P.S. 20 Anna Silver

My son relocated to NY with his two young daughters and they enrolled in P.S. 20. I have been so pleased with how much better they are doing in school and that they actually LIKE going to school now. Their reading and writing have improved tremendously. They have really received the attention and instruction that they needed and which is so rare in so many schools.

I am very happy with the school. The principal has been very attentive to our concerns and I appreciate that. He is very dedicated to the arts, and because of that the school has many partnerships with places that come and expose the kids to all kinds of activities that the city cut out long ago. My child is in the dual language program, and we are very happy with it. Where else will a child learn Mandarin for FREE? I don't know if they will be fluent, but what they learn at this age will stick with them, and I am pleased that they will not only learn in English. I think to the parents who are not pleased about the test scores, you need to remember that the test does not measure the whole child. There are school that teach so the kids will do well on "the test," but they will suffer in the other areas of development. I prefer my child be well rounded rather than think about the test for 4 years. There ARE schools that are all about testing, but that wasn't the right fit for us. I am so happy we found this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I was very excited when I heard about the Dual Language Program opening up at the Anna Silver School. I immediately did everything I needed to do to make sure that my child was enrolled in this program. WHAT A BIG MISTAKE! No one speaks mandarin at this schools except for the one teacher. The Principal doesn't speak mandarin. It is only a showcase to draw in middle-class families. It did not live up to what I was told it would be. I don't believe this school prepared my child for the work ahead in First Grade. I am more than disappointed! I am changing schools for my child next year.
—Submitted by a parent

I should have read the insideschools.org review ( DOWNSIDE: Test scores improving but still too low ) before enrolling my child at this school. I was pleased with the education my child was getting on the lower grades but once my child got into the third grade and took the NYS ELA and Math tests, my child failed. Now my child has to go to summer school and possibly get held over. I expressed my concerns to Mr. Lee earlier in the school year but they were never addressed. He brushed it off and assured me that my child was getting a quality education. I know better than to trust him on his word now. I will be transferring my child to another school next year, not only because of test scores but also because of the large class sizes and the bullying at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

The dual language immersion program is outstanding. Sing songs around the piano in Mandarin while warming up for the day's activities? Abosolutely. This is the place to be. The principal and teachers are both highly qualified and extremely professional. It is a caring school with a diverse mix of children. The best of New York.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is in preK at PS 20 and we couldn't be happier with the school. The principle is articulate, caring and committed. He knows every child in the school and will talk to parents about any concerns. This attitude is school wide, including teachers, security, maintenance, and office staff. PreK has a great balance of play and a quite serious early literacy curriculum. My son's teacher is fabulous. She is keeps order while infusing the day with a sense of fun and a love for learning.
—Submitted by a parent

Salutations, My brother was admitted to this school back in 2008, he is now in the 2 grade. Since his arrival, he has made improvements in overall academics. Previously he was struggling with speech delay and had trouble focusing but this school responded quickly and assigned him to a speech therapist. Since then he has made strives in his speech. Now he is recieveing tutoring for his classes. The principal is very attentive to each child and focuses on their needs individually.The teachers really care about the kids and really want them to succeed. now I have high hopes for his future!
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in the third grade at P.S. 20, having entered in Pre-k. I am so lucky that I found this school. The teachers are wonderful, they keep me informed. They make sure that the students are challenged on their level and the extra classes, computer, science, cooking,art, dance and last year, chess, help give the kids a well rounded background. The parents are friendly, the staff is helpful and welcoming. Mr. Lee has proven himself to be a dedicated leader. P.S. 20 is a traditional school in the best sense of the word.
—Submitted by a parent

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT STRUCTURED SCHOOL! I LOVE THE PRINCIPAL, MR.LEE, HE SO INVOLVED IN THE CHILDREN'S EDCUATION. THE TEACHERS ARE GREAT AS WELL!
—Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent school! The staff at my daughter's school is so dedicated to the academic achievment and social enrichment of their students.
—Submitted by a parent

I love PS2 I am so glad that my daughter was excepted and will continue to go to that school next year. The teachers communicate with me very well. I love the fact that next year they are starting a mandarin dual language class and she was excepted.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is caring and kind. It is neat and tidy, everyone treats you like family! Wonderfully diverse. Unlike other area schools it occupies the whole building instead of being a hodge-podge of several schools crammmed into one building. That gives it a more peaceful feeling, like learning is actually happening instead of crowding and hearding. Everyone always has time for you cares and concerns. The school communicates well and educates non stop. My kindergartener reads at a first grade level and recognizes academic achievement in himself and his peers as a coveted thing. He is proud of himself, his class and his school. He likes the gym, music and art offered there and constantly amazes me with what he has learned.
—Submitted by a parent

This school, is a very good school.Has potential of becoming a great school.But without a doubt is one of the best in the lower eastside Manhattan.Keep-up the good works.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a new parent at this school this year. My youngest daughter just entered kindergarten and came into the school as a very shy child, I have wittnessed my 5 year old become a whole other person and I thank the teachers and staff for that. Their patience with her is awesome, she has learned so much in just a short time. She is already reading and writing on her own and loves it. Ms. Weng is a wonderful teacher and my daughter really likes her and her new classmates. The SSA at PS 2o is also great she is at her post everyday and knows the children by first names, not just faces, and Mr. Lee is always available and in the hallways, Tracy the Parent Coord. has been a great help for this new mom I don't know how I would have made it with out her help.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school for my daughter. Is her first year and my daughter is very happy. She loves her teachers ms. Laurie and ms quiles. They surround the children with a positve environment. Evrey one is great and very helpful.
—Submitted by a parent

I can not say enough great things about P.S 20! The building itself is lovely and it has a wonderful large play yard. The office staff is warm and helpful. The teachers are caring and dedicated. The PreK and K programs are excellent. My daughter is currently in kindergarten and I am continually amazed by how much she is learning. There is also great communication between the school staff and parents. I could go on and on. I look foward to my daughters following years at P.S 20.
—Submitted by a parent

The school serves the downtown Manhattan diverse community. It is a school that excels. Our principal is very supportive to parents and the community.
—Submitted by a parent

I have to say my daughter has been attending P.S. 20 since pre-k and now she is going to third grade and has amazed me. She is an excellent student with all the help with the great teachers she has had now my son will be going into pre-k this yr. and I am sure he will have a great experience as his sister has had and is having. Tracy the P.T.C. is great at what she does and I must say the new Principal is showing all parents and students that he is a great leader for the school. So would I recommend the school to another parent I say yes this school is going to shine out like a star if it continues on with the great staff and leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

I think that P.S. 20 is the best school. My brother went to that school and now my daughters are attending P.S. 20. The school programs are all parent-oriented and they do a lot fund raising with family movie nights and bake sales. Tracy, the parent coordinator, is very nice and polite and always so helpful. The new principal of the school is very attentive and always shows he cares for the schools and the children. My daughter has received invitations to special programs (morning programs and after school programs) to help her prepare for the standardized tests. They help her prepare so well that now she doesn't need the extra help. She learned piano and she's now learning the saxophone. The school is friendly, safe and organized with tons of programs. What else can you ask for?! I love this school!. -MM, NYC
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended PS 20 since she was in Kindergarten. I am surprised to read a negative review from a parent. I think a school with such a large size can never please every parent. I have had problems at PS 20 and it was always resolved. They have a policy of not bringing personal toys or any sort of technical items to school. If your child loses an article of clothing there is a lost and found. Parent should be responsible about putting their students names on items. There have been a few changes in administration. And each year the adminstration strives to improve PS 20. There is plenty of control of students by teachers. I believe the problems arise during recess when there is too little staff. Parents who dont like that should volunteer instead of complaining. Great school!
—Submitted by a parent