P.S. 175 the Lynn Gross Discovery School

I see the overall star rating is rather high for this school. But, nobody takes the time to write good things about this school. Now, I do have to say that a particular teacher in that school, Ms. Mandis, should be banned from teaching children not only in this school but in any environment. She could probably only teach girls how to play tea party with "pizazz". What a witch... However, my experience with other teachers has been a great one -- you just have to work with them. Caring and involved. While the communication throughout the school could be GREATLY improved, they are willing to work with you. Seems that the teachers were told to follow some sort of a policy not to communicate through e-mail. The teachers are either afraid that they may have to respond to too many e-mails (come on...), or there are some weird liability issues. Other then that, the school is pretty good.
--Submitted by a parent

So, my child has been here for a whole academic year. I will be pulling my child out the subsequent year. I can't stand the teachers, the staff, the class schedule, the lack of physical activity, communication, everything! I am sure there are a few good teachers here, but they are few and far between. Interaction with the office staff is HORRENDOUS! I hear the staff screaming at the kids ALL the time. My child is regressing in behavior. Though I pay for "hot lunch", the cafeteria routinely runs out of "hot" food. My child ends up eating the repulsive "cheese sandwich" which invariably causes a tummy upset and therefore, having to stay home the following day. I'm done with this place. Maybe your child will be able to handle this place better, and you will get a good teacher. But for me it's a definite Good Bye, Nice to know ya!
--Submitted by a parent

My child is attending for the second year at this school and we still are not satisfy and don't understand the "good rating " it has. Starting from the principal to teachers, staffs and PA, haven't seen any improvement or good changes. PA don't provide any help and ask for help all the time to parents but will accept and call you for whenever they need you or don't have anyone their own group available. They should look up into what they actually do...the BOX TOP money collected from the clips collected from students, it hasn't change since last year, I go into the BOX TOP web to check after they have collected the clips from all the classes but no change. I offer my self to help and they say they would let me know and until now, they haven't call me so I can help them with the BOX TOP. EVERYTHING IS DONE BY WHO EVER IS IN THEIR GROUP ONLY and don't like to see no one do a better job than them, if so, they will little by little keep you out and won't keep you updated with emails or texts on what's being done. They are suppose to help us and informed us. I'm so dissatisfied with this school. Stop given good ratings and start looking in a little more on what the really do.
--Submitted by a parent

Can't wait to get out of this school! Very bad parents teacher communication. The teachers are always "too busy" because they have "too many kids" in their class. They don't know how to handle them and they are lazy. Never would they take an extra few minutes and go over some material. That actually would be much more effective and better for the kids, instead of letting them sit in the auditorium watching movies everyday. They can't take care of social problems and situations properly either. The teachers are just not good in this school!
--Submitted by a parent

This is an AWFUL school. There was a near riot on the first day during dropoff and pickup. Teachers were shouting at parents and parents were screaming back. I was shoved into a wall by another parent. The principal is surly and very defensive. And the kids watch cartoons on a daily basis... If you can, avoid this school at all costs. Don't let the high rating fool you...
--Submitted by a parent

This is Not a great school! I totally agree with a person, who wrote before me. My child comes to school at 7:30 (3rd grade) and then doesn't get a break to eat until 1pm. And this is when they get 5 minutes for snack. Which is not a lot of time anyway. They can't just swallow it. Lunch is around 2pm for 15 min. My child is Hungry all day. How do we expect kids to perform well in class and on the tests if they are hungry?! They do sit and watch movies in auditorium. Why? Better give more and longer breaks between classes, so kids don't stay hungry and tired. Communication is a problem in a lot of cases. Some teachers are hard to reach, they just don't answer back to you, unless you start pushing the buttons. They say they are too busy all the time. Don't waste your time on assistant principle, she will smile at you, but will not help you much. Go straight to the principle if you have a problem.
--Submitted by a parent

they should be more often to share the class curricula. The school's communications back to parents is hap-hazard, ad-hoc and often none existent.
--Submitted by a parent

It's a great school, the principal, though is not very nice, is very efficient and runs the school wonderfully!! Kids feel at home, my daughter loves it!
--Submitted by a parent

My two children attend this school . If I paid $10,000 a year for private school, they would not have received a better education. The principal is tough and no-nonsense which is how a principal should be. My children have learned so much from their teachers and have developed into wonderful people. I am going to be very sad when both children graduate! They are in a safe and caring environment every single day.
--Submitted by a parent

My Daugther Sabrina is in Ms.Oliver's class and she is very happy and she already reading and writing,she goes to After School program and she enjoys all the classes. I love Ms. Oliver she is very nice teacher!!
--Submitted by a parent