P.S. I.S. 187 Hudson Cliffs

Lord, this school sounds like a disaster. Thanks community rating(s). Think I'll be moving along.

We left this school after K. I think it was--and can be again in the future--a great school. But the last few years PS 187 has lost 10 to 12 teachers to budget cuts. Class size has swelled to 30 in first grade, science instruction was eliminated for K-2, and there's very little differentiation in teaching for students. I liked that the school focused on the basics. But it was clear that even that can't be done well with large classes and questionable discipline policies. What's more, the needs of many students simply aren't met. If you need lots of help, you get it. If you're average or better, you get a lot less. There are also more than a few parents who don't care. My son's K teacher said he was one of 5 or 6 kids who did the homework regularly; 7 or 8 did the homework fewer than twice a month. More than once I heard a parent tell a young child to hit or punch other kids if they did X or Y. What's more, I don't think the principal has made a real effort to correct what the school quality reviewers always notice: no differentiation in education. There are some wonderful teachers in the school and lots of potential. But there are many issues to tackle to make it great.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree that the school has some great programs and teachers. I am also not so sure that my child should miss their very much appreciated art class for a program that was pushed by other parents. I didn't sign my child up for it. I am glad that the principal sticks to traditions in which the school was founded upon--I didn't sign my child up for experimentation! My child is at school to learn and grow rather than be entertained by "fluffy" teachers. What I am disappointed in is the parents inability to come together to work WITH the school. It is sad to see that there is a small minority of parents who push their progressive agenda rather than what is best for ALL students.
--Submitted by a parent

Not all parents agree with progressive education. Let me make it clear that I am a fan of what PS/IS 187 has to offer. I am NOT a fan of parents running the school. As for the music teacher accolades- most of us know the political nature of that comment. A select group of parents want to run the school and that needs to be stopped by the administration. I have spoken to my children and several teachers about these so-called needed extra programs and the consensus is that teachers have little say in what programs are effective. Again, it is all about the parents and their status. They should find another school. I do agree with the statement about the teachers- yes, some are good and some not quite.
--Submitted by a parent

The community that this school is a part of is what makes it a great neighborhood school. The parent involvement is amazing and the money the parents raise really bring exciting programs to the school and infuse the traditional curriculum to make it more creative and exciting, but the parents have to work really hard to save this school from being less than mediocre. Unfortunately, the administration is lackluster- the principal favors the more boring/yelling teachers and is not a visionary or open to progressive ways of thinking or experimentation- and does not recognize or appreciate the stellar creative teachers. There is a mix of FANTASTIC teachers and ones that are burnt out and not-so-great. The building is well kept and beautiful and my children are having a good experience and have wonderful friends. The music teacher is AWESOME and programs that bring poetry, yoga, hands-on science and theater make there way into the classroom. My children do thrive there and I am appreciative of that. I am also dedicated to working toward making the school better.
--Submitted by a parent

I went to this school back in the 90's and the only thing I have to say is "THIS IS THE WORST SCHOOL I'VE EVER BEEN TO". The school was a nightmare for me because teachers didn't pay attention to students when they needed academic help and tutoring, students got yelled at all the time and got detention for nothing. I am so traumatized after going to this school that I would never send my children there.

It is a safe, solid community, where parents, administrators and teachers work hard to help our school and students achieve their goals.
--Submitted by a parent

I would not agree that Ms. Aravena was the best principal. I am happy with the change. I have one child in the middle school and one child in the elementary and I feel they both are being given a high quality education. My only complaint is the parents who feel they own the school and know best teaching practices.
--Submitted by a parent

Both my sons started at this school in kindergarden ( one is graduating 8th grade this year and my younger one is in 5th grade) and even my husband attended this school. But the middle school is not equal at all to the elementary school. I felt that the kids 'get lost' and they are not provided with enough prep to get to high school. I had to do a lot of my own research regarding applying to high schools for my son and was very disappointed with the school. Luckily my son did make it into a great high school as well as my younger son made it into another great public middle school in the city. Everyone will agree that Ms. Aravena was the best principal and the school def needs a leader as strong and caring as her !
--Submitted by a parent

My child attends pre-K program at the school. The teacher, Dorothy, and her assistant, Narcissa, are very nice. Narcissa has been doing beautiful art projects with kids. Ms. Dorothy usually has a topic to discuss with the kids at the beginning of the class and then sits down to play with a group of kids or leads a science project. The environment in the class is very structured. I would have hoped that teachers would pay more attention to social interactions in the classroom. I realize that possibly more resources are needed for this, however I believe that it is very important.
--Submitted by a parent