Harlem Link Charter School

My son been going to this school since 1st grade the teachers & staff are good they let you know ahead of time how your child been doing in school, and it also give parents a opportunity to participate in school .
--Submitted by a parent

My children attend Harlem Link Charter School and I have to say i'm very impressed by their improvement. The teachers are hands on with each child, and i find that to be great so they know who's stronger in which subject . My son have been Student of the month twice and his grades prove the hard work. All the negative things being said about this school is disgusting and I'm disappointed. I'm very hands on with teachers and staff simply because i want to know whats going on in my child's behavior and academics while I'm not around. It doesn't start at school, IT COMES FROM HOME so don't blame the teachers!!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

Actually, I went to this site to see what is being said about the school. I understand the concerns from parents. I also see the disciplinary problems that staff deal with every day. While there are parents who are involved and active in the school's parent programs, there are twice as many parents who are not - and who don't bother to come to Parent / Teacher conferences to see what's going on with their children. There is no way and no excuse on this earth that would keep me from being involved in my child's school life. It saddens me to see these children day after day and realize how little the parents actually know about the school and their child's academics.
--Submitted by a teacher

Id like to comment about the other parent saying most parents leave everything to the school and I wasn't doing my job as a parent. First of all Im heavingly involved in my child ademics. Im @ Harlem link consistently I witnessed inappropriate screaming matches between teachers and other students.Im a hands on parent making sure my child does everything he is supposed to do. If your child folds her hands all day and is a puppet of course u wouldnt have any problems with any teacheRs.my child is intelligent and opinated. Harlem links does not know what to do with children who have ideas. this school only know how to deal with children who sit quietly all day with no issues. those kids get a pass. but when u have a child who is not being challenged because this child is brilliant and the work is too easy these children tend to get in trouble. this school is poor. with teachers who dont have licenses .these teachers are not qualified and competent themselves.when u have students challenging teachers and the teaches have no response other than sending a child to the dean because the teacher feel intimidated by a child . parents look elsewhere. guaranteed happiness for most children.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with the other parent about the bad hand writing and criminal treatment. My child is not up to par academically nor treated respectfully here. Students here are treated like criminals.Last year in my child's class, after the teacher clapped out a rhythm to get the students attention, the students would then place their hands on their head. I thought this was very odd! Teachers throw around phrases like, 'I'm disappointed with you' or ' You're not being a good citizen' for minor errors any child would make. Most of the staff needs a time out themselves or anger management. If you have an issue you're always referred to the dean, who is very unhelpful and will recite the family handbook to you, is sure to tell you want the school expects of you and never takes responsibility or mentions how they can accommodate your concerns. Closed Door Policy Here!
--Submitted by a parent

My son has attended this charter since kindergarten and my dissatisfaction with the school has only grown over the span of his enrollment. He, a gifted student, has been placed on in-school suspension for minor infractions, isolated and left to sit in a room with a non- teaching staff member to do hours of math sheets. Recently, he went without lunch for the day. He spilled his lunch tray and was made to clean it up instead of getting more food. He did not eat between 7:30am and 5:00pm. I am outraged and disgusted with what occurs at HLCS. I ve witnessed teachers shouting at handling students inappropriately. Recently, my son expressed that he wanted to miss class because the teacher shouts. The administration uses reflecting listening to pretend they care, but do nothing. Both Principals are also on the board of trustees Can we say conflict of interest? Look Elsewhere Please!
--Submitted by a parent

i have found teachers excellent attentive to my child as an individual, showing personal concern form her emotional and intellectual growth principals have been responsive to my concerns
--Submitted by a parent

I totally disagree with these two parents. My child is in k and she is reading above her grade first grade and almost second grade. Everything that my daughter is doing is above average. The school is family oriented to me. I have no problems. Harlem link informs parents when their child is not doing well maybe you as the parent was not doing anything about the situation, like helping the child at home and reinforcing what was taught in class. The problem with certain parents is that they want to leave all of the responsibility to the teachers and the parents themselves don't want to dedicatate any of their time to helping their own child. If my daughter took the g&t test right now she would score very high.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with the first review. My child attended this school and it is not family oriented. I removed my child and he succeeded in another environment. He is exceling now and his self esteem is so high!
--Submitted by a parent

The school is not family orientated, the children are behind in their lesson once they transfer to other school. I would not recommend this school
--Submitted by a parent