407 W 39th St #2b
New York, NY 10018

It is refreshing to see reviews on this school that uphold the truth of it all. I was a student throughout my middle school years back in 2013 or 2014 and it was my greatest mistake. To this day, I am now an adult and I look back and realize the extent of psychological trauma I endured and hope that no other children aspiring to be artists go anywhere near those front doors.The auditioning process creates the illusion of a fine education with promise that it will train you into something great. However, from my recollection it was nothing special. Unless you already have outside training and you're succeeding this school will do nothing for you. Teachers often pick favorites who are already exceptionally gifted and neglect those that need extra pushing. I went from feeling as if I had earned my spot to feeling outcasted and unsure how to improve. Being a CHILD asking for help was difficult for me especially when told to 'just work harder' or set aside. They treated us as adults, making sure to give us that realistic view of the industry with little remorse.Besides picking favorites there is a strong clique and bullying problem that is pushed aside. My peers at the time talked of each other through apps, created social media accounts to talk about others, neglected classmates in a similar and harsher manner than the teachers. It was harsh. Not every teacher was horrific but it was enough to cause severe self-esteem and mental issues with myself and several other peers at the time. My mother had issues with staff that I'm unsure of since I had my own that no child should have to endure in a learning environment. This facility fails to realize that they are meant to uplift their attendees and not simply gain more prestigious alumni, which often felt like the overall goal.I consider myself lucky to have left before highschool began which I'm sure would in no way have prepared me for my current college academics. I lost all drive for the arts from my experience which was only restored from my normal public highschool experience filled with pep rallies and a theatre program that actually tried to make it feel like family. Every school will have problems whether it is the academics, C - graded school lunch (I found mold on more than one occasion at the time which I would hop), teachers, or other students. This was an overwhelmingly negative experience with little to no highlights that resulted in my coming of age years to be nothing more than traumatic.

My daughter has been attending this school for 2 years now. It is a great school with great music and art programs. My daughter had to have a safety transfer from a previous school so it has been a huge blessing not getting called weekly that something has happened to my child. The afterschool program is AMAZING as well! They have so many cool clubs to keep the kids entertained and involved like fashion and girl code. This is my daughter's last year of Elementary school so it will be bitter sweet for her to transition over to middle school. If you are looking for a great school for your child look no further.