Research Our World Neighborhood Charter School charter Schools in Manhattan, New York

“I am a student at the middle school in OWN. The teachers are very nice(most of the time), but I'm extremely bored. I get 4s on my standardized tests and 100s on tests in school. I finish all my work long before the bell rings. Another thing: they punish everybody. They take away the whole grades priveleges, even if its only 5 people misbehaving. They say the students are responsible for other students behavior. I do what I'm supposed to do and do my work. I do not enjoy getting yelled at. I dont enjoy having silent lunch. I want to get into another school for 7th grade. I hope I make it into that school.”

“I have been sending my children to this school since opening day, September 30, 2002. I have, until this year, been absolutely thrilled with the school. However, I do not like the direction the school is going rgarding testing. When the school was founded, the idea was to put as little emphasis on testing as possible. In this NCLB world, I know some test-stressing was necessary, however, I find that my children are now being taught to the test. A letter was sent home today by the assistant principal stating that test scores will be directly related to promotions. While this is not an issue for my children, the pressure being placed on the state tests is becoming onersous, and I am seriously reconsidering my own commitment to the school.”

“I have 3 children attending OWNCS, my oldest being there from the start in 2002. The school got off to a slow start, starting from scratch, and has progressively moved forward to be a top performing school in the district. The testing is necessary for the school to remain open according to the rules set forth in the original awarding of the charter by SUNY in 2001 and in the 5 year renewal of the charter earlier this year. There is homework every night with teachers encouraging parents to get involved with their children's education. The principal is doing a very good job, always looking for ways to improve the school.”

“My children have been attending OWNCS since it started. I am very pleased with the school in general. The children feel very comfortable and interested in school. There is absolutely no pressure on testing and students are motivated at all times. I particularly like the fact the there is so much cultural diversity (even more than the rest of NYC schools) and the acceptance children get by being 'different'. My children are part of a minority group and receive special education. The principal is excellent.”

“I am completely satisfied with OWN. My daughter started there in first grade and I saw so much improvement in her academics during her first year. The Principle is wonderful as are faculty. I was surprised to read some of the negative reviews and to that I say if you are that disappointed with the school then leave, I have another child on the wait list that I would love to get their seat.”

“The teachers are highly skilled and work hard to bring out the best in each child. The principal is kind and knows each child by name.”

“In kindergarten my daughter scored below the 50th percentile. In second grade she jumped to 82%; reading 99%. Reading was a struggle for her but her first grade teacher was amazing. There is less emphasis on test preparation than other schools. Anyhow, how else can you compare the schools nationally? Without preparation, students score poorly and don't accurately reflect their knowledge. The principal is actively involved with the teachers, students, and PTO. Parents feel welcome in the classroom; teachers are accessible. Unlike other schools OWNCS doesn't keep teachers because they are tenured. Only those up to par return. Teachers are not there for the 'benefits', they love teaching and their enthusiasm show. My daughter loves learning thanks to a student-centered approach; subjects are presented in an interesting manner. The gym, spanish, and music teachers are excellent. OWNCS is doing great on its limited budget and gets better every year.”

“OWNCS is a disappointment. As others have pointed out it is poorly managed and overstresses test preparation. Teachers are not able to give students the skills they need for life learning. I am surprised there isn't a bigger turnover in staff and student composition.”

“I would not recommend sending your children to this school. While I disagree with some other parents, I think the special teachers are the best in the school, along with the kindergarten teachers. while the rest of the school seems to do their own stuff and not focus as much on the students. I also think there is a lack of support through out the school”

“My son has been attending OWN Charter School since they opened their doors. While I feel it is a safe environment and don't want to have my son start over in a new school, the thought has crossed my mind. The school is run very poorly, They give no notice about upcomming events. I agree with the other parent on too much time focusing on test prep instead of just teaching. I also have only liked one teacher my son has had. The others should have picked another profession.”

“This school isnt organized.They only person running the whole school..We luv ms whitney....Lolzzz...Nd ms arnstein...Everything else isnt organized except they organize the whole school..Nd there isnt princi[ple support.”

“I am so satisfied with the kind of education my child is receiving from own charter school. They have great teachers and safety of the children is their priority. Thanks so much and keep up the good work!”

“I have not been overly impressed with the staff at OWNCS. In the 3 years my child has attended, she has had 1 excellent teacher, one very good, and one very poor teacher. The 'special' teachers, such as Spanish and art are not great. The curriculum is very challenging, and while interesting and diverse, can be a bit much for an 'average' child or a child with any learning needs/issues. There is a heavy homework load, even in the lower grades, which some parents like, and others do not. There is heavy focus on state testing, to the point where a great deal of class time is devoted to practice testing, and I feel that they are putting a lot of pressure on the children [my child is only in 2nd grade] and 'teaching to the test', rather than focusing on the basics. I have not been impressed with the principal.”

“Before, my son came to OWN, if he was absent from school, he wouldn't consider calling his friends at school. Since, my son started OWN, which was 3rd Grade, he always calls, his friends to find out what he missed. This wasn't because he had to, it's due to the fact OWN's curriculum engages him, to the extent he wants to know what he missed. When my son was in a local, private, Catholic School, he said school is so boring. I've never heard that from him while being at OWN.”