Ps 811 Mickey Mantle School

We have had a fabulous experience with our daughter at PS 87. She is in third grade now and has loved her teachers every year.In 1st grade she was able to receive some extra supports in reading, and in 2nd grade it was math. She is above grade level in both subjects now.The Afterschool program is also great overall - she's been able to do cooking, chess, computers, engineering, archery and more and comes home from school every day excited about the new activities.The social cohesion has also been a bonus - I have a great relationship with other parents in the class and we regularly schedule playdates and class activities on the weekends. We've had not issues with bullying or other serious issues in the classroom.Highly recommend!

Beit Rabban has been such an incredible place for our family. As artists, we value creativity, curiosity, and a sense of community, and we see those things woven into our daughter’s experience every day. Not only is she learning Hebrew and Jewish tradition, but she's also learning how to ask thoughtful questions, care about the people around her, and approach the world with imagination and confidence. The teachers bring so much warmth and intention to what they do, and it shows in how happy she is to go to school each morning. We feel incredibly lucky to be part of a community that nurtures both the hearts and minds of its students, and we hope to have the opportunity to send our younger son there as well when he is older.

I have been at Calhoun for almost 11 years. The teachers are great. They care a lot about whether the students understand the material rather than just whether they pass. Since Calhoun is so small, the community is very close and care for each other. On the other hand, Calhoun's diversity needs to improve, not only in the student body but also in the curriculum. The athletic program could be improved, especially for girls' sports. Overall, Calhoun's culture encourages students to be involved in numerous extracurriculars and work hard in classes and towards grades.

As a parent, I've always found the teachers and administrators available for any concerns and very tuned in to the students. I've seen fantastic academic growth in both my kids, and I love the way the school allows their students to develop as scholars and human beings. Somehow, Calhoun is a very nurturing place while also meeting a very high intellectual standard. They seem to put a great deal of thought into the "why" and "how" of everything they do. A friendly and relaxed atmosphere has allowed my kids to thrive.This is our family's fourth year at Calhoun. Our two kids entered in ninth grade -- one is currently in 10th grade, one in 12th.We are thrilled with Calhoun and continually marvel that it is such a good fit for our two very different kids. They both love going to school. The other day someone asked my son what adjectives he would use to describe Calhoun and the first word out of his mouth: Exciting. I think the variety of choice both curricularly and extracurricularly has something to do with it. When our 10th grader got his schedule for the year, he exclaimed, "Let's Go!" At Calhoun, the school year is broken into quarters, with five courses in each of the four "mods". His first mod he is taking engineering, algebra, chemistry, Mandarin and a history elective about political dissent and design. Our senior is taking Spanish, Advanced Bio, Calculus, Adolescent Psychology (which is mandatory because she acts as a senior peer leader to incoming ninth graders) and an English course on Family in American Drama. In terms of after-school activities, their athletic department reflects the great vibe of the school. Our son does a different sport every trimester, and enjoys them all. The emphasis is on teamwork, personal growth and commitment rather than excellence or competition. The school also builds time into the school day for clubs to meet so that also allows our busy kids to still enjoy a wide variety of exploration and experience: Model UN, Community Outreach, Debate and even quirky ones started by students like the Cheese Club and Bollywood Club.

I have two kids at Manhattan Country School and am very happy with the school. The teachers are wonderful, the administration is available and responsive, and both of my kids love going to school everyday. I appreciate their commitment to progressive education and values of activism, social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion, and the farm program. I also think the school is unique in that is truly seems to "walk the walk" in regards to these values. The sense of inclusiveness is palpable, and the sliding scale tuition makes for a uniquely diverse community. The school also has a farm in the Catskills where students begin to visit in their 7-8s (2nd grade) year, with visits increasing in frequency and duration each year. At the Farm, kids learn to tend the gardens and animals, cook together, work in the textile workshop, and solidify their sense of being an interdependent community. My kids are truly excited about going to the farm. The school also has an active parent community.