We are so grateful to have found The Neighborhood School, as our family has benefited tremendously from the collective wisdom of the adults there. We have two children at TNS: my daughter is in 5th grade and my son in 1st. My children have had committed teachers who have created rich, challenging and engaging curricula. Given the singularity of the DOE's focus--test, test, test--this commitment on the part of the teachers and leadership at TNS is particularly admirable.
The social studies curriculum is the focus of learning each year, and has totally engaged our kids and impressed us. The literacy curriculum at TNS is rich and involves reading and discussing novels, poems, and non-fiction. The math curriculum has shifted to align with Common Core and the teachers are working hard to make it make it their own. It's working. The "special" teachers in science, Spanish, and gym, and our librarian and phenomenal art teachers also deserve special mention for their all-round excellence. (Last week I went to a midtown gallery opening where student work was hung alongside the work of Valerie, the beloved longtime artist-in-residence. The kids were so proud!)
Despite the scaffolding that has gone up around the building spirits are high. We have a dynamic and very capable principal in Dyanthe, who came to us from the Earth School and is engaged, organized, and by a great support for teachers and parents.