Growing Up Green Charter School

Growing Up Green has proven to be a wonderful fit for our son and our family. We really value how the teachers and staff interact with us and with each other; they really model respect and how to be good members of a community. We value their methods of hands on learning and how they teach kids of ask and answer their own questions.
—Submitted by a parent

We are so lucky our daughter got in here! No more morning "illnesses" - she LOVES school again! At the end of last year (3rd grade in a different school) she was hating it. Now that she is at GUGCS she is rediscovering the joy of learning.
—Submitted by a parent

GUGS offers a joyous, non-competitive learning environment in which children are celebrated, not ranked. My daughter (in kindergarten) is learning all kinds of things, but more important, she feels positive and confident about her ability to learn. I also love the supportive classroom environment, and the fact that when I ask who her friends are, she names everyone in her class. It takes a special teacher, and a special school, to create such a cohesive community.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is just loving Kindergarten here. He has so much fun with the class pets, the frequent field trips and the daily specials (art, music, language, science lab, gym). We love the focus on social skills and science. Parents -- no, the entire family -- are made to feel extremely welcome anytime. (Not the case at all NYC public schools!) I agree that the principal provides strong, clear-headed leadership and sets the tone for their "responsive classroom" cultural approach, which is effective at keeping order through positivity, not yelling. It's heart-warming to see the kids help teachers keep the focus on learning. The biggest weakness is the old school and small courtyard but the staff makes the most of that shortcoming with garden boxes and sports equipment outside. Fingers crossed for a middle school and larger facility! Signed, Heather Moore, happy parent
—Submitted by a parent

When I walked into this school three years ago, I knew it was the place for my child and I was not disappointed. The academics are wonderfully engaging with an emphasis on science, hands-in discovery and team-building. The principal is one of the most dedicated administrators I've seen with an exceptional ability at hiring a great teaching staff. He continually works to lessen the teacher/student ratio. Just last month he added two more teachers to pull students out of classrooms for lots of small group work. My children are in 2nd and K and they absolutely love the school and I am amazed at what they are learning.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school with excellent teachers! The staff is very friendly and always willing to help. My daughter loves this school, she has learned so much and she never complains of being bored in school. The teachers are trully what make the school so special! They are very nice, caring, hands on teaching at it's best. Our family is very happy to be part of growing up green!
—Submitted by a parent

The school runs on all of the hard work of its teachers. They represent some of the best in the NYC system right now. Unfortunately they administration is ineffective at best, led by a substance-less Principal that fails to address problems with bullying, high staff turnover and high student - teacher ratio.
—Submitted by a parent

WE LOVE THIS SCHOOL. My daughter is in kindergarten. This school provides everything that I was hoping for for my child. The science program is wonderful. Animals in every room. A nurturing and supportive environment. All the staff knows all the kids names. Many strong field trips. Lots of parent involvement. Open school so parents can come whenever they want during any program. My daughter is reading and writing and has begun to LOVE reading. The teachers are amazing.
—Submitted by a parent

Yes they do have a nice "goal" about the green factor but GUGCS does not know how to handle disipline, they go to far for what most people with consider commun behevior of a child under 7 years old. Lack of effective prevetive action.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent School. Amazing, engaging curriculum with lots of hands on learning & field trips. They have music, art, gym, computers and science lab twice a week. Students are having fun, so they don't realize how much they are learning. The teachers listen & care, we can contact them by cell & email whenever needed. And GREEN means more than just recycling. They are learning to be respectful, responsible members of the school community & the world. My child says "Great!"
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a 2.Grade student at GUGSC. And She loves it. Excellent teachers, strong curriculum.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids attend GUGCS and the love it . The quality of teachers is superb, the support staff is friendly and the curriculum excellent.
—Submitted by a parent

I was excited about their program back in September 2009, but, they had some strong problems with discipline and the kids were hurting each other physically, it did not work for us... the principal kept saying that he was going to do something and never did...my child ended up in the hospital, with a nervous breakdown. hope they are doing things better next year.
—Submitted by a parent