P.S. 63 William McKinley

This school is excellent, a cut above alot of other public schools. The teachers are caring and engaging. The curriculum is challenging. The staff look for innovative ways to keep the students up to speed and having fun. My daughter enjoys going to school everyday. No school is without room for improvement however, this school is an excellent marriage between creativity and academic excellence.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to this back in the 70's in 4th grade, I had Mr Haupt for my 4th and 5th grade teacher and mrs. ghillis in 6th grade, at that time I went here, the school was great and the teacher's was very good teachers, I can't believe this school will change for the worse as i was reading others reviews, and all I can say I had a very good experience in this school, it had taught me how to read and become a good student. I just hope that the teacher's still care for the present day student as they did when I went to school there, I came from a catholic school from 4th grade to PS 63 4th grade and my reading level was 2 grades below level, PS 63 had bought my reading level upto grade level and meet my best friend there and other friends I had meet going to this school.

This is the worst school Ever!... Teachers just rate this school in a positive matter. This school needs a new face lift. The kids are not put first. My child attended this school last year. I pulled out my child a few months ago. Worst school ever. He received the worst education ever at PS 63.
—Submitted by a parent

PS 63 STAR Academy is an amazing school. The class size is small, the students are engaged, and the administration is constantly working to make the school a better place. The school runs smoothly due to the great leadership of the principal and the dedicated teachers who work long into the night creating fun and educationally challenging programs for the students. The parents are always willing to help and support the school in any way possible. I am proud to be a teacher at STAR Academy.
—Submitted by a teacher

From the perspective of the school librarian--working with both PS 63 and PS 363 in the building--I can say that Principal Despeignes enables a dynamic library program for our teachers and students. This administration understands that students' excitement about reading encourages reading and reading itself improves reading skills. High expectations for good behavior and academics are upheld by every teacher that works with me in the library, and with the small class sizes, no child "falls through the cracks." The staff is working hard to overturn the school's undeserved negative image. Positive parent involvement could be stronger.
—Submitted by a teacher

I am pleasantly surprise! We had a few bad experiences in The Neighborhood School which is in the same building. The worst was when my 5 year old son had an asthma attack at The Neighborhood School and the nurse had called me to pick him up. When I arrived at the school in less than an hour time; he was removed from the nurse office by a staff. I found him lying on the bare floor in the main office which was crowded with kids and adults. When I spoke to the secretary that was in the room at the time, she stated that she offered him her scarf but he refused. I consider that environment unsafe. Losing hope in public school system; I enroll him in private school which closed after a few years. A friend recommended P.S. 63; I was definitely unsure about enrolling him but I am glad I did. In a year my son has blossom so much. P.S. 63 academics is very similar to the private school my son went to. I found the teachers and principle to be kind and informative. They always make an effect to reach out to the parents.. They also have the boys project which my son looks forward to every Wednesday. My son is the most precious gift I received. We finally found a home at P.S.63!
—Submitted by a parent

Congratulations to The S.T.A.R Academy- PS 63 for being the "Top Performing Elementary School" in all of District 1. Check out the City-wide Progress Reports to see how all of the District 1 schools ranked. I went to a District meeting and saw a poster of all the scores. I was excited to see my child's school on the top.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school! My son has attended this school since kindergarten and he is currently in the 5th grade. Each year, his teachers have been fabulous - extremely dedicated and caring. He is reading well above his grade level and performed extremely well on the state exams. The principal has worked to keep the class sizes small and each year new programs are offered (like the enrichment program for gifted students, student jobs, family fun nights), and more improvements are made. Most importantly - my son is happy, safe and challenged academically! We will be sad to leave next year when he goes to middle school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a great small school. They have a lot of opportunities for kids to get involved in their school. Also, the class sized are pretty small!. My child is loving what she is learning in classes. I think the people who are complaining are probably those who actually have to be accountable for how their children behave. Whenever I have had issues at school I have spoken to the Principal or the teacher and things were taken care of right away. If you don''t think stuff is being taught, go on a tour and look in the classrooms. The rooms are covered with what the kids are learning. an d the students work. My kids are happy and that makes me happy.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a teacher at PS 63 and wish to address some of the negative comments: "The only priority they have are the feelings of the "teachers". They do not care if the children succeed." Student achievement is top priority and teachers are held to extremely high standards. The principal is a tough cookie and not one to spare our feelings if we are not demonstrating classroom rigor. "They do not properly watch the children. They stand around in groups and chat among themselves and children get hurt." Recess is supervised by school aides AND a licensed guidance counselor. "They teach them how to read by memorizing not by phonics." Research shows that phonics is not an effective methodology - the rules are unreliable and do not promote meaning. We use a research-based workshop curriculum that teaches reading in context, linking word-solving directly to comprehension. "There is no science or proper social studies on the lower levels." a science coach works w/ teachers to ensure science is taught meaningfully in all grades Our social studies curriculum is standards-based, planned around enduring understandings and real-world performance tasks, and submitted for administrative review.
—Submitted by a teacher

Talk about focusing on individual attention........NOT.......the teachers for the specific classroom my child was in, blamed my child for their lack of experience and inconsistency in the classroom......the classroom was a joke, they set no discipline and expect the children to be little robots as if they were taught to litsen from the very beginning. The specific teachers I'm referring to continuously to lie in your face and blame the principal for everything......last school year for my child....waste of education
—Submitted by a parent

It feels like we have wasted a year of my child's education at this school, we will definately be moving schools next year. The classroom teacher has been teaching for too many years and does not use any appropriate/current educational techniques or materials to help the students learn. There was no individualized instruction as promised at the start of the year, and my child has begun to be bored in school. Reading has been taught by memorization rather than by phonetics, the children do not get outside each day for recess, healthy eating is not advocated, the kids watch movies at school, and the classroom teachers/rules are strict and cold for little children; my child has not learned a thing this year, except how to sit quietly at the table when the teacher BLOWS A WHISTLE! & how to do nearly 10 pages of handwriting homework each evening (this is a pre-school class). The parent coordinator is the nicest woman ever, and the principal seems to have worked hard to improve the school. Unfortunately, some teachers appear to be teaching one year too many, and maybe should consider retirement if they are unable to deal with energetic, happy little children.
—Submitted by a parent

I took my child out last year. My child is doing better. With all of the staff they have you would think they can do an excellent job teaching. Well look for another school.
—Submitted by a parent

The new principal has greatly improved this school. I enrolled my 2 boys after the school year had started with great concerns as my children attended catholic school, however, both my children have flourished. Their teachers are well prepared, attentive, caring and the curriculum prepares children to compete in todays world. THe school does not tolerate ANY bullying or nonsense and works with the kids at a young age to make sure they learn proper socialization. I am very pleased.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has completed her Kindergarten year here and I must say that her teacher was a Godsend. My daughter was experiencing sensory issues as well as seperation anxiety. She would have melt downs pretty frequently and with the personal help from her teachers we managed to get it under control. At the end of the school year she turned out to be the sweetest, happiest little girl that I knew she was. I look forward to her time in 1st grade.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter and I moved to nyc after she finished 2nd grade, we came from a suburban neighborhood just outside of DC (in Va). It was initially a culture shock for Natalia (big city etc) but she has thrived in this school. Her test scores, reading and math and social skills have blossomed in this great school. She was very shy in Va however it's all but dissappeared since attending ps63. The teachers are very caring and I'd say very motivated. Natalia is in good shape at this school and of course that means I have one less thing to worry about:)
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended 5th grade in this school. Previously she had above-grade level scores on all her citywides and no behavioral problems. While in this school her score dropped, and I received constant complaints from her teacher regarding her behavior. I 'dropped by' and I found her entire class in an uproar, controlling the classroom. (science) For all the complaints of rowdy children I have yet to hear of a solution for the ineffective teachers. I believe the small size of the student body contributes to the 'small world' mentality. Teachers are more concerned with the drama of winning the battle between student and teacher, and judgment of parents and need to be reminded of the task at hand...preparing and empowering our children for the world outside of ps 63. In their defense, this was my isolated experiences with 2 teachers. I did come across a few caring faces (Mr. Pearl)
—Submitted by a parent

Thanks to the New principal in PS 63 things are much, much better. With a new curriculum student's grades sould be higher. Thanks again to all staff. Great work. Jessica Badillo> Jamel Daniels
—Submitted by a parent

I have my grandson in this school w/no complains until this year. He does not get enough science or social studies homework. My grandson says that he gets it in the class, but still next year he will be city-wide tested. They should start preparing them. Also, teacher is always absent and the school is getting a new principal. I hope this new principal changes all that. The after school program is fantastic. Thx.
—Submitted by Alicia Gonzalez, a parent

My daughter attended a school in Brooklyn which was not @ all very good & the teachers there were not of any help. She ended up getting held up & learned nothing. We moved to the city to be closer to my job & in my opinion this is a really good school. Her teacher was great & always keeping us informed about her behavior, grades, & how to help her out more @ home. Afterschool is also the best, because she always came home with her homework completed & with a better understanding, she even had to take an extra reading class before her afterschool program & that was the greatest help. She still raves about her teachers & friends & is looking forward to 2nd grade.
—Submitted by a parent