I.S. 61 William A Morris

I now have 2 children attending I.S. 61.I was not zoned for this school I had my children apply after I investigated and compared I.S. 61 to the other schools available to them. I was impressed with the independent curriculum, the academies variety and consistency throughout each course.The eChalk access to homework and messaging between teacher, student and parent is a wonderful communication tool. I am pleased with some teachers but a few of course could use a reality check and a blowtorch under their b*$@.But I always have caring, personal, and genuine communications with most of the faculty, especially their Vice Principal. As for the student's environment and society, a child can fall prey to a negative element even in the most luxurious of institutions.We as parents need to remember our child's behavior and decision making ability falls on us. How they behave away from us and whom they choose to mingle with is taught at home. As for homework, projects and exams, each course has extensive at home and independent work, we as parents need to be aware of their online assignments and keep track of project deadlines.Our children's education and independent growth are in good hands
—Submitted by a parent

My sons started IS61 this year and we have had a great experience. We have heard of some situations but nothing causing physical injury. The teachers administer discipline. They allow parents to monitor the classes. We feel welcome when visiting the school. The PTA appears a little lacking. I believe there could be more involvement. My sons are doing quite well and are in honors classes. I believe the public school education they are receiving is excellent. The amount of homework a student brings home isn't an indication of the level of eduction they are receiving.
—Submitted by a parent

The terrible school... We transferred to IS61 from Catholic School 4 mns ago, it was big mistake. The differences between Catholic school my son attended & this school are: - much lower level of education. There is almost not homework at IS61. The light exception only math. - very low culture of IS61 students. Take a look how they behave during the breaks. It's like zoooo... The IS61 management does not keep discipline there. Your child will not study good things from this surrounding; - we had larcenies there. somebody stole his back pack before Christmas. There are 2 surveillance cameras there but their resolution is too low, impossible to distinguish something. - only one good thing at IS61: free music lessons. We didn't have it at Cath. Sch. IS61 makes concerts for parents. It's great to see your kid playing music on the scene. Thank you IS61 for that. I think the rating 4 is too high for this school. Only because music lessons it deserves 2.5. Sorry for the critic, I tried to be objective .
—Submitted by a parent

I am a sixth grader here at I.S61 and i just love it here. There are so many extra curricular activities like the leaders club in which I am in. All my teachers (Mrs. Marabello, Mrs. Contrastano, Mrs. Legakis, Mrs. Simeone, Mr. Herron & Ms DeCaro) are nice and always put humor in every lesson. I am in journalism and photo journalism because we alternate every day. This helps me experience more. I'm glad that I will be here for the next 3 years because I know it's going to be amzaing with the great techers, staff, classmates, and my friends

I feel I.S 61 is a great school because they really have a lot programs and opportunities for the students. My child is in a special Ed class but since she has been here, her knowledge, attention span, her endurance, and scores are increasing. The faculty including all teachers, principals,secreatries, and everyone are very helpful and you can tell they care for these students safety, and care about these kids obtaining proper education. They treat them like if they were one of their own. I went to this school so did my siblings, my parents etc... I had the best time of my life and also learned so much in middle school. So I would definitely choose William A Morris Intermediate School. Keep up the good work! Thank you!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter loves this school. She has grown a bigger passion for dance and drama.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a 2010 graudate and i agree i am also upset to leave. Throughout my 3 yrs at 61 i have learned so much from all my teachers. But i have learned the most by far from ms. guanieri's 8th grade math class. I will never forget her or any of my teachers for that matter.i wish the best of luck to the 2010 graduates and all the graduates and freahman to come! -Krystal
—Submitted by a student

I am a parent of a recent graduate and also have anthor child in this school . The staff has been very helpful to my family throughout these years . I am very happy with I.S.61
—Submitted by a parent

The teaching staff goes above and beyond to help these kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a 2009 graduate here at 61 and Im so upset to leave. This school has brought me the best memories of my life and friends I never want to lose. The teachers here are amazing (Mrs.Arbus-I never stopped laughing during her class. It was too much fun.(She's an 8th grade english teacher and a 7th grade creative writing teacher)) and the A.P's (Mr.LaMorte) are the best . Over the past 3 years I have never once doubted why i came to this school and never once stopped laughing. I love 61 with all my heart and best of luck to all of the 2009 graduates in High School! ~Christine
—Submitted by a student

this school i great the school amazing things to do!
—Submitted by a student

I am a sixth grader here at I.S.61! I absolutly love this school!! I am a drama major here an i love it! I'm really glad I still have two more years here because I really don't want to leave and when I do graduate I'm definatly coming back to visit! If you're thinking about sending your child to this school definatly do that! They will love it here! There are so many things to choose from like drama, dance, journalism, art, band, strings, chorus and much much much more!!Definatly come here!!!!
—Submitted by a student

This school is a wonderful school!!!! my children and i love is 61 and i think the teachers and the staff are great!! they work very hard with the children academically by giving them every opportunity to pull high grades. They send home letters informing us of the progress and they really care about the children. I had the opportunity to meet alot of the teachers and the children last year and again this year while helping out with this years school play 'the wiz' and they were respectful, helpful and energetic and lets not forget extremely talented people!! they were excited and they performed perfectly!! is 61 rocks!! i am soooo happy my children attend this school!! keep up the great work!! i would also like to add that i had an older child who attended another i.S. School and i feel that is 61 totally tops it!! :)))
—Submitted by a parent

I am am eighth grader at 61, and this school is amazing! Alot of the graduating class(including myself) have been accepted into really great highschool Programs, like Curtis IB/SIS, LaGuardia, Wagner Scholars and more. This school has amazing after school programs like Life Designs led my the always helpful, Mr. Feurstein, over the last 3 years he has been more then a teacher to me and my friends, he became a friend to us. Same for my A.P and Dean Mr. LaMorte and Mr. Luisi. I will miss this school forever and longer. It gave me some of my greatest memories and friends, im so sad to leave and I appreciate every thing that the staff has done fo rme and my fellow graduates, good luck to all students in 61 now and for the years to come.
—Submitted by a student

Seems to be a good school thus far. Mr.Emery and Mr.Kittleson are extremely involved and dedicated to making this a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

My child will graduate from this school in June and I wanted everyone to know that it has been a fantastic experience. The teachers are wonderful and so is the office staff. I was a little nervous because of the size of the school but we have not had one negative thing we could say about the 3 years. I know alot of the 8th graders are going on to private schools with scholarships and also alot were accepted to specialized schools. If you have any reservations I would say do not believe every thing you read (in the newspaper)) and give this school a chance. As we all know only the bad news makes the papers, maybe someone should ask the advance to do an article on all the positive things that go on
—Submitted by a parent

This school is amazing. All of the teachers help as much as they can whenever possible. I myself as a Drama major/Honor Student have learned so much from Ms. Mcnally, Miss Zee and all of my other teachers. Mr. LaMorte is always such a great assistant principle; if you need anything just ask him and he will deal with it. This school is the best school I have ever went to. As a seventh grader myself i reccomend this school to students who want to strive for bigger and better things: 'Power, Prestige, and Money' -The Wiz '09 -
—Submitted by a student

I'm asixth grade student here and I'm majoring in journalism. If you have a problem in the school, any teacher, dean, vice principal, or guidence counselor can help sort it out. If you don't want your child to go there, think again. There are so many magnet choices to choose from. There's dance, journalism, art, drama, band, strings, chorus, and more. Journalism is what I major in. I love journalism so much now that I want to get a degree in journalism and become a television reporter broadcasting the news on ABC, just like Diane Sawyer. I love IS 61! If I were to rate IS 61 on a scale of 1 to 10. I pick 999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999 billion! Go 61!
—Submitted by a student

This school, my daughter has been going to she likes and is enjoying. When I need a problem resolved such as she needed a bus pass it was resolved within an hour. The teachers respond when you need them. Some of the teachers have websites where the homeworks can be found. The faculty is very nice and understanding and they know the children- even the security guards pretty much know the students by names which is a pleasure. There are people within the school for the children to speak to if they need and they help out a lot.
—Submitted by a parent

I used to go to this school. I am in 9th grade now and live in Mississippi. I got accepted in to IS 61 when I was in 6th grade. It os a wonderfull school and the teachers a great! I love you Mrs. Kropp and Mrs. Mcnally! You guys taught me so much!
—Submitted by a student