57 1st Ave #4E
New York, NY 10003

My daughter has attended this school for 5 years, and I couldn't be happier with my choice in elementary school. The teachers are amazing, and very dedicated to the students. They do not teach for state tests instead they prepare the students for critical thinking. There are no text books, which I like since they create their own curriculum and are not limited to teach according to one textbook. In Math and ELA, students are broken out in groups based on their ability across the grades, but have specific focus to help them grow and develop. The classes have two teachers and then one or two assistant teachers. They are available to answer questions. And ClassDojo (a facebook for schools) is a great tool for teachers, parents, and staff to stay connected. Teachers post videos with new math concepts to help parents understand (!!!!). The staff is amazingly supportive. Ms. Cameron (p) and Ms. Friedman (vp') are always there to greet parents and guide students through the day. Ms. Alice (the parent coordinator) is heart of the school! It is a small school, but builds a great community and support for parents, students, teachers and staff.

I have been teaching at Tompkins Square Middle School (TSMS) since 2010, and my three children all attended this school from 2016-2021. In fact, many of my colleagues have enrolled their own children at TSMS. When school staff members want their own children to attend their school, it speaks volumes about the community and rigor.As a parent, I developed a newfound appreciation for my colleagues’ dedication to both their students and their content area. When my children needed extra help, it was available during lunch, advisory, and after school. Teachers have high expectations for classwork, tests, and homework, but they are also reasonable when it comes to due dates and generous with opportunities to retake quizzes and or make up assignments. My children’s teachers were truly focused on helping students to build foundational skills and master content, even as they covered ambitious curricula. When I had concerns, teachers were available to talk and demonstrated a deep understanding of my children’s learning styles and social-emotional well-being. My children say that their TSMS teachers, guidance counselor, and administrators knew them well and cared about them. As middle schoolers, my children were very engaged in their TSMS classes. They especially loved their Math and Science classes and still talk about the innovative projects (building a classroom planetarium!), Science Fair, museum field trips, fieldwork in Tompkins Square Park, and BioBus visits. In their Humanities classes, they read voraciously and became very proficient at different types of academic writing. The rich arts program at TSMS was another huge draw for my children; all students take classes in Music, Theatre, Visual Art, and Dance. When one of my daughters wanted to apply to the performing arts high schools, her art teacher guided her through the process and helped her create a strong visual art portfolio. Every quarter, TSMS invites families to a “Community Celebration” which showcases the creative work taking place at school. In 8th grade, my children received a lot of attention and support with the high school process from their guidance counselor, advisor, and 8th grade ELA teachers. They prepared for the SHSAT in a free afterschool prep class, and we attended the helpful family workshops that the guidance counselor hosted. After graduating from TSMS, they were definitely ready for the rigorous NYC high schools they attended.

I have felt comfortable every time I've visited. I've never been refused an answer to any questions I have. I also get updates from my son's advisor.