Junior High School 226 Virgil I Grisson

A blue ribbon school is born from the hard work of the village, including the neighboring community of the school. When there is no community, as it does take the village, climbing the mountain to success is near impossible. For whatever reason, most middle school parents do not comprehend that their presence in the school and their strong involvement is a necessary component in reaching the acme of success for their child and for the school. This will NEVER come to be when there are four or five parents at a PTA meeting or when their is an emergency meeting about another school colocating in our building and less than 40 parents of more than 1300 are present. Parents take back your school and make it a real community school where lifelong learners are molded. I am in my 47th year of teaching, 22 at MS 226Q and I have established relationships with students and parents far beyond the school house doors. My students are now attorneys, Doctors, teachers who work with me now and I also have a former student who is now a pilot. We can do this parents. Francine Davis
—Submitted by a teacher

MS 226 is not a great school at all. They have kids drinking and smoking in the school and nothing is being done. I am the parent of a 6th grader also and he is very well raised!!!!!! The teachers give up on students and don't want to teach them. My son gets homework like twice a week and is being taught things that a 4th grader will be learning. Sometimes it will be 8:30 am and crowds of kids are hanging out in front of the school. The schools hides the bad things that happens so that the board of Ed won't find out. Parents that raise there kids right and with respect should have there kids attend a school that is SAFE!!!!! Some people think this school is good that is funny because this school has a failing grade and is not safe!!!! So please stop the nonsense in trying to back this school up.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a child in elementary school, middle school and high school. I am also a teacher in Brooklyn. It is extremely difficult holding down a full time job and being a single parent. My child is a 6th grade students and is doing very well in MS226. Her teacher is extremely helpful, personable and is always their in supporting me with my child's education. I find today that most parents do not take responsibility for their childs education. It is not totally the schools responsibility. Parents need to support the teacher. Parents are the first teachers, and without the proper guidance and support from HOME it will be very difficult for any child to succeed. So parents start taking responsibilty for your child and support the teachers who are their caring for your precious little ones for 7 hours a day. Remember you have 1 to 5 children, the teachers have 30!
—Submitted by a parent

During the week of Monday January 21, 2013 to Friday January 25, 2013, various students who graduated from MS. 226 last year returned to tell our stories of our high school experience and how it was like to attend school at MS. 226 last year. We visited both seventh and eight grade classes & discussed with them our experiences in high school so far. All of us had been students in the Advanced Regents Placement classes (ARP)at MS 226. We shared why it was so great to be in an advanced eighth grade class because you get to the take your regents examination early and earn credits even before entering high school. We are all currently enrolled in awsome high schools. The students were receptive to our advice and liked having us there as guides as we were just in their shoes a year ago and could relate to how school is for them now! We also explained how great of a leap Ms. White has granted to us, and how they should work hard in ALL classes. All of us were glad to be back in our old school once more and were ecstatic that we were able to answer questions about our high school experience so far . We love MS 226 and visit often to assist in the school's library.

I am a teacher at MS226 for the past 10 years. MS226 is up to date with the new educational policies. MS226 is up to date with preparing our curriculum to align with the new common core standards. The majority of the teachers here at 226 work extremely hard in their classrooms and have a great raport with students. Sincerely, a dedicated teacher of 226, Ms. Pisano
—Submitted by a teacher

I am a mother of an 11 yr old. My daughter complain to me all the time about this school,this is her first year there and she already wants to transfer. I asked her why, she said she doesn't like the teachers and the students there are annoying.She has Mrs White as her 6 grade teacher and my child say she says things to student that a teacher shouldn't say. ever other day she talk about transferring. So I am looking into it now.I know this school is a failing school a "D" grade it shouldn't be a problem of transferring her. I did some research on no child left behind.
—Submitted by a parent

This school still needs a lot of work. The staff sometimes discipline the good kids for minor infractions (like not wearing their uniforms) to scare off or set an example to the bad kids to show that the school is enforcing a no tolerance policy, while the real bad kids are making a mockery of the entire school with violent bullying and uncontrollable mayhem. The Principal and some staff members have great intention for the school, but lacks total support from the entire school to bring about drastic and immediate changes or improvements.
—Submitted by a parent

I am 40 years old now and I believe it was Mr. Baxter that was either the Principle or Assist. Principle. He was caring and down to earth. Always concerned for everyone. Unfortunately I had horrible memories of the kids in that school. Many bullies. Female ones that picked on random people. I hope this is changed. I remember one girl that really traumatized most of the girls in that school. She was oversized I guess from getting left back all of the time. She was known as COCO. Horrible person that she was. I hope she changed. Anyway, good to see some changes there! Good Luck with ALL.

My daughter graduated with a 97% average and will start High School in September. This school have made a great comeback thanks to the new Principal Mrs White. The wonderful teachers played an important role in my child accomplishments, we love MS 226. My daughter had a wonderful time at 226. She will always fondly remember 226 and she will miss the school very much.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from MS226 in 2009, the school is the ideal school for all communities. Though the school was New York State's most dangerous school two years running, it's a home for all the kids that go there. Most of my friend and I that attended that school came from broken families and struggling communities, but this school provided hope for us. In high school, I find myself and my fellow 226 alumni far more intelligent and mature than other minors. The school is dangerous, but it teaches your kids how to handle themselves in the real world. Providing exposure to explicit realities, 226 will mold your child into a more mature adolescent. The that I had teachers here *Atangi, Miller, Foster, Davis, Turner, and the late Imafidon* were just examples of the great mentors this school provides. They gave you hope and motivation to yearn to be prosperous, unlike others whom fail you for missing homework although your test scores are excellent. This school worked with kids and their at home problems; teachers showed compassion and loyalty to their students. Maybe this school is dangerous, but your child will learn more here than anywhere else in their life.

This school is getting better and better,of lately i could see more and more progress,my son is graduating this term and moving on to high school,his average is always 88% per cent and up ,thanks to the very good teachers and the new leadership of a great headmistress
—Submitted by a parent

I went to school here about 16 years ago and now I am trying to move so that my daughter does not go to this school. My time at this school was the hardest time of my education. There were gangs at the school and I was almost jumped on more than one occassion. I cannot speak to the education because everyday was an obstacle and I lost focus. I started cutting school (which was not difficult) and thank God I was able to get myself back on the right track. Although it's true if you want an education and follow the right crowd, you will do well but it is extremely difficult to do so if you are worried about your general safety. I don't know what the current situation is now but I don't want my daughter there.
—Submitted by a parent

i am now a senior in JHS 226 and will be going on to high school next year. My experience in 226 has been great! Yes, some kids do act up in school more than they should, but there are teacher and deans who take care of that matter. Since I was in ARP for all three years, Iwas able to be taught by many amazing teacher and i maintained a high 90 above average. This place is like my second home and everyone - even the kids- make me fel welcome. Words of advice, pay attention in class and if your having trouble, there are several after school programs offerd here. Plus if your into sports, music, dance or drama, there are programs for that too..my teacher even taught dance.
—Submitted by a student

Hi. i am a senior at 226,and i must say that this school is the best.
—Submitted by a student

this is an amazing school
—Submitted by a student

M.s.226 is not such a bad school if you go and do what you gotta do not paying attention to some students you will get good grades i graduated from 226 and know i am heading out for high school. The teachers there make sure what you do what you have to do and the deans keep the place in check the assistant priciples talk about collage and theres many programs that help students
—Submitted by a student

My daughter went to MS226 for 2 years. I became worried in January, because her behavior had changed. She has always been in the 'A' class, and in the Arp classes in 226. She is one of those students that always need a little push, and my husband and I always check her homework. She stopped handing in work,and several teachers contacted me at home.I felt this year she had an excellent bank of teachers, because they watched and steered her back. She was inducted into The National Junior Honor Society, and she went from failing two classes, to getting 5 90's, and the lowest grade was an 85. It is not, I repeat, not the school, it is the students going to the school, that gives the school its rating. Hats off to the ARP teachers for 7th grade in MS226!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is not as bad as what many are saying it to be. My son will be graduating soon from this school and has maintained an over 90 average throughout his years at this middle school. Parents as a whole has a very important part to share in a child academic and general well-being, and if a child properly trained it would reflect in the child's general attitude to thier surroundings, peers, teachers and those in authority. Parents - step up! do your part admist of the busy lifestyle of nyc and your efforts would not be in vain. Proud mom!
—Submitted by a parent

I am now a ninth grader but i really liked this school. When i first entered i was scared but then i saw i wasn't that bad as people said. I really miss allof my teachers, especially ms.Davis
—Submitted by a student

this is a great school. Im now a seventh grader and I feel that the teachers, and staff are helpful in all areas. SOME student may act up once in a while but over all its a good school. (:
—Submitted by a student