Ella Baker School

My child’s experience at the current school has been extremely distressing. The administration was unresponsive and incompetent, creating anxiety every time I dropped him off. Teachers failed to provide adequate support or guidance. Academically, my child went from being in the G&T program to requiring special support. Overall, this was a harmful and unsafe educational environment that significantly impacted his wellbeing and learning.

I am grateful for Ella Baker's creative and cooperative approach to learning and the generosity and perceptiveness of its teachers. Also the ample active outdoor time and the many field trips that mine all the city has to offer! My kindergartner has absolutely thrived in his first year at this wonderful school. He looks forward to going to school - that, to me, says it all.

Love love love this school! So many amazing teachers. The school is diverse, inclusive, and has created a very nurturing environment for learning. My kids have never had any issues. Like many parents here, I am excited that the school goes pre-k-8! Being here has allowed my family to finally feel like we are able to settle into our life here in NYC.

Warm, nurturing school with a focus on student centered, hands on learning. Students have the same teacher for two years in a row and grades are combined, ex. 3rd and 4th grade together. A small gem of a school that is that rare school that is truly diverse, you will notice a happy feeling here, difference is celebrated as is creativity. My child has loved this school for years, always has a great day. If you are focused on test scores this is not the school for you. The school needs to improve math and science instruction and is working on doing this now.

Safety is great. Most teachers are open and friendly. Principal and assistant principal need to be more tolerant to views that are different than theirs. One teacher should know that she can not go to teach with her pants falling down like a teenager (bad example for children). Extra curricular activities are acceptable. Bad sides: the academic curriculum is too light and childish. Lessons are not challenging at all. Lots of times, homeworks are assigned, while teachers did not really explore the subject. Too much play. The school needs to be serious. The school seems to prepare the kids to fail socially and academically. a) Socially: because staff urges children's to call them by their first names, whereas in the real world, one has to refer to your superior by "Mr." or "Ms". 2) Academically: the school is anti textbook, anti testing. In the real world, one has to use textbooks and be tested for almost everything.
The teaching of science is a disaster. This subject is being taught by teachers not versed in this subject. They only teach what ever aspect of science that they feel comfortable in, while they ignore the curriculum to be taught.

Moreover, the English instructors teach no grammar (maybe they do not grammar themselves). Geography is completely ignored. Social studies are not taught properly, not even American history.

The state has not yet closed this school for failure because the parents are excellent. They assign extra work to their children to cover the school's weaknesses. Most parents are educated working class who can't afford to pay private institutions but want the best for their children. Hence, they have placed their kids at Ella Baker to avoid the zone schools' violence (because Ella Baker is very safe). However, these brave parents have to endure the school inefficiency...some of them have cried as they became aware of staff's incompetence. Therefore, Ella baker's ranking with 4 stars do not reflect the school academic standing. It is a testimony of poor but educated parents' efforts to enhance their kids' education.

The Ella Baker School is damaging children for life. They are creating underachievers. No text books, No quizes, No studying outside of school necessary, projects only done in school they say its so they no its the childs work. This is a complete farce. A parent would look an essay or report over and tell the child what they need to expand on what they should do better or just straight out do this mess over its unacceptable. Oh but not at this school parents never see these reports you find out about it at parent teacher conference. Then when you see it your horrified and ask why did you accept this? The child should have done more research or there are words spelled incorrectly. Ugly just ugly.