Sisulu-Walker Charter School of Harlem

My child attended this school from 3rd grade and I had to transfer her out during the summer due to my unhappiness with this school. She is now attending another school for 5th grade. My child started at the same time that the new principal Dr. Cejas started. Since I had no prior history with the previous principal, I had an open mind in regards to the new principal. My mind has since been made up to remove my child from the school. The school is quite tight, with 1 space being used as a gym, lunchroom and auditorium. They don't offer much in the way of Afterschool for kids. The Afterschool ends at 6pm. According to my daughter the children just did their homework most of them. Very little in the way of fun activities. The children go on some nice trips during the school year. I do believe that the majority of the teachers working there truly care about the children but there are 1 or 2 teachers there that are clueless and who act ghetto. Academically they are strong in Mathematics but weak when it comes to Reading and Writing. They do offer a Saturday Academy that runs for 3 hours for 4 months to help students improve their Reading and Writing skills.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended this school for 2nd grade thru 5th. There is a lack of parental involvement & the new principal seems a bit standoffish as if she doesnt want to be bothered by the parents. She delegates parent inquiries to the clueless Assistant principal or rude & abrasive parent coordinator! The building is definitely overcrowded and the fact that there hasn't been an alternative used for recess is disgusting! The kids are housed inside from 8am-6pm. The test scores are average and the teacher turnover is extremely high! This is the only charter school remaining from the inital state charter sadly I feel its a disservice to the community! The transition to middleschool was a nightmare due to the lack of relationships and knowledge of the guidance counselor. Over 10 years and yet no substantial awards or gains for our children's advnacement...just SAD! Seek an alternative until changes are made!
—Submitted by a parent

A school I had grow so fond of has taken a turn for the worst. The teacher turn over rate is horrific! All the great teachers have left and the allocation of the teachers that remain is off centered. Parents are not welcomed by most of the administrative staff and unfortunately our children spend many hours enduring negative energy. I am doing everything in my power to make sure my children do not return in September. I do not recommend this school at all. They need to shape up big time. There is no space, classes are over crowded and kids hardly get recess (and I'm being generous with 'hardly'). I've reached out to the Principal, teachers (all three of them in one academic year) to no avail. I am soooo disgusted with Sisulu-Walker. The Board needs to get a clue. Who ever is responsible for the hiring needs to re-asses.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the last posting. My daughter has been attending this school since she was in 1st grade. I loved her teacher Mr. Smith, he's gone now. In 2nd grade, she went through 3 teachers. They were all great but i felt it was too much change. Now in 3rd grade I think all the good teacher left. This school as definitly gone down and the city makes it very hard for you to get in any other school that u would prefer.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent whose child has attended Sisulu since 2005,k I feel that Sisulu has went down hill and the only reason why my child is still here is because it's hard to find another school right now with another teacher that is as good as Ms. Haynes the best teacher in this godforsaken school. Without Ms. Haynes, our children would be lost.
—Submitted by a parent

There is too many issues with my childs class. She is in fourth grade and has been thru 3 different teachers in a span of a month. There is a new principle and she needs to assist the children who have behavioral issues instead of allowing them to keep disrupting the class. Overall, i have would not recommend this school. Too many issues and too many move arounds.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. My daughter has exceeded beyond anyones expectations. She has continued to make high honors and has scored beyond her grade level in her placements exams. The only problem is that some of the children dont have good examples at home so therefore bring 'ghettoness' to the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I love Sisulu Walker. They have the most amazing and qualified teachers. We're the first charter school in Harlem and we're still going strong. Sisulu is under the leadership of a new principal and she's just amazing. The only problem that i have is the lack of parental involvement. This is my son's second year - and we're looking forward to the next three!
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been attending this school for almost 3 years. Ms. Haynes his current teacher has done a wonderful job in preparing him for middle school. His test scores for (2004) were very good a 700 and 675. Bravo to Ms. Haynes and Ms. Fuller-Hope you must feel very proud of the acomplishment you have achieved. I am said that you my son will not have Ms. Haynes or Ms. Fuller-Hope to continue bringing out the best in him. If you have a chance to see Ms.Hope and Ms. Haynes doing what they do best which is teaching. You will know that your child education is very important to them.
—Submitted by Shauna Brown, a parent

My son has been attending this school for two. His teacher is an outstanding and wonderful teacher. Ms. Haynes goes the extra mile to make sure her students are doing the very best they can. Bravo to Ms. Haynes and Ms. Fuller-Hope for an outstanding job with the 2004 ELA and Math test.
—Submitted by Rose Alston, a parent

My child has been attending the Academy since 1999. This is the school's 3rd principle. When my child arrived the majority of the students were below level. They have turned around my children. There should've been a focus on the children who were above level. Those were the ones who suffered. That's why so many have taken their children out. The direct instruction curriculum worked for those who was below, the above children were bored and had disciplinary problems. Hopefully with the two years left they understand the importance of servicing all children's needs. Also they need to improve with parent participation. I was active from the beginning, the same 15-25 parents out of the 247 always participated in activities and meetings.
—Submitted by a parent