Reviews of Sephardic Academy of Manhattan (Kindergarten)

Marci Melzer

SAM is a warm and loving school. Children are given the tools to succeed.

Dina Nouhian

My children have been going to this school for the past four years now - it is absolutely incredible! The teachers are caring and attentive to each and every child. Their method of teaching through love and creativity really works. I could never have imagined the things my children retain and are able to do at such a young age - this is like no other school I have ever seen or experienced. The educational director is warm and love and is absolutely brilliant! The way they handle each situation with such attention and care is inspiring. I could not have asked for a better school for my kids. They learn so much every single day and it is taught through love and understanding. They are taught to have a voice and to use it nicely. My children have gained so much character from the atmosphere at this school - they learn understanding, empathy, feelings I certainly didn't know about at that age. I am so grateful for this institution.

Shirley Bornstein

Words can’t describe how amazing SAM has been to my son. He is entering his second year of school, 3’s, and the experience has been nothing short of extraordinary. From the top down the school exemplifies the upmost professionalism, warmth and care. The director truly cares for every child and it shows through her involvement day in and day out. Her vision and dedication is contagious and is shared by the entire staff. I am so proud to be part of such an exceptional organization that gives it their all.

Norman Shabot

My granddaughter is "Graduating" fro this school today and our family cannot give the school too much praise. She has learned to read, write and do things that are expected of children two and three years older. The program in both English and Hebrew/Religious studies are of the highest level. My grandson is also currently enrolled in the school and the results look to be at the same pace as his older sister. This is a young school but has all of the qualities of a school that has been in business for many years. Looking forward to great things and growth from this spectacular program

Gotham View

I had a terrible experience with this school. This school destroyed my child. Took me 2 years to get him back to the happy child he was before I sent him to this school. I don't need to be a psychologist to notice that teachers had preferences and my child was not their favorite: crossed arms, frowns and constant sighs. They do not know how to deal with kids who have strong personalities and label a majority of the kids with some sort of problem (have been asking other mothers in the school and strange enough all said they were told their child needed help some something see OT, PT, speech etc). Once I kept my child home for a WHOLE WEEK just to test them. Usually this school calls a child with the class to wish the kid a quick recovery ... they NEVER CALLED. I had to explain to a little child who was waiting for this call, why they didn't call. That is just to prove my point but there were so many more red flags. Report from the preschool he was attending before this one, where he was going p/t: "the days he is not in class we all miss him, his smile is contagious". Report from his current school: "... is a kind student whose smile brightens our classroom community...". This school NEVER gave me a positive report, only always complaints. Clearly this school was able to bring out the worst rather than the best. That's the difference between good and bad teachers because in any other school he thrived. I will never forget nor forgive this school for the distress they caused to my child. Took me 2 years to get him back to the happy child he was before starting this school. Thank Gd my child seems to have removed the existence of this school and if by disgrace we pass by it he used to call it "the bad school". This was my experience. I have nothing to lose nor gain by lying. I will never send my second child to this place. You live and learn but I suffered a lot for this mistake. Words can't describe what I went through because of them. Once we left the school in the middle of the year nobody ever bothered to follow up to ask what went wrong. Ps: 2 of the positive reviews are from members of the school board. As expected.

Daniela Niditch

There is no place I would rather watch my children grow than at Sephardic Academy of Manhattan. As a teacher myself, I am super critical of the education that my children receive. I have never seen an institution create a more integrated and creative learning environment. The most important part of any education to me is the social emotional piece and at Sephardic Academy it is above and beyond the most caring, loving and warm environment. The teachers are incredible and it is all thanks to the most wonderful Director of the school who doesn't miss a beat and knows the needs of every child in the school. Watching how happy my children are could be enough, but listening to what they learn every single day just puts it over the top. I am so grateful to have this incredible school!

David L

I am a father and my child didn't have it nowhere nearly as bad as the other reviewer but once the year was over we decided to switch schools because some things just felt a bit iffy to me.