P.S. 174 William Sidney Mount

My daughter is in kindergarten. The most important thing is that she likes school and seems always happy going there in the morning. Her class is small, they have 13 or 14 students, which is good, not to mention that they have one lead teacher, one assistant and 2 or 3 paras, which is great. I think for me, personally is very difficult to say if she has the best teacher, but in general I like P.S 174 very much. It is very active school. I receive lots of emails on daily basis. I feel I'm getting information about all the activities and couple of times I sent an email to a parent coordinator and her response was very quick and productive. Overall I'm happy with this school. Hopefully I'll be even happier next year when she goes to 1st grade.
—Submitted by a parent

i was a student here about five years ago - and had to leave because I was being bullied. My parents took the issue to the principal (the same one who is still there), who did nothing!!! they only got action when they went to the superintendent. Also my 4th grade teach taught us absolutely nothing. When I transferred to another school, I really had to catch up!

My daughter is about to finish the 1st grade. She is in the gifted and talented program. Since she still has 4 grades to go before hitting JHS this review could of course change but so far almost everything is positive. During the past year I did have some concerns involving another student and the principle was very responsive. With thousands of students every school is going to have its share of problems, but it s how these problems are handled that makes a school good. The principle doesn t hide in her office, I normally see her in the halls interacting with the teachers and students. The assistant principle is very lively and friendly. My daughter s Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers have been excellent. The teachers that my daughter has had so far really seem to care about their students. There are nice programs and trips that the class goes on and parent participation is always encouraged. Last week the class just had a writing celebration and talent show in which parents and relatives were invited. During this show the children were able to express themselves through writing and art. The bottom line is that my daughter is HAPPY and she is LEARNING.
—Submitted by a parent

We feel very fortunate to have the opportunity for our daughters to attend this wonderful school. The oldest is in 4th grade gifted and talented, and the youngest is in 1st grade. Both have had ample experiences to perform before the school (singing, dancing, and musical theater), and there are diverse after school programs which have enriched them immensely. The principal is always there, supporting the children in all their endeavors, and she knows them all by name and personality. My girls can't wait to go to school each day. We are very happy here!
—Submitted by a parent

PS174 is the best school ever. My daughter is in gifted and talented and she loves it! The staff is wonderful. The lunches are nutriciuos annd the programs are excellent. My daughter is in 4th grade and has been in this school since kindergarten. My other daughter is in 1st grade and she loves it too. The principle is very nice. My daughters adore their teachers and assistant principle. My oldest daughter in 4th grade is very sad to be leaving in 5th. We all LOVE it!
—Submitted by a parent

This is the best school that there can be. Best principal, teachers, you name it.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son stayed from 1 to 3 grades in the gifted class which might be OK, but the school staffs and classes are bad in general. They are still teaching 2nd grade stuff to the 3rd graders. They never had good lunch and the lunch coordinators always yield at the kids. The teachers (even the gifted class teachers) and the principle are not responsive at all. They just ignore you and your kids. It is a horrible school in Forest Hills area. Now we moved out and he is so happy with his current school.
—Submitted by a parent

Lazy principal, lazy teachers. Boring. Filthy classrooms. Pre-K was total waste of time for my child
—Submitted by a parent

The Principle is very lazy and is not working hard to cater the needs of kids.This school has no after school program ,no morning program ,no extra enrichment. Enrichment class does not mean art and craft work. My son is in 2nd grade now and will be going to 3rd grade .Till now , my experience with the teacher was excellent only in kindergarten .Ms Greenbaun class. I am not happy with his 1st and 2nd grade class.Hoping the gets a better teacher in 3rd grade.PA needs to arrange some free after school programs. Morining program that PS 201 has is wonderful.....Hope we get a better principle
—Submitted by a parent

My son started Kindergarten this year and entered PS 174 for the 1st time. He was fortunate to score Ms. Greenbaum who is an outstanding teacher... while she is strict, she is extremely loving as well. My son adores her as do I. He has made tremendous strides while with her. I haven't had much interaction with the principle.... Mr. Cortez is fabulous as well, my son had learned a lot about PC's while learning Spanish! I think the school needs to work harder to get parents involved in PTA activites.. I think the same people are involved in PTA activities bc they dont do a good job making the newbies feel like part of the team!
—Submitted by a parent

One needs to understand the diversity of the school in order to better interpret the test scores - compared to any other FH school the school serves a much higher % of ELL and Spec ed students which reflects on the test results - as such the reported #s are misleading - one needs to look at Gen Ed as well as non-ELL to understand the data - overall the test scores are very good - better than local private schools, ahead of and / or on par with PS 144 and 139 - and close to PS 101 when you adjust for the above factors -
—Submitted by a parent

A very mixed bag - some really terrific teachers, but a lazy principal who simply doesn't deal with important issues.
—Submitted by a parent

The administration is VERY supportive of the Gifted and Talented and general students, and the PA is extremely active. The parents here ROCK!
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers and administration really care about the children and try very hard to get the parents involved.
—Submitted by a parent

It's my kids' favorite. My 2 kids go to that school..
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers and Healthy Environment
—Submitted by a parent

P.S. 174 have great teachers and a caring support staff that provide a nurturing environment for the children.
—Submitted by a parent

I rate PS 174 highly because the staff, teachers and even the principal keeps the parents updated on upcoming events and/or issue in regards to the school. The teachers are very good. They encourage the kids to better themselves. I am so happy how well my son is doing.
—Submitted by a parent

great school, great teachers
—Submitted by a parent

I love P.S. 174, because it was a great school for my children. I have two that went there and one that just started Pre-K. My children excelled because of what they learned there!!!!! The teachers are excellent but parents need to be involved!
—Submitted by a parent