Bushwick Ascend Charter School

751 Knickerbocker Avenue

School District

Bushwick Ascend Charter School
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

charter

School Map for Bushwick Ascend Charter School

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 student on May 21, 2024

Because of a few students they made us walk up and down the stairs five times and they had the audacity to make us sit down and put our chair down with out making a noise while pushing the chair in which does not make any sense because if it was a small group of students doing the wrong thing then why make the whole seventh grade do it but I recommend that you do not apply your self or your child to this school and take note that a student is writing this not an adult so you can get a better experience
Submitted by other on November 17, 2023

This school is horrendous, there’s only 1 good teacher for every 10 horrible teachers, I spent my middle school years here and its awful there, the current principal is senseless and doesn’t care about her students, some teachers here are extremely biased and won’t care about your opinion or what you have to say because they favor their favorites so there’s no justice in this school and only injustice and hypocrisy, I DO NOT recommend sending your child here, many of the children in this school are unmotivated and emotionally and physically drained with all the work the school puts on them, they give the students test that don’t benefit them and just makes the school money and just keeps mentally depriving the students, if you want an ACTUAL education consider your options before choosing this school it’s not a good place and full with two faced people who don’t care about education but only money.
Submitted by teacher on November 12, 2023

Bushwick Ascend Middle School is led by an inexperienced and ineffective principal lacking certification in school leadership or qualification to teach grades 7th and 8th. This leader prioritizes appearing competent over the well-being of students, resulting in the resignation of over twenty teachers. Challenging policies geared against students' social-emotional and academic needs leads to reprimands and potential job loss. The principal's focus on personal advancement rather than student and family care contributes to a deteriorating school environment. The disciplinarian, endorsed by the principal, further compounds issues. The entire network appears questionable, impeding parental access to board meetings and presenting inaccurate data. Urgent intervention from the state to address and potentially close the school is warranted.
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2019

Wonderful! If I had a choice to pick this school for my children all over again, I would do it!
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2019

I will be taking my kid out come June and im waiting that long bc i dont want the transition to affect her mid year.
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2018

Ms Knappen comes across as concerned until you attempt to reach her via phone, which is nearly impossible. She never return calls. Not even to convey that someone else will and can assist you. I’m glad she’s leaving
Submitted by other on February 25, 2018

Very good school in our local area.
Submitted by teacher on September 15, 2016

First and foremost, the school is run by a person with no educational background. That being said teachers are treated like children, they are not allowed to deviate from the completely inappropriate curriculum. When teachers voice concerns, they are in a sense blown off. An instructional dean at this school stated that they do not expect special education students to pass tests so don't focus much attention on them focus on the rest of the students. Teachers are given an additional 2 hours of "homework a week to prepare for meetings that take place during preps. There is zero work life balance working at this school. During the summer leadership calls teachers to tell them about summer work they must do, yet the network doesn't feel the need to pay staff during August until the 31st. This network is all about data and business not the students. Such a shame because if they treated teachers with any respect, the school would be a much better place.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2015

Wow! Totally convinced someone on the administration team is the person behind these June comments. Unless it's a teacher that came into the school with the Director (GHOST) Ms. Washington. Find me 10 teachers that like their job as a teacher at BW and I will personally shake their hands. Now don't get me wrong the teachers at BW love what they do, they love the kids which I'm almost sure that's the reason why most of them are still there. They just hate the people they have to report to. The comments below just show how low they will go to get new scholars to enroll. Shame on you! Parents do yourself a favor DUE YOUR RESEARCH! Your child deserves to enjoy their school. Be their judge. They don't know any better.
Submitted by teacher on June 06, 2015

-Teacher. I recently started woking at this school. I have to say that the reason why I chose this school was because their goals are to educate, equip and get the scholars not only to college but to graduate from college. This is encouraged from Ms. Washington down to the teachers. The scholars are greeted at the door as they enter into the school; greeted as they walk down the stairs into the cafeteria. Ms. Washington comes to continue college bound thoughts to the scholars by way of songs (she has a beautiful voice) and the Bushwick Creed. This creed reminds them that they are somebody, and to have great expectations for themselves. They are encouraged to do their best, their very, very best. I'm glad to be a part of a team that's not just saying that the kids are our future but this team is proving it with action.
Submitted by other on June 01, 2015

-parent. I have been a part of the school community for three years. I can honestly say that students love going to school. The staff are very hands on. The Leaders are visible and approachable and they are on a mission to prepare the kids for college! I have also seen the the School Director in action, she seems energetic as she empower the students to excel and do their best. I highly recommend any parent to consider this school if they are looking to have their child as become a success and achieve their highest potential.
Submitted by teacher on May 31, 2015

This is my third year teaching at Bushwick. Last year the school's student and adult culture was horrible. Students were unhappy and unsafe and staff morale was extremely low. This school year we've lost a few staff members however the student culture has gone up significantly. Students are happy, families are happy and I'm happy. I have the support from administration and trust that the school culture will continue to thrive!
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2015

Bushwick ascend has taken a turn for the better. The new leadership team that are in place now are phenomenal! My scholars have had a hard time with behavior issuses, but this school administration have help me tremendously with addressing and fixing this problem. Now that this new team is in place my kids are more excited about going to school and they are truly learning. I have a direct encounter with my scholars teachers and administration, and the school feels more organized and functions at a level of greatness
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2015

My child has attended this school since he was in 1st grade. I've always had and continue to have positive experiences with my interactions with both teachers and administration. He gets up in the morning very excited to go to school and comes home eager to learn more. I'm a very involved parent and I make sure that my scholar gets the best education available around. Bushwick Ascend provides that for him. To be honest though, I almost pulled him out last year because of all the changes, but I'm glad that the school is back on track. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much to all the teachers, staff and leaders who, I'm positive, work hard to make my son's educational career very positive. It's not very easy to get him engaged, but you all do it with ease!
Submitted by principal on May 30, 2015

I would rate my experience at the school very highly. Every time I visit I come away quite impressed with the progress the school is making.
Submitted by teacher on May 27, 2015

This is my first year working at Bushwick Ascend Charter School under the leadership of Ms. Washington who is also in her first year of being the school Director. Although the work is demanding (as with any other jobs) I have had many learning moments and positive experiences working at BW. BW provides Professional Development and teachers receive coaching to help enhance and become better at their craft. I’ve developed positive relationships with my scholars’ parents- parents are allowed to come in and observe (a parent came into my class and observed her scholar hard at work). Parents get to accompany their scholar on field trips and be a part of the field experience. In regards to the leadership, Ms. Washington makes it a point to motivate, push and encourage not only the scholars but the teachers and leaders to always give a 100% and do their best. The scholars respect her both in and out of the classrooms. She leads by example. -Submitted by a Teacher
Submitted by teacher on April 08, 2015

I am one of those 20 plus teachers who left this year. The reviews on here more than accurately describe this school. As a teacher, the last thing you want to do is leave your students in the middle of the year. But, I couldn t stay and watch the horrible way in which the students were treated and teach a curriculum which was totally not connected to our students needs. The administration is very inexperienced- Ms. Washington, the Principal, has no degree in Education and little to none classroom experience. The special education administration, along with many of the deans, are shockingly under-qualified as well. Disorganization, Disrespect and pure ignorance in regards to child development- that is what plagues this school. I speak for many of the past and current teachers when I say this- do not apply to teach here and please please please do not send your child here.
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2014

This school's leadership is so unorganized and unprofessional. They speak to us as if our opinions do not matter. Additionally, so many teachers have quit already this year and it is not even November! The most troubling thing for me is that students with IEP's are not getting their mandated services due to lack in staffing. I would love to be more involved, but it seems that as parents, we are kept in the dark about the things going on in the school. Leadership is not forthcoming, open, or honest. Rather, they are deceiving and often times even disrespectful. I have even witnessed a member of leadership show disrespect to a teacher, which might explain why the teachers look so exhausted, drained, and frustrated. I don't blame them! My child only has 20 minutes to eat, and 15 minutes of recess even though the school day is extended compared to the public schools. There is supposed to be an open-door policy, and yet I have heard of parents being turned away when they have shown up. I sent my child to this school because I thought it was a better alternative to the public school next door, but I am coming to the conclusion that they may not be the case. What a shame.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2014

Great teachers who care, but they all leave!! Poor leadership too. My kid is never allowed to go to the bathroom or talk during the day. It's like a prison.
Submitted by parent on July 21, 2013

This school is an awful school. Many parents think the public schools are bad so they look to charter schools. This school is not focused on the right things. Kids come LAST. This school is a deception!