Van Wyck Junior High School

2nd year, not very hopeful. Extremely crowded, PTA not useful at all (poor attendance there), academic materials leave much to be desired. Complaints about lackadaisical discipline of bullies goes unheeded, classes are chaotic, students have difficulty moving from one class to another and getting there on time. Good students who do what they are supposed to do are penalized along with the bullies, or their coping difficulties are brushed aside as part of adolescent experience. Agree with the student regarding course content - there are sixth graders from catholic schools who are way ahead of these kids. Not the teachers' fault - it's the district, and lack of space - a problem for many years.
--Submitted by a parent

So, as a student at Van Wyck I would like to say the school overall is good. I'm in honors for the 2009-2010 school year but I felt the program for sixth graders was too slow and easy paced. It would not hurt this school if the sixth grade was moved to an elementary school. This may be a good idea because the hallways are very crowded and the people in them are distracting and make you late to class. The sixth graders also have nothing to do. They have silly classes that are so meaningless that won't be used in real life unless they want to be homeless. The sixth grade chorus wasn't great but the seventh and eighth grade chorus was amazing. Some of the teachers are interesting and helpful but some are boring and just plain mean. There were some people who roamed around school and in the cafeteria who I feel were paid to yell at kids. I am usually never a trouble maker and I was surprised when I learned we could get yelled at fpr talking at lunch! All schools have good things and most have bad, but Van wyck is so even that I can't call it a good school or a bad one. So I guess to sum it up, Van Wyck is simply a school.
--Submitted by a student

I have had 3 children go thru this school. The principal is tough but fair. There is a dress code and lots of rules for the kids to follow which promotes discipline. (Although, sometimes the enforcement of the rules is too black and white with no room in between for the grey areas). Some of the older teachers should retire as they have lost lots of their passion for teaching, but the rest of the 99% are great. They want to help the kids do their best. There are lots of after school clubs and sports programs, and there is always something for your kid to get involved with. All in all a great school.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a student at this school, and to disagree with a lot of the parents and students I find Van Wyck to have a great atmosphere, all the teachers are helpful, and parents... Be a role model for your children, you speak badly of their school, they are going to insult the school and begin losing grades, and get into trouble. Be a positive role model ok.
--Submitted by a student

I was pretty impressed with open house last week. Some of the classes are crowded, but the teachers seem to have an assist in those classes. I love the high-tech board the teachers are using.
--Submitted by a parent

it's dirty. some teachers are just horrible and shouldn't be teaching. children need positivity & teachers to help them & show them that they can do better.
--Submitted by a parent

Teachers and administrators are always in contact with students' parents. Students learn responsability for their school work. What I'm really impressed with is their methode of organization to complete succefully students' school year. I'm very happy with the school and all the staff members. Keep the great job
--Submitted by a parent

students cannot live up to their full potential in a school that has classes of 25 students or more. The hallways are so crowded that the students get to their classes late and are given referrals.
--Submitted by a student

i think Van Wyck Juinor high school is a great school and i love all of the teachers there except for a few.
--Submitted by a student

The athletics are amazing as well as the extra curricular activities like Drama Club {The Wiz was the most amazing school musical I have ever seen}. Everyone is very nice as well as the teachers who definitly teach. Though there is room for improvement, Van Wyck is a very good school.
--Submitted by a student