Green Woods CS

I agree with the parent who reported a lack of respect towards students. The atmosphere at the school includes a great deal of yelling and students are encouraged to behave competitively rather than cooperatively. My daughter started 1st grade this year and came home crying for the first three months of school. Science is supposed to be a major priority at the school, but it seems that the students spend most of their time on worksheets - not on hands on activities. My daughter is learning a lot, I just wish that it was not at the expense of her self worth and her love of learning that are both decreasing in that environment daily. I want to see the school improve and I want to be a part of that process so we are sticking it out, but so far I am very disappointed.
—Submitted by a parent

The success of Green Woods is evidenced by the more than 800 families, to date, that have applied to be a part of our incredible learning community. It is unfortunate that we have so few seats available to meet this demand, but hope to expand our program in the years to come allowing us to serve additional students and families. We are pleased to report that construction is underway of our new, 60,000 square foot school building, which will include a 3-acre outdoor learning lab where our students will explore and discover nature by being in nature. Green Woods' students consistently exceed the state average on PSSA scores with 96% of 4th grade students scoring proficient/advanced in Math and Science. Thanks to an incredible team of teachers, we were named a "Top City School" by Philadelphia Magazine and educators from throughout the country have looked to Green Woods as a model for replication. We look forward to building our school and our future in our Northwest community and serving additional students in the years to come. Please visit our newly-designed website to learn more about our school, the EIC Model program, and our dedicated teachers, students, and parents.
—Submitted by a teacher

As a current parent, I am sorry to say that I cannot give above 4 stars, and in some areas GWCS merits 3 stars. The curriculum is highly varied and rigorous, and the long-range plans set out by the CEO and Board of Directors are ambitious and well-thought-out. The students are repeatedly asked to show respect and responsibility for one another and their teachers. However, the lack of respect towards the students by the teachers is disappointing. The structure of the classrooms is extremely strict. I have witnessed multiple occasion in which teachers yell at students, or order them to do things without a "please" or "thank you". Respect needs to happens at all levels. If GWCS wishes to hold itself up as a model for education and learning, it should make the environment conducive to this by expecting respectful treatment of all members of the school, down to the smallest. In talking to other GWCS parents, I have heard this same complaint. I am not a disgruntled parent--just a concerned one. Children learn how to treat one another from the adults around them. GWCS has an opportunity to be a "trailblazer" for true respect and consideration; it has not done this in my opinion.
—Submitted by a parent

Urban does not define a race, it means to live in a city or town, and the city of Philadelphia includes people of all ethnic backgrounds. Roxborough is not a predominantly African-American area of the city, it is diverse like Green Woods Charter School.
—Submitted by a parent

Green Woods is awesome. We're growing as a school and a community. Green Woods makes learning fun and imaginitive. The school uses the environment as a focus for learning. We LOVE Green Woods!
—Submitted by a parent

Green Woods is the best school in Philadelphia. The teachers are innovative and approachable. The students have high academic standards and also lead balanced lives. We have a dynamic PTA that encourages a strong sense of community and parental involvement. As active, involved parents, our voices are truly heard at Green Woods. Green Woods is the best scholastic value in the city...no crazy, over-priced catchment zones to worry about and no financial aid applications are needed...just good old fashioned parental sweat equity.
—Submitted by a parent

First I will say that I am really happy with Green Woods. My daughter comes home telling me that school is "awesome". She is getting a great foundation for later years and she is also experiencing a love of learning and a love of school at an early age, which is priceless. This is a public school, and no, it's not the "same" as a $18k/yr private school, but personally, I feel much more engaged as a parent (than a previous private school) and love the focus on environmental science, which is really important to me and to our future. I am completely shocked by the allegations about the lottery system and the demographic break-down of the school. This is absolutely not the forum for parents whose children did NOT get INTO the school to complain about the school erroneously, driving down its ratings. The lottery system is absolutely what it claims to be. The population is actually very much representative of its location, demographically, and is a wonderful urban school in a fantastic environment. The staff and administration treat everyone with respect, integrity, kindness, no matter what the situation. These negative reviews are clearly based on bitterness and disappointment.
—Submitted by a parent

The last poster seems hellbent on besmirching the reputation of this school; I even have my doubts that their child ever actually attended. I for one did no favors for the school or them for me, and my child got in the way that every other one does...luck of the draw. If this person believes they have a genuine issue, then this is not the forum for it; go submit a formal complaint to the review board. If your child did actually attend the school and was 'isolated', I'm sure it may have had something to do with having a paranoid parent at home that projected fears onto her kid and sent them into school with them every day. Look inside...it's not 1950 in the Deep South...it's Roxborough 2011.

How could a school be nearly 100% white in an urban setting that is predominantly African American ? My son spent time at this school and never had one friend there. He felt excluded and isolated by staff and peers. Thank God he is out of there!! And that lottery is a joke ! Parents BEWARE !! This school enrolls student based on nothing but favors and nepotism.........
—Submitted by a parent

Racially Biased? Thats a pathetic comment coming from someone that has 0 idea what they are talking about.. Could there be more diversity? Absolutely, but the lottery is done fairly and race has nothing to do with the lottery of the selection of students. I hate the Race Card.
—Submitted by a parent

so much hands on learning and great environment !!! the school is located in the WOODS :)
—Submitted by a parent

GWCS is a place where a kid can really sail, the curriculum is such that a student has clear directives yet is encouraged to explore and problem solve on his / her own
—Submitted by a parent

Greenwoods makes learning fun, great staff and academically solid.
—Submitted by a parent

I love all the teachers!! Education and the talent the children have!
—Submitted by a parent

Happy about GWCS because my granddaughter is as excited about going to school each day as if she were going to day camp!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are great ! The nature center is just such a great place to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

Any time you can give a child who lives in the middle of a huge city such as Philly a chance to learn and grow in the middle of 314 acres of beautiful woods and forest everybody wins!!!!! our teachers rock, our kids rock and our location rocks!
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers, staff, and parents give so much of themselves each and every day to make this school run so smoothly and effectively to give the children a great start to life! I feel so good knowing my girls are taken care of!
—Submitted by a parent

Not only does Greenwoods offer an excellent academic curriculum for my children but they are also introduced to nature & conservation. I am very excited that they have the oppurtunity to attend Greenwoods and would highly recommend it to anyone. Their staff is also very qualified and helpful.
—Submitted by a parent

As a volunteer, I see what a caring and nuturing environment Green Woods is for children. Everyone willingly pitches in to help. It is an amazing place for children to learn!