M363 The Neighborhood School

"Both my children attended this school and loved it. My daughter is currently in 11th grade at Bard High School Early College and my son is in 5th grade at the Neighborhood School. They both got a great education and learned about social and economic justice issues, caring about the community around them and how to get along and be friends with people from different backgrounds. I would recommend this school to anyone who wants to send their child to a progressive school."

"We are so grateful to have found The Neighborhood School, as our family has benefited tremendously from the collective wisdom of the adults there. We have two children at TNS: my daughter is in 5th grade and my son in 1st. My children have had committed teachers who have created rich, challenging and engaging curricula. Given the singularity of the DOE's focus--test, test, test--this commitment on the part of the teachers and leadership at TNS is particularly admirable. The social studies curriculum is the focus of learning each year, and has totally engaged our kids and impressed us. The literacy curriculum at TNS is rich and involves reading and discussing novels, poems, and non-fiction. The math curriculum has shifted to align with Common Core and the teachers are working hard to make it make it their own. It's working. The "special" teachers in science, Spanish, and gym, and our librarian and phenomenal art teachers also deserve special mention for their all-round excellence. (Last week I went to a midtown gallery opening where student work was hung alongside the work of Valerie, the beloved longtime artist-in-residence. The kids were so proud!) Despite the scaffolding that has gone up around the building spirits are high. We have a dynamic and very capable principal in Dyanthe, who came to us from the Earth School and is engaged, organized, and by a great support for teachers and parents."

"Our daughter is a current 5th grader and has had a good experience overall at The Neighborhood School. We were happy to find this progressive school. The kids learn to turn history and experiences inside out, analyze and argue. We feel she is ready to tackle middle school next year with confidence. Her teachers and administrators have been caring and supportive to her and our whole family."

"I am a parent of a current TNS student and a graduate, and I highly recommend The Neighborhood School to families looking for a progressive, caring and academically challenging school. The teachers are amazing - every teacher my kids have had was smart, dedicated, caring, organized and really came to know my kids very well. The staff and the new principal are terrific. The culture and community of families at TNS is something very special - it is a very friendly, supportive and eclectic group of people that all care about helping to make the school a great place for our kids. Our experience has been overwhelmingly positive."

"A terrible school, don't really know where to start.......some of teachers are actually very good, but with 27/28 pupil per class there's very little they can do. the office staff is great, the rest - included the Barbie doll principal - is just a joke, I can't wait for my daughter to finish this year MAny other parents are moving their kids out of there......."