When I picked up their progress reports, I literally was spoken to by the teacher for 2 minutes. Everything was 'she's ok or He's ok'. There is definitely an enormous lack of communication from teacher to parent. I believe the teacher should analyze each student and inform the parents of the students strength or weaknesses. This way as parents we can work on improving, the weaknesses and encouraging/ developing more of their strengths. OLM involves parents mainly on fundraising and not education, or students needs.
—Submitted by a parent

We were exctied to send our child to this school for the pre-k full day. However, our personal experience as parents is that we were extremely dissapointed with some of the staff. A small, catholic school like this one doesn't afford much choice when the teachers and program aren't meeting your child's needs. We mentioned our concerns in hope to make aware some of our personal concerns we had.
—Submitted by a parent

Absolutely wonderful! Great staff, awesome teachers. Conscious effort to administer the best education. I have my kids in perivate and parchial schools and there is not difference between this school and the private where I pay 4 times the amount in tuition. They have Lab, Languages and a wonderful and approachable principal.
—Submitted by a parent

Our Lady of Mercy has a dedicated staff that are willing to go the 'extra mile' to make sure all the children are safe and challenged academically. The principal is willing to listen to the concerns of the parents and take the necessary course of action.

Outstanding school. Children are taught by qualified, compassionate educators.
—Submitted by a parent

The staff focus on more negative then possitive which is not a good furture out look for children and for their confidence.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent school and the new teachers are great. The community spirit is a bit dampened by the principal's position to parent involvement. The parents must take a stronger stand to work for a more positive student/parent/teacher community.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent school in a community that offers good public schools at least on the elementary school level. My three children have been involved with this school for the past four years. The prinicipal is excellent and provides exemplary leadership.The parents are extremely involved, the education is excellent, the teachers are great and really care about the children. I can't say enough about it. It is worth every penny!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent