Girls Preparatory Charter School of New York

If you read MANY of the posts are from parents are looking for another school. I understand parents left but this is a place to review the school not how you feel because people had the courage to leave and speak up about it. I am still here and I speak up on a daily basis. A school that can cover up so many malicious acts from the parents does not have the best intentions. Can't wait to see the new rating - this will tell it all. This school gets a big fat F! Some parents who choose to stay might be able to handle the abusive ways of the staff but one day the truth will be told.
--Submitted by a parent

I like so many other parents have a child at Girls Prep she has been there for six years and will be the first to graduate. It sickens me that so many parents who choose to keep our girls there have to listen to the nonsense of those that left. I will say that the education starts at home my daughter like so many others is a success story I teach her to hold her own, and to fight for whats right. Me and my fellow parents are not quitters and you guys love to mouth off just to be heard and like the saying goes if you have nothing nice to say then don't say anything. So you found a good school a better school and yes the administration can be changed and yes we can use better teachers but you know what there's worst things out there let the parents that have girls at Girls Prep or choose to bring there girls there judge for themselves stop being mean Cause it makes you guys no better than the staff at Girls Prep. Cause your money school is gonna give you the best your paying for that education if you wasn't you think they'd really care. So you left Girls Prep leave us alone already find some humanity in yourselves leave the school and us parents and our children alone already.
--Submitted by a parent

Students are not taught positive behavior and then labeled for being "bad." There are fights and bullying. Students even make themselves sick just so they can get get away from the chaotic environment.

I am a former parent as well, as the previous parent stated - the CEO is not to fully blame but he does have a lot to do with the negativity that is now plaguing the school. My daughter was assessed in reading (6th grader) and was told she was on a 3rd grade reading level. When I asked how did she even make it out of elementary school with that level, all I heard were crickets and therefore I did not buy that story. At the new school my daughter is on a 7th grade reading level - what is wrong with this picture? The answer is statistics - GP has sold a lie that all the girls are below reading level and when they are reassessed - they have miraculously jumped 3, 4, and 5 levels - all in the name of trying to fool the parents into thinking their daughters are receiving a stellar education. GP needs to look good in order to bring students in. I know for a fact that a good 90% of the students will be continuing their education elsewhere come Sept. 2012. 2 more students have left as I write this - do not waste your time with this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a former parent, my daughter attended girls prep close to 6 years. The CEO is not to fully blame. The principal stated most of the Girls in middle school are reading below grade level, well most of them came from the elementary school. The reading specialist said my daughter was reading on a third grade level. The assessed her using Fountas and Phinnell, honestly neither one of them knew what they were talking about. In her new school my daughter is assessed by a computer can you believe my daughter does read on a 6th grade level and her comprehension is on a 9th grade level. Im not sure what to say about this. I feel like the school assessed the students on a lower level to make the scores look better for the administration at the end. I agree I think you should visit the school. Please keep in mind there is a big difference between elite school, working class school and the top 2% schools. Do you really want your child to go to a school where they drill information into them and do not produce leaders. Research the difference between the working class schools and private schools. Girls Prep is not the best option. If you can afford to leave then do so.
--Submitted by a parent

It is such a shame that parents compare a school to a super bowl game. Parents have left because they were lucky to find a school so late in the year. The majority is not happy and there aren't huge vacancies because the decent schools are full to capacity and parents need to rearrange their schedules so it is inconvenient at the time, don't you think? The many parents that are pleading to enter this school will be praying to get out. The chaos is in the middle school and you will see come September the handful that are left. I wouldn't call it hiccups but more like an embolism. The parents tried to partner with the school to no avail. We shouldn't be dreaming we should be acting upon the promises this school has failed to deliver. Responsibility works both ways when it comes to education, but when it is lopsided to accomodate the approach the middle school has taken and putting the girls at risk, I don't think so. Understand? If you are curious visit the school and speak to the parents, we are always around and don't lie. Don't forget to speak to the students too! This school is not fit for serious education.
--Submitted by a parent

It is such a shame some parents harbor such intense animosity and are not directing their energy for a more positive investment. If parents have left then maybe it wasn t a fit for their daughters or family however this is not the case of the majority. The school(s) would have huge vacancies; don t you think? Many children and families are desperate and pleading to enter this school. My daughter has been attending here for years and I m not sure if the parents are actually elementary or middle school parents; either way it is a handful not the majority of parents. The school did have their hiccups but what organization doesn t? It is up to the parents to partner with the school to obtain the results we ALL dream for our children. We are ALL responsible to the success or failure of a school; we are ALL accountable-- Eli Manning didn t win the Super Bowl 2012; but the NY Giants. Understand? If you are curious about this school, I say make an appointment and visit the school; and you be the judge. Don't let a few parents mislead a great choice. You would be pleasantly surprised & it's free! Visit several schools but eventually you would want your daughter here! Great School!
--Submitted by a parent

Because of this horrible school I am leaving the city in June. The education my daughter & niece receive is very lame and the way the girls are treated - without respect - is something I will not tolerate. I just received a letter that says money is missing. This is not the way to run a school that is so called reformed education. The CEO has bought nothing but negativity to this school, it is time to change. Goodbye!
--Submitted by a parent

I am embarrassed to say that I thought and spoke so highly of this school before. This school is not worthy of any praise. The only good thing that is left is the parents and the students. The elite who donate to this school need to be made aware of how their money is spent to pay teachers who are coached by the administration to not let kids speak, sign language is used because the kids have no voice - the parent's voice has been eliminated, now its the kids turn. How can this exist in this day and age. Parents do not even entertain the thought of sending your child to this school - you will be wasting your time, but more importantly, you will be doing your child and injustice.
--Submitted by a parent

Parents look elsewhere - GP has failed miserably and who are they kidding that it is the girls that are out of control and aren't up to grade level (words of the current principal). If this is true then the school gets an F for running themselves into the ground with the poor academics and they do not deserve to be around when their charter is up for review. I have spoken to parents who are no longer here and it is alarming to hear the what 6th grade science students in this school are learning is being taught to 3rd graders elsewhere - that is a hug gap and the administration is to blame. The kids here are being programmed to take tests and not be critical thinkers with a voice. I do not recommend this for any parent who really has their child's best interest at heart. The whole district knows what is going on, sadly the school fooled the parents into signing a handbook without explaining all the drastic changes such as a boot camp method for discipline. The parents didn't read it word for word as there was trust or so we thought it was the same as it had been for all the previous years. When complaints are made they are swept under the rug. I give this school an F.
--Submitted by a parent