Junior High School 104 Simon Baruch

This school is awful. The kids are rowdy, violent and fight. I don't think there is a day where a fight doesn't happen in this school. The kids are always yelling, screaming, shoving and curseing. The school has 20+ surveillance cameras and the administration watches them like hawks as if its a prison. The police have been called to the school more than four times this year (2013) and I certainly do not recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Just had to respond after viewing recent parent post (4/26). Worst example of public school? Rude/ridiculous students? Is this irate individual speaking about MS104? I have two children attended/attending this school - I cannot disagree more with accusations/assessment. Nothing is perfect, however I do find the school clean, orderly, and endowed with wonderful space (large yard, newly refurb. auditorium, large gym, sci lab, ceramics classroom. The teachers my children had/have are enthusiastic, active, and truly interested in student performance/learning. The children I interfaced with as friends of my children and in school have been fine.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has potential.. but most of the kids there are rude and are RIDICULOUS. They're the worst example of a public school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school lacks a proper education system I am currently in this school and find myself learning subjects that I have already learned in elementary school. This is a horrible school DO NOT GO HERE.

Simon Baruch JHS 104 is one of the best middle schools in the city. Under the guidance of an excellent principal Baruch offers a strong academic program with SP classes, Regents classes in 8th grade, the options of Spanish or French language, a fabulous theater department, wonderful visual arts including ceramics; music electives (band), computers and creative writing. Sports teams include track, volleyball, wrestling, baseball, softball, girls' and boys' basketball, rugby, and flag football. Clubs include Green Team, Biology, Drama, Debate, Ceramics, Art, Robotics, and Chess. Baruch offers free SHSAT prep and sends many students to NYC Specialized High Schools, Performing Arts High Schools and other highly ranked high schools. The guidance counselor is committed and went out of her way to help my daughter with her high school choices. Students at Baruch come from all over the world. Although Baruch is a large school the kind and compassionate faculty and the division of the school into "Houses" ensures that no children are ignored. My daughter had an amazing experience at Baruch, has made many lasting friendships and has an excellent foundation for future academic success.
—Submitted by a parent

i love this school it is a great school.my son is learning so much new things
—Submitted by a parent

great school, sure wish it went all the way to 12th grade, my kid graduates this year, has had a wonderful experience here, made lots of friends, teachers are great, offers drama, music, art, ceramics, spanish, french, track, basketball, P.E. etc. along with your basic subjects. I would send my kid here all over again if I had to, no regrets here.
—Submitted by a parent

it is a very good school. i love it. i recommend it to other parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Today I got my yearbook, the markings that I am a senior. I love this school and the Drama Club. It had opened up new oppurtinites and gave me a reason to do well. The teachers are helpful and caring, the students are supportive and we have our laughs. I'm going to miss this school when I move on to Brooklyn Tech next year. I'm going to miss the teachers, students of '11, and Drama Club of Grease -Afro Samurai
—Submitted by a parent

Simon Baruch was a horrible experience for me. I know it has changed me for the worse. Everywhere you look, kids are tormenting each other, while most of the teachers just turn the other cheek. I'm EXTREMELY happy that I graduated and am out of that place no longer having to go back. DO NOT PUT YOUR CHILD HERE! Trust me you'll regret it.~student

i graduated from baruch last year and i think my friends and i would agree we had a great tim ethere and it really prepared me for high school. i just dont like ms.goldstein she has a problem with being rude and thinks shes the boss.. but other than that its great and boys never harrased the girls unless they asked for it.

I am a former teacher at Simon Baruch, I had the extreme, thankfully brief, displeasure of working with the "new crop" of teachers that have recently taken over . This may sound harsh, but I cannot understand why so many individuals that obviously can't stand children and have no work ethic whatsoever decided to become teachers. Thanks to its teachers, Simon Baruch is now among the saddest of examples of where this country s entire public education system is headed. If you care at all about your child, you cannot allow the system to place them in Simon Baruch. I ALSO KNOW FIRST HAND THAT A GREAT MANY OF THE GOOD REVIEWS WRITTEN ABOUT THIS SCHOOL ON THIS SITE WERE WRITTEN BY THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION.
—Submitted by a teacher

This is the worst school ever. My daughter has been attacked and beaten several times by boys here, AND NO ONE WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. Advice: IF YOU SEND YOUR KID HERE, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE GREAT HEALTH INSURANCE AND A GREAT LAWYER. The teachers and principals act like you don't even exist.
—Submitted by a parent

The principal is inadequate, as is a large number of her staff. They don't seem to have the skills to run the school, provide discipline, structure, and the attention kids need. The principal seems to be more concerned about maintaining an "image" and her job than really doing what's best for the kids. There's violence, a lot of kids cursing, and rules breaking everywhere. If the teachers like you, you can basically do whatever you want. If you're too quiet, too loud, too smart, not smart enough - you will not do well here. The teachers and students will pick on you. Not a good faculty.
—Submitted by a parent

One of the best schools here. You can meet new friends and exellent teachers that actually care about you. Before I was a lonely kid, when i joined Baruch i become popular and that definitely changed my life.

The housing system allows needed individual attention. The teachers and administration are fantastic. The drama after school is the best in the City. Our child could not have had a better middle school experience. Three cheers for our Principal Gaetani,and Viva 104!
—Submitted by a parent

My son is now a 9th grader in one of the top specialized high schools in the city. He was a Baruch SP student for all 3 years of middle school. We find that MS 104 prepared him better for the rigors of this high school than some of the smaller middle schools did for his friends. He is excelling in math and science and credits that, in part, to the solid background he got in both subjects at Baruch. A bigger middle school makes for an easier transition to a big high school, and, in general, the specialized high schools are big!
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended 104 6th through 8th sp program and he is now in a very well known hs.104 did not do a good job as far as the homework load and quiz prep. H.s is a major step to climb.
—Submitted by a parent

i am not satisfyed with the quality of understanding of the students along with the teachers, i am really unhappy.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has a nurturing environment, with all teachers here being intelligent, stimulating, energetic and enthused. to the post dated September 18, 2008: I am not sure what is meant by 'especially those of us with students in the SP program'. My son is not in the SP program. But he is far from a 'problematic kid', whatever that means. He is friendly, smart and hard working. So are many of his friends who are also not in SP. Some of these students just require more attention and a smaller class size and/or have particular issues with math and/or writing. On the other hand, there equally are 'problematic kids' in the SP Program. My son has generally been treated by the teachers/administration with equal care as the SP kids, but I do remain concerned about segregation and tracking . I believe it to be not a problem at Baruch.
—Submitted by a parent