Ascension School

Ascension is an amazing school. We are in the Pre-K and the teachers and the principal are marvelous. They seem to practice positive discipline and the kids all seem very well-behaved and happy. We considered all the other Pre-Ks on the UWS (where our friends send their kids)-Ascension was as good as any of them. You can't beat the tuition either! The program is developmentally appropriate. It is academic, but the kids have a lot of free play. Love, love, love this school.
—Submitted by a parent

We love this school the learning environment is the best you could get for your children . My son's learn something new everyday and they love going to school they look forward to learning and seeing their friends everyday . We have developed friendships with so many different family's you don't have to be R. C. to attend Ascension . When we drop our children off in the morning we know they are safe we know they are getting a great education what more could you ask for. All of our children have an avg of 90 or better. No school is 100% but Ascension comes pretty close .
—Submitted by a parent

Our child was interviewed and did not get in. There was no explanation. We were told he performed well in all the tasks but they were not accepting him. No explanation.
—Submitted by a parent

ascension school is the best school in the country. the principal mr. mc,mahon is a great principal. the teachers are fun and interactive with the students. the gym teacher is the best mentor i know i actually belive he should be a teacher. the kitchen staff is the best, they are nice and thoughtful for others. the nurse is a overalll great nurse she takes care of her patience with love and care.most of all the students are a good influence on other. as you can see ascension is a great school. infact this here letter is wrote by a 7th grade student by the names of (Ben Frierson) if you want a great future for your child this is the one.

Let me just say that this school is horrible. If you're smart you would not put your child in this school. The gym teacher is unfair and my teacher is not prepared (he told us that he was a teacher just because it was his last option.) he takes the wrong notes and brings us down late for lunch and dismissal. Also the principal is very passive. The eighth graders are always on the street corner and if he tells them to move and they don't he doesn't try again. The only good part of this school is fifth grade. The teacher is amazing. He is the best teacher in the entire school. He is dedicated and makes learning fun. All the students like him. If you want a good teacher for your fifth grader come to this school then I would highly reccommend you to take your child out of this school. They deserve a better education than what this school is giving them.

There was a typo in my review: The work I witness around the school does NOT compare to current work in the better upper west side public schools.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in her first year at Ascension, and I must say that I am in love. The school is so reflective of the wider New York City demography, and I get to interact with some of the most committed parents, who want their children to be educated, but also want them to have fun. At Ascension, I feel we are getting the best of both worlds. My daughter is reading, writing and doing math. I am so happy with the school.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been attending the Bright Little Stars Infant/Toddler Program at Ascension since she was 9 months old. I am very impressed with the dedication and warmth of everyone involved with the program My daughter is now 15 months old and I intend to let her stay at Ascension.
—Submitted by a parent

As another reviewer said, this is the best kept secret in Manhattan schools. The teachers are all excellent and truly dedicated, all highly qualified. The staff are equally dedicated and know the name of every child! The school has a strong community feel, very involved parents with a very active fund raising association and Parent-Teacher Advisory Board. Parental involvement is encouraged. We have two children in the school, one from Pre-K 4 through 1st grade (where she is now), and one in 5th grade who started in 3rd. Would recommend this school to all.
—Submitted by a parent

Ascension has an excellent PreK-3 program taught by Miss Leigh-Anne. I am very impressed with her ability to manage the classroom while effectively teaching an appropriate and impressive curriculum for the age group. My child has learned a lot this past year. She was introduced to the alphabet and learned more numbers. I know for a fact she received a terrific education. The teachers are incredibly warm and professional. The school has a nice community - a lot of teachers, staff and administrators know my daughter by first name. I only hope that parents will become more involved to make this an even better school!
—Submitted by a parent

Ascension is the best kept secret in NYC! My son is in the Pre-K3 program, and it is fantastic! The teacher has a Master's degree, and she and the assistant are so loving and enthusiastic about what they do. All of the children adore them, and have learned SO much! The curriculum incorporates the best of several different teaching models...they have self-directed learning from "work stations", and as well as more structured class activities. Plus, a different "enrichment" class each day. Our son has learned so much...but most importantly, he really enjoys going to his "big boy school" each day! We had started our son at a "more prestigious" school in the UWS when he was an infant for childcare. Our experience with Ascension has far exceeded that of the previous school on every count! (And it is a fraction of the cost!)
—Submitted by a parent

this school is not very good. Every day i dropped of my son (6th ) there were 8 different girls swearing and copying homework. All the students yell and push each other and are fine with failing and have no thirst to go to high school. The teachers yell and i am very disappointed.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a professor of Education at CUNY and I love this school! The teachers are superb and the climate of the school is extremely welcoming. It is academically rigerous and they have a high success rate on the NY State Tests in both 4th and 8th grade. They offer gym, creative movement, and art (not enough and the PTAB is working on that!) as well as a nice after-school program. My son and my daughter are both very happy here. Check it out!
—Submitted by a parent

I was not happy with my son's former nursery school on the UWS. Although we are not Catholic, we decided to send him to Ascension for a more structured school setting. My main concern about the school was that there was no play space other than the gymnasium. Other than that, the school is really a jewel. Wonderful classroom space, a great early literacy program, art, music, phy ed, creative movement, religion classes (who doesn't know The Lord's Prayer?) ,warm and caring teachers, the principal is always available, etc. And tuition is about 1/3 what I was paying before! My son loves the school and he says it all the time. He will probably go to another private school in Riverdale next year, with his sisters, but I have to say again that I think Ascension should really be on everyone's radar.
—Submitted by a parent

Academically, very sound--our daughter, who is in 1st grade-- is reading, writing, adding, subtracting! What I love most about this school is that it looks like NYC: the ethnic make-up of the school reflects the neighborhood. That was important to us. This school is a community of people of all races and backgrounds who care about their children.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is great!! My daughter is in Ms. Leigh-Ann's Pk-3 class and she is learning and growing academically each day. I have nothing negative to say about the early childhood program.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently in the 8th gradeand this school is amazing!!! My classmates are so energetic and cool well some of them. this school has given me so many oppurtunities to have. I'v only been here for 4 years. Plus i get to go to Washingto DC and Delaware for my graduation trip! how cool is that. Our class aso gets to go to Ellis Island too on the ferry! I love Ascension School! It has changed my entire life. If you're choosing a great elementary school, choose Ascension. i gauruntee you'll like it.
—Submitted by a student

As an alumni of Ascencion and now mother of 3 boys I am proud of the fulfilling education that this school has offered. Having a recent graduate who pioneered the first preschool class in 1997, a 5th grader and a pre-k 4 I only hope that those who share concerns of a great education will consider this as one of excellence.
—Submitted by a parent

My son finished kindergarten with Ms. Marissa. He really enjoyed going to school everyday. He is becoming a good reader and writer. They have a excellent Early Childhood Program. blends
—Submitted by Delores, a parent

I graduated from Ascension in 2006 and I miss it a whole lot. MY teacher was Mr. Roda and I must say I think I learned way more then what my parents were paying for. Excellent teaching very strict rules but well worth it. I carried a lot of knowledge with me over to high school and the knowledge i carried is well spent. Great school! Ps. Ms. Elizabeth and Bridie are like the nicest ladies ever! -Giovanni Rangel =]