When my son first started at this school, he knew some words, most of his alphabet concretely, could write his name legibly and knew how to count from 1-20. Within the first month, he showed significant academic growth, expanding his vocabulary, using segmentation to sound out words independently, using bouncing finger and the pictures to figure out the content of books, could do addition problems 90 % of the time without writing out tally's, could count to 50 and his handwriting improve greatly. In one month I too learned how to use segmentation by Ms. Shukla, was provided a card of tools to strengthen his reading ability, I learned about math stories which essentially uses a child's natural imagination to depict mathematical problems, I learned how songs are used to address real concrete concepts like economics and creative writing, I too learned that this school is in its own category and how lucky I am to have my son attend. The Teachers all know my son by name, they give him nurturing and academic tools to help him reach college. They believe, boast, advocate for partnerships with the parents and I take every opportunity I can to cultivate said partnership.
My son was lucky to get a seat since his sister was chose off a waitlist for the middle school. I live in East NY and paid for Catholic School just so that my daughter wouldn't go to an East NY public school which present poor or mediocre literacy and math scores. So when Apollo Middle called it was a Godsend, but everyday I take my son to Apollo Elementary I wish my daughter could've had the same experience sooner.
Thank you Achievement First for coming to my neighborhood, to Ms. Shukla and Ms. Walker for taking care of my Hunter and for Apollo Elementary for being awesome.