44 E #12
PHA, NY 10003

I chose this school for my child because of its reputation. Because of Covid, we had to rely mainly on online reviews for schools we were considering and I must say that some reviews of PS41 gave me pause but I chalked them up to disgruntled parents. It turns out that our experience was much like some of the negative reviews here, save the parent coordinator, who has been replaced by Thom Lee, an absolute gem who goes above and beyond. This school is very regimented and does not feel warm. The kindergarten curriculum is what the DOE first grade curriculum used to be, focusing mainly on academics, with some specialty classes like art and dance squeezed in between periods in a disjointed way. Mid-Fall, at an informal gathering with my child's teacher, when asked how the school year was going, she mentioned that the boys were "still very physical" as if their energy would suddenly dissipate because the school year was now underway. (They are going to want to run and play for years to come!) There was a lot of "sit down," "sit still, "1, 2, 3 eyes on me," extrinsic rewards like a "prize box" and stickers, and teacher-as-God energy. My child would have a good day when there was a sticker and feel down when the next day the target behavior didn't earn a sticker. Our kindergarten teacher called another child's mom to report that her daughter was "taking too long in the bathroom," and "picking the nail polish off her nails," (the day after Halloween) and recommended an evaluation from a neuropsych: Feedback about my child, and feedback about other children in the class which parents openly shared, was painfully negative and centered around whether they were "paying attention," and "listening," and was obsessively about reading and reading only - in kindergarten. There is not play-based, art-based learning nor is the whole child and his/her wonderful personal characteristics taken into account. This felt like an institution that whips children into shape prematurely and out of step with their developmental timeline. They might leave here with a strong rote memorization of facts and appetite for extrinsic rewards, but perhaps at the risk of their sense of self, confidence, executive function and ability to think for themselves. If your child thrives in structure, likes to memorize and might like teacher-led learning, this could be good for you. I would not recommend PS 41. Many independent schools offer wonderful financial aid - see what you can do!

did not have a good experience here.

Im a current 8th grader. I'm going to be honest I'm to extroverted and popular to be bullied, I know, max, 2 kids who have been in my full 3 years, but I'm sure it happens. I mean kids get beat up, I know one or two that have, and some of my school mates legitimately scare me. Also the school got closed briefly (as in we couldn't leave school for a while) because some kid brought a knife or got stabbed or something- whatever it was someone got in or was around with a knife, and I do think a student could definitely get in a stab someone or worse if they were crazy enough, but no one has. Some kids have been in some insane fights though. Also kids vape but it's nothing like LaGuardia's drug scene, its pretty mild. It's very easy to not get into any drama, just have good friends and stay out of it.But..., if your kid is disabled, and it's really noticeable, then don't go here. Some of the kids are terrible, as middle school kids be, and are ableist as all heck. I mean like they think dumb=autistic. Their are truly stupid and I feel great saying that, I really hate them. They don't get told to not do it, at least not enough, and they pretend to be "autistic" or whatever stupid stereotype they come up with, like some South Park Timmy type stuff. Also some of them are racist but if your kid is a POC they'll be fine I think, its really the teachers who they're racist to. But if your kid is- not in a mean way but be truthful with yourself- overly sensitive, then don't go here. Kids are mean, we all know this. I've been a straight A student, never dropped below it, but 8th grade has been harder- I HATE biology, every kid in my house (not house as in home obviously) does. I hate a lot of teachers, but this is mostly in an I" hate school and your mean". But I don't hate all teachers, I absolutely ADORE a few of them so I really do think its them not me sometimes. The academics are fine, I have nothing to compare it will but its not bad, some kids care, some don't, like any school.I'm having an absolute blast to be honest, not because of the school but because of my amazing friends.