615 W 113th St #53
New York, NY 10025

The lack of socio-emotional support for problems with children in his class have not been actively addressed by the school and have progressed to the point that my child has fears about attending class and cannot productively engage with work. He does not feel safe and supported in his class by their peers. Children in my child's class often do not include him, and speak badly about him with each other within earshot. The teachers in his first grade, second grade, and third grade classes have been consistently absent and unable to appropriately engage the class in positive discussions around supporting each other. Instead, substitutes are rotated in the class, and there is no consistency throughout the school year. My child does not have a positive and supportive mentor in the school. There is no consistency with teachers.The guidance counselor has changed every year. The school psychologist is not at all involved in the school.The social worker does not engage with parents and has also changed every year.The school leadership victimizes other children without thinking about the needs of my child. The lack of support for my child from the school principal, Ms. Castellano, is apparent. She often uses phrases like "my teachers" and "my students" in front of my child, without including him in the class and the school. This is hurtful as a student--to not feel included in the school community by the principal. As a parent, I was highly involved in the school with absolutely no gratitude or respect reciprocated. The leadership at this school is terrible, and has been consistently challenging throughout my time there as a parent and as an involved volunteer.

Only been at this school for a couple months but I’m already disappointed and questioning our decision to apply. From overpromising on supports available to kids with IEP to lack of communication regarding lack of resources to support “scholars” to the inability to read a basic IEP… I’m not happy. Seems that every child with an IEP was tossed into an ICT class - even when the child’s placement is supposed to be GenEn. Again, no communication from the school on this decision. Jury is still out of the effectiveness of the teachers. They seem mostly young and inexperienced.

My daughter graduated 2 years ago from TWYLS. She is exceling in college, on the deans list for 2 years. The experinece and opportunity she received at TWYLS is an enormous factor in her college life. Thank you TWYLS!!!