St Nicholas-Tolentine

By far one of the worst public schools in queens, NYC. The kids grade their own homework or the teachers have their classmates grade each other’s homework. Teachers give easy tests, very weak education, poor preparation for state white exams, teachers give answers sometimes during tests, and kids experience racism. On top of all that, diversity in this school is terrible.

Terrible school dont send your kids there

As someone who worked in this charter school, I think many parents assume a charter school is automatically better because of the name. The reality is often much more complicated.Many students in the lower grades arrive unable to read, count, or grasp basic concepts. Some are still learning English and aren’t being taught in their native language. Imagine trying to learn math when you don’t fully understand the language your teacher is speaking.At the same time, teacher turnover is incredibly high. There were days when I felt like I wasn’t doing enough for my students and wanted to quit. Many teachers are overwhelmed, burned out, and simply trying to make it through the year.People don’t always realize that many charter schools hire teachers who are not yet fully certified. For some, it’s a stepping stone to gain experience before moving on to districts that offer better pay, better benefits, and more stability.The issue isn’t the students they deserve every opportunity to succeed. The issue is that the challenges are often much greater than parents realize, and the “charter” label alone doesn’t guarantee a better education.