P.S. 116 Mary Lindley Murray

My daughter is almost finished with her time at 116. The teachers have been very strong. They are the heart and soul of the school. My daughter has enjoyed her friends, felt challenged and experienced some very good relationships across the faculty. The administration is terrible though. I dislike the principal and feel that she is completely removed from the parents, save a few big fund raisers. The cut backs obviously hurt and we all chip in a great deal to provide for all the children, as parents. I like the middle school adviser. The on-site after-school is terrible as well. The woman who runs it is only focused on her profits. Most of the teachers and programs are pretty below par. The kids aren't enriched and the supervision is also lacking and leads to a lot of issues that play out in school. My daughter is on the track team and has loved that experience. The study population is mixed and is trending to less diverse as the economy continues to falter among working families.
—Submitted by a parent

The administration is cold, unreceptive and deceptive. The principal is not nurturing and is focused only on test scores. The quality of the school has deteriorated from an A to a C since the previous principal left. This school is over crowded. There were 7 Kindergarten classes the year my child enrolled. Due to overcrowding children have little time for lunch and almost no Physical Ed. The administration has not figured out a way to demand more from the board of ed to ameliorate the situation as they are kow towing to the system - for example children barely have 15 minutes for lunch and are then herded out of the cafeteria. This school left my children nervous with low self esteem. They did not know the 50 states or presidents or geography by the time they left. If the subject cant be filled in a bubble on ELA or Math test it is not taught. Very Very high teacher turnover.
—Submitted by a parent

In this school your socio economic background has a great deal to do with your experience. From the initial process of registration I sensed and witness a strong energy of discontent towards the parents of a lower income and cultural background. The PTA is highly creative with fundraising events however some events are exclusive to parents of a certain economic class. In the event that you should raise concern in the day to day functions beware of the cold shoulders and tick for tack methods of the staff. Which also involve finding any and every error in you or your child and elaborating on it until it is an issue. Unfortunately I ve seen minority families enroll and withdraw their children from this school that expressed these same concerns but were unwilling or unable to express these feelings on a public forum such as GreatSchools. On a positive note the school has amazing resources and extracurricular activities for the children as well as an outstanding afterschool program. I hope this gives a bit of insight and helps another parent to decide if this school is a good socially balanced environment for their child.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been very happy with the school. Strong academics with emphasis on writing. Lots of support with related services excellent. Also great community and after school program. Ny chess kids based at school big plus. Classes reasonable size.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids attended this great school all the way till graduation, love, love, love it, best elementary school ever. If i had to choose a school all over again, this would be it, no regrets here.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful School, great teachers and very involved parents. My daughter loves the school and the specialty classes offered are wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

True great school, staff and parents very active. Congratulation in having a wonderful neighborhood family oriented school
—Submitted by a parent

My son just finished his 1st grade. When he enrolled into kinder, he was a student know nothing about alphabet and cannot write anything. This summer he is finishting his 1st grade with reading level of "N". Because I am forcusing ore on teaching foreign langauge at home ( First langauge for me and my son I think) I did not spend any time to teach English other than have him finish homeowork. So, I can say all his progress is purely teacher's effort for K and 1st grade. Thjanks so much!
—Submitted by a parent

My son went to PS116 for K and First. We loved it!!! He is starting 5th in the Fall and we still miss PS116 it was a fantastic experience living in NYC. Their academic curriculum was diverse; chess, music and dance were specials that not all school offer. Their afterschool program (run by the PTA) was exceptional and affordable. Science, Chess and Tada were our favorites. I also liked that it's a 5 story building, children will get daily exercise as the science lab, dance studio and music room were on the fifth floor. An excellent city public school, far superior to some private schools.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a very old student of Ps116, though it has been 6 years I have left PS116, I still remember every time spent there. Enjoying with friends and the great education provided. My teachers were very delighted with my work and I found myself lucky to have them. I appreciate the fact that i was once part of Mary Lindley Murray School, and as a proud student, I would recommend this school to every parent, for its well known education.

Positive: 1. All kids can have more fun classes after school; 2. All teachers are nice, never rude to students; 3. All teachers love children and treat them great; 4. All children have homework everyday; 5. Kids like to go to school everyday; 6. All teachers always encourage kids to learn more things, and praise kinds when they do good job. Negative: 1. The kids don't really like the lunch;

Now that my daughter has been out of PS 116 for almost two years I look back on her time of learning there as a wonderful experience. Sometimes it takes that distance to really understand how well they prepared her for middle school.I believe she is excelling in science because of the spark they ignited at 116
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. It has such a sense of community. My son goes off happy every day. He is learning so much. The teachers and staff are wonderful. The curriculum is challenging. I couldn't ask for a better environment for my child. PS 116 is the best!
—Submitted by a parent

The outstanding curricula and programs, as well as the dedicated and concerned teaching staff.
—Submitted by a parent

A great school with a diverse student body, dedicated and innovative teachers and administrators, and involved parents.
—Submitted by a parent

P.S. 116 has helped my daughter deal with seperation anxiety, she was having such a hard time and thanks to the wonderful teachers and staff she has overcome and is doing wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

Besides the alliterative address of 'toidy-toid-and-toid?' My nephew is very excited about school every day, and that's all I need to know.

It does a great job of raising thinking future adults-Hank-P
—Submitted by a parent

PS116 is a great school. My son just got in third grade. We came from Korea when he was 2 years old. I thought he might have a hard time to catch the class by lack of English proficiency. However, the school offers individual study to learn English. Now he is always happy to do his homework and go to school.
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers and caring staff. My son loves learning new things and I credit the teachers and administration for instilling this attitude in him!
—Submitted by a parent