ps 124?

Does anyone here have direct experience with ps 124 (silas b. utcher on 4th avenue)?  This is the school that we are zoned for (we own), but it is almost never discussed.  There have been a lot of changes within this zone in recent years, new condos and so forth.  I look around a see a lot of new kids in the neighborhood, but no one seems to be going there that I’ve talked to so far.  So rather than rumor or heresay, does anyone have direct experience with this school?

suedeshoes

in Schools 11 years and 11 months ago

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nalusurf | 11 years and 11 months ago

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We were at 124 for Pre-K about 6 years ago.  We had a wonderful experience there and my son had a terrific teacher and a great year.  That said, we, and several other families in that same class relocated to PS 10 the following year (just prior to the craziness of trying to get in there).  We simply felt that although intentions were good at 124 and there was a lot of talk about progressing, moving forward and improving things, such as the PTA, we just felt that we would not see those benefits during our time there if we stayed.  It was kind of a “no-brainer” to take PS 10 over 124 at that point in time.  Now, a lot can happen in 6 years, such as significant, positive changes as well as the recent rezoning which has made other established schools nearly impossible to get into.  I would contact the school, visiti it, as suggested above, and try to talk to other parents.  The teachers seemed very dedicated, but the PTA when we were there was not very involved and I have found that the more involved PTA you have at a school the better off the school will be.  Good luck!

widthom | 11 years and 11 months ago

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I’m in the same boat.  Trying to educate _myself_ about the process and get some concrete details about 124 rather than speculation.  Watch for Open House, etc.  They do have a website.  There is also a Yahoo board for perspective parents found here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PS124-BK-ProspectiveParents/   Good luck.

Boerumresident | 11 years and 11 months ago

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Also, just call up the school and ask to take an informal tour before the school year is out, especially to look at the grades you are considering.  If it’s pre-K, the school appears to have only one classroom of pre-K but three classes for K (which is common in NYC as pre-K is not mandatory and is supplemented by private pre-K’s that take rather meager state funds to offset a little bit of tuition), so take a look at both.

Putnamdenizen | 11 years and 11 months ago

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I imagine you have checked out insideschools.org which is the go to resource for initial queries like this.  A quick review of the information there suggests that PS 124 may be like some other decent, but not stellar, schools which parents like yourself are trying to improve.  Demographic changes are often most evident in lower grades, in part because that’s when new kids enter (obviously), but may also reflect that some families have bailed to other schools.