Brooklyn Secondary School For Collaborative Studie

610 Henry Street

School District

New York City Geographic District #15
Grade

6-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:10
Type

public

School Map for New York City Geographic District #15

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 06, 2023

My son is currently in 6th grade at BCS and we could not be happier. I never thought my kid would look forward to school after many years struggling in elementary school to complete assignments and participate in class (we finally got him diagnosed with ADHD during the remote learning phase of covid), but it's a different world now. The teachers at BCS seem happy and really engaged with their students, and Scill (the principal), Imani (AP), and the administrative staff are communicative, caring, and available to both students and parents. The 6th grade teacher team sends out a detailed email to parents each week with a rundown of what the kids are studying, when they have quizzes and assignments due, and what the homework expectations are (homework is very light so far, which I love--most of the BCS work gets done in class). Each child is assigned to a "crew" at the beginning of 6th grade that they stay with the whole way through BCS, and they have a crew period every day where they can touch base with their crew leaders and friends and have some downtime (sometimes they play games in crew, sometimes they use the period to do homework, but either way it's a nice break in the academic day). My biggest worry with middle school was whether my child would have social-emotional support and feel good at/about school, and BCS has exceeded my expectations on that front. If you are looking for a diverse, inclusive, supportive community where kids' well-being is nurtured and the academics are strong but not rigorous or stressful, BCS is a fantastic choice.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2018

We had an opportunity to move to an "elite" specialized HS and chose to stay where we were. Enough said.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2013

My child is a Junior at BCS and I have a daughter entering 6th grade at BCS next year. My children can not imagine attending any where else. My son has struggled with a learning disability, this school fit his style of learning and gave him all the resources he needed to become an honor roll student. Now that my daughter will be entering this school with the same disabilities I am absolutely sure she will achieve as much as her big brother. The school community is great and never lacks in events. I love this school so much that I only tolerate the cost of living in this city, to continue having my children attend this school and it's sister elementary.
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2012

Please parents what ever you do, do not send your kids to this school it is one of the worse school in Brooklyn. The kids are out of control the teachers and administration has no control or do not care .My son was enrolled in middle school last year and from the first day he was picked on, as time goes on he was called names bulled and stabbed, through out this time the teachers nor administration did nothing after the stabbing which was four months of being in the school I pulled him out.
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2011

My son is in 8th grade here. I liked the school for the first 2 years. Great teachers, small class sizes, extra attention. But I have to say they are falling apart this year in regards to the High School application process. We didn't get our high school directories until well into the second week of 8th grade, while every other middle school I know of received them at the end of 7th grade. We didn't even get the 7th grade report cards until the end of summer! The Guidance Counselor (who is supposed to help you greatly through this process) is a joke. She rarely answers emails, and doesn't seem informed at all about high school choices in the city. I feel as if they want your child to stay on and attend their high school. It' a shame really because I really did like this school a lot up until this year. I didn't want to leave on a bad note.
Submitted by parent on December 19, 2010

We have a child at BNS and are very happy with her teacher for the first time since she started there 3 years ago. everyone at the school seems to share the same progressive ideas about politics and education but for some faculty administration and parents its all talk whereas some people at the school work tirelessly to fulfill those ideals. Not sure if we had to pick again if we would make the same choice. Despite the progressive views espoused by many of the parent to my eye it seems like a disproportionate # of the students have behavioral issues. And because there is a certain self contentedness among teachers,admin and parents it is unlikely that things will improve.
Submitted by teacher on October 10, 2010

This school is all about helping the students. Faculty are actively engaged and connected with each student to ensure that each student is academically prepared for college and exit exams. A wonderful learning environment where everyone knows everyone.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2010

I have a student there and this is my unbias well verse(,have two other college aged children) opinion. Principal and Vice Principal Leadership 2 Teacher Quality 3 Extracurricular activities 1 Parent Involvement 2 Safety 4 Discipline 2 The principal & vice are unapproachable mostly in demeanor but I've been told they don't have time to talk. They smile big but are difficult to engage in a two convo. There is no line between the irritated and curt way they speak to some students and the dismissive way they talk to parents. They cut short good ideas with old and easy. No appreciation for suggestions that can improve the program and no allowing the none fratenized parents the room to make things better. So much for collaborative education. My child began there as a A student with the lack of honors or extracrdt that student is now average. If your child is doing well lookelsewhere
Submitted by student on December 09, 2007

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