Ps 20 Anna Silver

A fabulous school. Tremendous staff. I appreciate the support given to children and parents. I am always informed about what is going with my children. I feel like the school works well to create partnerships with parents.

We have two kids at PS20 - 3rd grade and pre-K. Our 3rd grader has been at the school since pre-K. Both are in the Mandarin Dual Language program. We live in Brooklyn and chose PS20 on the Lower East Side because of its approach to learning, its dual language program, and, most importantly, because of how caring and engaged the teachers, staff, and administration is. The school's focus on helping students become global citizens who contribute to their communities is woven throughout everything the kids do. PS20 values and celebrates the incredibly diverse student body, and encourages the leadership of students. Students are supported through the curriculum, the arts, music, technology, science and physical education specialties, and have the opportunity to engage in dance programs, after school language enrichment programs and athletics (in addition to the general after school programs). Students are encouraged to take leadership with the Student Council, Green Team, and other student-led efforts. Families and students are supported with reading intervention programs, mental health services, housing services, healthcare and wellness, and a food pantry with fresh produce and laundry facilities on site at the school. The school has a vibrant Parent Teacher Association and an engaged School Leadership Team where parents are involved and contribute to the direction and priorities of the school.

I am a former student, graduated 2001. The school has definitely had its fair share of bullying of students without help of adult intervention and a lot of discrimination and racism has prevailed among the student body but I think this can be turned around. It will take some time because the education and respect a child learns is from both parents and teachers, a two way relationship. I think the school should pursue hiring of teachers who truly and genuinely care about the education of students and engage the parents in opportunities as well. I admit, in 2001, the separation of those who were able to afford a secure future upon attending this school was wide but now with the amount of resources available, all it takes is a little discipline, perseverance, and cognition to turn the future of many kids who attend this school around.

The Anna Silver School offers all that I ask for for my two precious toddlers. Safe, caring and bilingual learning environment. Since the school year started, my Pre-Kindergartener and 1st Grader have been looking forward to see their teachers and classmates every day. The principal, Ms Sarah Pinto and assistant principle, Ms Carrie, have been nothing short of attentive and enthusiastic. What more can a parent ask for? Perhaps academic excellence perhaps more emphasis on providing student what they need to excel bilingually. However, it takes time, patience and a lot of parental support. I am extremely happy with the school and look forward to my children blossoming as they grow up in PS20M.

the level of professionalism among the staff is awful here. with the exception of a few people i have not had a pleasant experience. Due to the large class sizes,bullying and lack of administration participation i pulled my daughter out and took her to a better school. the principal has zero control of the school and does not know how to interact with the parents.

I should have read the insideschools.org review (“DOWNSIDE: Test scores improving but still too low”) before enrolling my child at this school. I was pleased with the education my child was getting on the lower grades but once my child got into the third grade and took the NYS ELA and Math tests, my child failed. Now my child has to go to summer school and possibly get held over. I expressed my concerns to Mr. Lee earlier in the school year but they were never addressed. He brushed it off and assured me that my child was getting a quality education. I know better than to trust him on his word now. I will be transferring my child to another school next year, not only because of test scores but also because of the large class sizes and the bullying at this school.

I have twins that go here. It is the luck of the draw at this school. In one class, the teacher goes above and beyond and my child is doing well. In the other class, my other child is not learning very much.

ps 20 is a great school, my kids have learn so much, best teacher is mrs joseph 5 grade. she is like a mother to the kids and teaches with love.