Norman Thomas High School

This school is awful, it's a good thing there's closing down, as the parents can't even get the info they need to find out how their children are doing, with their classes, grades, etc. Parents are calling all the time but can't get through, and if the children won't let the parents know, how else are they to find out? There's NOTHING listed on the school's schedule for up coming events, even though there's an important parent/teachers meeting coming up in two weeks (Oct. 25 and 26th). I realize the school is closing, but why won't they keep parents abreast of what's going on? This is crazy people.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school and I love the teachers and the administration!!! Principal Martin is the kindest person. He is always available. This school should not be closed!!!!
—Submitted by a student

Page 1.1/7 As you continue reading, I tried to explain these factors and things we can do to stop this oracle of educational failure and apartheid. a) The excessive infusion of politics and control by the mayor and his minions; b) Changing dynamics of the students' population c) Unrealistic expectations as reflected in the designed curriculums and performance rubrics d) Incompetent leadership within the school and the district superintendent's office e) Lack of parental engagement, ineffective use of observation as a form of evaluating performance over capacity building f) Excessive focus on teaching to pass the state test NTHS, however, continues to offer some of the most innovative vocational programs to our learners that proved very effective in highlighting essence and relationship of their core academic courses with real life situations. They brought in a new principal, vigorously supported by faculty members, students and parents. The superintendent's announcement, amidst the visceral and quantified positive changes, that NTHS could not rehabilitate itself.
—Submitted by a teacher

NTHS is an upstanding school. Big schools have the luxury of basketball, baseball, gyms, libraries. Well organized with secretarial staff including payroll, pupil accounting, Principal's & Assistant Principals, Record Keeping, Attendance&Programming, Senior's & security dept. & treasurer secretarial staff. We offer students opportunities daily w/afterschool programs, and weekend Regent's prep & SAT's. Because we are a big building we have dances and lots of student athletic opportunities; 1 student was endorsed by the Yankees. 73% of our kids are Hispanic making it difficult for them to find schools and possibly dropping out. Charter schools do not compare to the quality of a big building. In small schools 1 secretary has to do all of the segmented organized secretarial roles listed above. We need support from parents/students to show up to school for all the carte blanche programs we offer to facilitate higher scores, finals, regents and report cards. Merging schools in a big building is the most efficient way to run a school; we can have several schools in the same building and run with a proficient system.
—Submitted by a teacher

Norman Thomas High School is a good school offering many programs such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Future Business Leaders Of America, the best classroom with rugs for the double period virtual enterprise class.Every Academy has their own President,Vice President,and Secretary.The staff and teachers really care and love the students.I get phone calls and letters of my progress in school: wether its bad or good. The majors that are offer in this school are nice. Travel And Tourism,Accounting,Fashion Marketing,Entrepernuership,Media Technology.....The School is divided into 3 Academies.People from Outside might see the bad side but the school is good.Many students walk around with a 90n and above average and getting accepted to Berkely college,St. John's.....etc. NORMAN THOMAS SHOULD NOT CLOSE!
—Submitted by a student

4 year graduation rate: 37.0% 9th-graders reading on level: 23.6% Tell me again why it shouldn't close?

it is an embarrassment that such a illustrious school not too long ago is allowed to be part of the NYC Mayoral and Electoral politics. While the teachers are attempting to continuously motivate students with plethora of difficulties, with a large number of special needs, the forces at helm in Tweed and the DoE have thrown all sort of tricks into the mix to prevent the school from achieving, such as budget cuts that prevents effective teaching. Meanwhile, small schools get everything done with a flicker of their fingers. So much history, from Central Commercial High School to Norman Thomas High School cannot be bought but earned through the annals of history. It is amazing that the school can achieve some much, of which the City has determined is not enough.

For a moment I thought that the principal was doing a phenomenal job. I realized that his change agenda was based on the premise of the "impression of change." His leadership can be defined as simply obtuse: lacking sensitivity to the faculty who supported him, inept cognitve perception of what must be done to make swift meanigful reforms to save NTHS and the now apparent truth that he, like all the remaining administrators in school, are just as good in terms of the self interest. Looking back, Mr. Satin did everthing he could to save the school. He fought to keep the school open. He wrote an op ed in one of New York's leading newspapers. The problem we faced was that the vision was not really his. It was theMayor's. That made it difficult for him and leaders of other schools in New York City to implement.
—Submitted by a teacher

The new principal is overall excellent.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a freshman who started of in NTHS, but moved to connecticut, norman thomas is ther best school , like how can i explain the vibe is qreat teachers motivate you, you have fun daily, for fun we would do dances w, every grade its so fun, since im a freshman i dont knoe how it was b4 but i knoe its great now, mr. martin is so unique he shows us he loves & cares for us myy favoritee JP lol he would constently fool around w, me make me laugh care bout my health he would allways make my day i woould just go to his office everyday to see himm his like ah father to me i love him, but i moved to CT , so i wish qood look to NTHS
—Submitted by a student

Norman Thomas Is The Best! I Love All My Teachers! With Our New Principal Mr. Martin The School Has Gone Better.Every Morning When I walk to school, i literally see kids runing to school and wit our old principal, it was like he did'nt care.Were Glad To have Mr. Martin Because At least Now It Feels like Someone Cares about us.All the teachers care about us.Its the students that starts problems.Last Year in the staircase students were hanging out and now this year so far...everyone's been in their class..A Few Of my favortie teachers is Ms.Cordero,Ms.Diaz,Ms.Perri-King....
—Submitted by a student

I attend Norman Thomas right now. Norman thomas is not a bad school it the kids that make it bad. Norman thomas won the division A championship in baseball. A student from Norman thomas was drafted to the Yankees in 2009. it a good school. that why i would never transfer from thomas. NTHS is the Best. the New principle Mr.Martin is doing a good job, along with J.P.
—Submitted by a student

I graduated from there in 2006, and I have to say that there are some great teachers there and there are lots of opportunities if the student makes an effort. Also I think its important for the student to be part of extracurricular activities and be informed about career opportunities, like the CENTER FOR THE ARTS.
—Submitted by a student

I ike the location of the school. i also have to say that one of my favorite teachers would have to be Mr. jensen helped me get prepared very well for the regents. I believe it's not the students failing it's the teachers not getting us prepared and ready enough for big new york regents. if there was anything i could change about this school it would have to be better teachers, better lunch food and better staff.
—Submitted by a student

Teachers are very helpful; specifically DrLevine for global history. He is also my favorite teacher I will be the first of my family to graduate from nths; my brother attends here, too.
—Submitted by a student

I am a student at this school and I am transferring out. The reason is because there is a fight like about week and most of the time the teacher is always interrupted by an annoying kid/student that doesn't really care about HS. Most of my fellow class mates are failing there classes and they blame it on the teachers. I think that the school and teachers are great its just that the kids/students in the school are the ones that mess up Norman Thomas as a school and its name.
—Submitted by a student

This school its really not what many think. Its the worst. This school is in need of a better teaching program and teachers.
—Submitted by a student

Well, now as I look back at this statement, I can truly say that Norman Thomas has improved its standards. Mr. Satin has done his best, security has improved, Teachers are on point. I am glad that I am a graduate of Norman Thomas(class of 06'). It's so funny how i don't even remember writing this review before. But as I look back I can say that there has been a change. Damien Robertson
—Submitted by Damien Robertson, a former student

I attended Norman Thomas and I have to say that honestly the school it's not bad at all. In fact, there are many opportunities that the school provides and plenty of help from the teachers and staff, but it all depends on the student. Through Norman Thomas I was able to get involved in many programs including art and business programs, that prepared me for college. I took AP courses and was involved in extracurricular activities. So, there are alot of opportunities,it's just that student has to be interested in participating.
—Submitted by a former student

I graduated from Norman Thomas three years ago. In contrast with the other reviews Norman Thomas offered me many opportunities and prepared to attend a top 10 liberal arts college. If the student is committed to learning he/she will find many opportunities and great mentors. While at NTHS I had great mentors (Ms. Ofeck and Mr. Ravage and Ms. Darios)they help and guided me with the college application process. There are many resources available, to help the student become involve in a variety of academic programs inside and outside NTHS. If you attend this institution make sure to become involved in different extracurricular activities, take a few AP classes, maintain a good GP and you will most likely be accepted in a good college. Make sure you visit the college office, maintain good relationships with teacher and the administration they will defiantly help you in the college process.
—Submitted by J. Anchundia, a former student