Neighborhood School

I am pleasantly surprise! We had a few bad experiences in The Neighborhood School which is in the same building. The worst was when my 5 year old son had an asthma attack at The Neighborhood School and the nurse had called me to pick him up. When I arrived at the school in less than an hour time; he was removed from the nurse office by a staff. I found him lying on the bare floor in the main office which was crowded with kids and adults. When I spoke to the secretary that was in the room at the time, she stated that she offered him her scarf but he refused. I consider that environment unsafe. Losing hope in public school system; I enroll him in private school which closed after a few years. A friend recommended P.S. 63; I was definitely unsure about enrolling him but I am glad I did. In a year my son has blossom so much. P.S. 63 academics is very similar to the private school my son went to. I found the teachers and principle to be kind and informative. They always make an effect to reach out to the parents.. They also have the boys project which my son looks forward to every Wednesday. My son is the most precious gift I received. We finally found a home at P.S.63!
—Submitted by a parent

This schools is for kids who don't need any support and can lead their own learning. My child rarely learned necessary concepts in math, science and social studies because they were busy doing projects that were not as meaningfuil. If you go look in any of the classrooms they are messy and display little teaching or learning. In addition because of this "free" environment and style, there are no behavior expectations. I am constantly run over by kids running down the hall. So if your child can basically learn on their own and don't need quality teaching, then yes this is a great school. If your child needs a little more help like most kids or you value teaching, then the Neighborhood School is not a good fit.
—Submitted by a parent

For my kids, the mixed-age classrooms, emphasis on community and citizenship, and whole-child approach that values rich learning over standardized tests and textbooks has been a gift and a joy. My older child has studied -- in an in-depth, multifaceted way -- Greek mythology (how many 7-year-olds have studied The Iliad?), the physiology of trout (her 1st-2nd grade class raised them), the architecture of our city, the history of American immigration. My younger child has studied A Midsummer Night's Dream (in 1st grade!), written plays, learned math through graphing and grouping, and is thriving in a relaxed, loving, low-pressure environment. Every school has its challenging students, but I feel confident that TNS takes character and bullying seriously. Some parents have issues with mixed-age classrooms and classes mixing special ed and general ed students. I don't. Finally, I love that TNS still reflects the diversity of our neighborhood. I hope it will continue to maintain its wonderful mix of families and cultures as the East Village continues to gentrify. And I hope families that SHARE the school's values and let's-all-pitch-in ethos will apply!
—Submitted by a parent

Definitly steer clear of this school. It is not what it seems. The principal is clearly inexperienced and the classrooms lack teachers who are inexperienced. The so called paras are a joke. Especially during lunch duty. Numerous incidents with safety in the yard. Well over 75-100 students in the yard. This school also lacks using inproper testing to measure a childs intelligence. Classrooms lack color, material and childrens work. Enrichment classes are soooo lame. No challenges for children to experience. Both schools are in constant battle, and you can cut the tension between the two with a saw. RUN RUN RUN STEER CLEAR OF THIS SCHOOL>
—Submitted by a parent

This school is the worst school in america - think twice before putting your kids in here.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school...my son loves his teacher and the staff. The staff is supportive and encouraging. They truly help the children develop a love for learning. It's a wonderful school!!!
—Submitted by a parent

We feel very lucky to have our two children at the Neighborhood School. The teachers and staff are all so caring, experienced, intelligent and dedicated.
—Submitted by a parent

It's a dream school: a small progressive public school that really cares about the whole child!
—Submitted by a parent

The Neighborhood School is a diverse community of caring parents and educators who believe in the whole child in education. Parental involvement is encouraged and parents play an active role in enrichment on a volunteer basis, sharing their talents. Kids are encouraged with love, patience and kindness. Questions and thinking are a priority, and the kids feel free to express their ideas and are never afraid to explore. We are a warm community of learners together, kids, parents and teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

There are a core of teachers, who have been at TNS for 10+ years, who have taken it upon themselves to stand true to the original mission of the school. While it is true that the entire faculty and all the children and families work to make this a solid school, this particular core deserve every bit of praise they receive. They are, without a doubt, the blood line of TNS.
—Submitted by a parent

I love the school and the faculty. They have made my daughter and myself feel like family.
—Submitted by a parent

It's more than a school, it is a community of caring families.
—Submitted by a parent

The curriculum is top-notch: rigorous and ambitious in its thinking, engaging to the children, showing a great balance between the spreading of content knowledge and granting opportunities for thinking/creating processes to take hold in children. Both are valued and developed here, which gives kids what they need in order to think and discover for themselves. The teachers are great facilitators. Kids learn how to learn everything from Spanish to claymation to photography to life cycles to New York history. The classrooms, science room, and the library breathe learning. Bravo!
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers who help children thrive and learn in a creative and supportive environment.
—Submitted by a parent

The parent body, students, and most of the teachers are amazing. The principal is out of touch and has his own agenda, but does his best to put on a good show. Many families that are learning English as their non native language struggle to keep up, as the academics can be week to non existent. Children rely heavily on outside help from their parents and community, unless their teacher really stands their own ground and teaches in their own way, outside of the non existent curriculum. If you don't have one of those teachers you're out of luck. There are a lot of issues , but on the bright there is an amazing parent body and PTA and lots of potential and greatness in some of the previously hired shining star teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the best School. Great learning evviornment. Very diverse and full of wonderful arts programs. They even have a program with 3rd street Music School that offers 2 years of Music lessons! The strong perental envolvment helps alot
—Submitted by a parent

Great school...good diversity, parent involvement and the staff is wonderful. Sadly my son won't be attending next year due to us moving. Each child is welcomed here.
—Submitted by a parent

My son completed a great first year of Kindergarten and is now happily moving on to 1st grade this fall. Although I immediately liked the vibe, creativity, sense of community and diversity in the school, I was a little concerned about the academics. Mainly I worried because other parents commented often about the hour of homework their kid s got each night in TAG programs and NEST (Neighborhood has none!). Last summer I had gone with my gut and turned down a last minute TAG spot for him and I must say, I am thankful that he did not have an hour of homework each night! He s only 5.5 and he still has lots of playing to do, and it seems like he s learning a lot along the way in an integrated way, not just memorizing and repeating. He s really thinking for himself, reading and constantly discussing and practicing math amongst other things. We are really excited about this school, but I do feel like it could be a bit more organized behind the scenes. The good news is this year many new parents (and old ones) are rallying to get more focused, bring in more funds and take it up a notch so the school will have even more resources to support it s big beautiful heart and soul.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids did great here (the last will leave this year). It's a good mix of lower east side families. Hands-on learning, supportive environment for kids and staff, strong community/parent involvement/PTA. music, art, theater, science/technology, spanish, sports, conflict resolution, puppetry, cooking, gardening, nutrition,... The school philosophy and social studies based curriculum prepares our kids to be creative, critical and collaborative thinkers in their society. and the kids go to great middle/high schools and colleges.
—Submitted by a parent