P.S. 6 Lillie D Blake

Excellent school with very good teachers, involved and active parent body and an administration that seems to care about doing things correctly. A few complaints: working within Board of Ed restrictions seems to lead to compromises in programming - wish the arts and music program were richer. Staff always seems a bit overwhelmed, and reaction seems to be to be strict with the children - maybe it is the number of students in the school. I wish the teachers used email - sending paper notes through student backpacks does not seem very efficient (not to mention not good for the environment or printer supplies). Overall though, the programming for core subjects is excellent, the facilities are high quality (gym, auditorium, library and large bright classrooms), and school has suprisingly good technology (smart boards, computers, etc.). All these elements are critical to the functioning and feel of the school. It is no wonder that people move into this school zone - sending your kids here is a no brainer - only wish it sent through high school and you did not have to deal with applying out for middle school.
--Submitted by a parent

I don't know what you guys are talking about. I'm not a parent. I actually went to the school. There are not many bullying problems compared to other schools. There were no "popular cliques". My brother went to private school in the Bronx. In 2nd grade my mother moved him to P.S. 6. He barely knew how to read when he got there. Now he can read very well and has many kind and fun friends which he enjoys being around. I had more trouble with cliques at private school than I did at P.S. 6. GO HERE!!! It is a fantastic education.

re the post about the pledge and the writer is 'surprised more parents aren't interested in this'...they are! But PS sweeps issues under the rug and ignores them. Many parents go to the administration about this issue along with others for example the bullying problem at the school most especially on the playground, but they do nothing about it. It's not spoken of and then when another parent finds out they are shocked because they have the same issue and so on...PS 6 needs a parents group that gets together to be heard and to make changes, not to be part of the PTA where the members are part of the problem of skirting issues and wanted to keep the school "clean" whereby no one hears about the things that go on there in the hopes it will stay the PS6 it once may have been, which was top notch. With this principal the school will never be number 1--she has no care for the kids, the issues at hand, the school community-she doesn't know the names of kids who have been there for 5 years! There needs to be a big change.
--Submitted by a parent

It seems as if the January 24th post has nothing to do with the school, but more about this individual's own issues with the area. If this person has issues with the school, do not allow your children to attend PS 6; just leave. The people who VOLUNTEER for the school are there for a reason, to help their children and the school. The school is not run like a casino, it is run like a great company full of knowledgeable individuals who take pride in the end result; the best education for their children. Parents are given choices IF they would like to donate to the school; with many opportunities to participate or not.
--Submitted by a parent

PS 6 is OK for a NYC public school. It has resources because its run like a casino and parents are constantly asked for money. The previous comments about "loving" the school and "best teachers" is hyperbole. These parents love the lifestyle in this school zone and that they dont have to pay tuition. It has little to do with their children. If they acknowledged the school's shortcomings, they might feel pressure to make a life change and leave the uppereast side.

I love that school. They have good teachers! I heard some parents complained about not really good teachers, but my son is so lucky to have always the best since 1st grade. He is 4th grade now.
--Submitted by a parent

I have two children at P.S. 6. One just finished 4th grade and one just finished 1st grade. The teachers are fantastic and the parents are very involved. The school offers so much that it is impossible to take advantage of everything. My kids have participated in chess, spanish, choir, ballroom dancing, track and many other activities. They also have a great afterschool program. I have watched them grow so much socially and academically and they are very happy at this school. I look forward to my third child starting at P.S. 6 soon.

I could not agree more with the below response. There is nothing wrong with teaching love of country. All nations do it. If your child attends PS 6, he/she will learn the pledge done by early Dutch settlers, when NYC was called "New Amsterdam", but the school refuses to teach our kids the American pledge. Its a disgrace, and I am surpised more parents arent interested in this.
--Submitted by a parent

I hate to admit it, since I worked there. But these people have a point. The teaching profession in general and the NYC schools in particular are in the strangle hold of the teacher's unions and their political minions. All the debates in-house in the schools come down to teacher compensations, perks, and absolute resistance to meaninful change. Very little focus on children, unless they are used as pawns to ransom the city and taxpayers for more money. Its really sad.
--Submitted by a teacher

The teachers are knowledgeable and dedicated, The administration is top notch and the parent body has created and maintains a nurturing and supportive community.
--Submitted by a parent