Ms 51 William Alexander

350 5th Avenue

School District

New York City Geographic District #15
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
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 October 12, 2024

My son is in 6th grade here and we have been very happy with the school so far. The academics are strong, and Principal Chan and his admin work very hard for the kids. The location is a huge plus, as the kids have access to the park next door. I was skeptical after all the transitions MS 51 has been through in recent years, but would recommend it to kids and families looking for a bigger school environment.
Submitted by other on May 04, 2024

Great people to work with the teacher are amazing
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2024

This is a very disappointing school for our parents! I'm always worried about my kids getting bullied at school! The way the school director handled the problem was so perfunctory! I will not let my other children choose this school again!
Submitted by parent on November 03, 2023

My child went here for two years. The end of her second year she was bullied, threatened, attempted assaulted. It continued into the beginning of her third and last year. The school did absolutely nothing about it. The school doesn't care. They don't properly report incidents that happen in the DOE oors system, so they can maintain the schools reputation. They don't want people to know what's really going on in there. They will protect the attacker all the time. Staff was removed from the school for not properly doing their job per the chancellor regulations. They won't notify you of any incidents either. Their lack of communication period is bad. There is absolutely none. The principal Mr Chan puts on a fake smile to draw you in and he's part of the problem. Things definitely gets swept under the rug here. They have a motive and only want certain students in that school because they test high. They make the school look great. Teaching wise, the school is great. They offer a lot because they have to please certain students. So your child can take advantage of that. But SAFETY wise the school is horrible and your child can get seriously hurt. I removed my child her final year, because they wouldn't protect her and just let her attacker continue to harass her. I wasn't taking a chance of her attacker ( a male student) bringing another weapon to school to attack my child.
Submitted by student on November 23, 2022

I love the school very fun and we have out to lunch, we have a phone pouch that does not open unlit the end of the day with a special magnet, you can not open it to use your phone for lunch
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2022

I can't even begin to express what a nightmare my son's first few weeks at M.S. 51 have been. Honestly, it's infuriating. Despite my strong feelings about charter schools, I removed him from MS 51 to attend one which, as it turns out, has been a godsend.
Submitted by student on October 17, 2022

Currently In 8th writing this and this school isn’t all that. The way this school is trying to hold on to that little chunk of its former self. This place is an absolute NIGHTMARE.
Submitted by student on August 19, 2022

At the moment, I go to this school. I’m currently in 7th grade. And my experience there is pretty great. All of the teachers that I’ve met are nice, helpful, etc. Some teachers make lessons fun by adding games that relate to the subject, lets us do fun projects, and loads of other stuff. The workload isn’t that much. Although, there is a problem with homework. All the teachers give us homework, yes, but most of the teachers don’t check if we got stuff right or wrong. They just check to see if we did it. So most students just write random stuff on the sheet of paper and declare that finishing homework. I do hope they change that though. As it really doesn’t teach the students much. The students at the school mostly behave. Although there are some that don’t. Though, most of the students that misbehave are 8th graders. The 8th graders that I had to go to school with mostly misbehaved, broke rules, do things they aren’t suppose to do, etc. They often like to disrupt classes by pulling the fire alarm more than once. But then again, I’ve only been there for one year right now. (I’m going to start 7th grade in September.) And there are new 8th graders every year, so yeah.M.S 51 has loads of different clubs, events, etc. The school holds an election every year for the school president and school vice president. They also have class mayors and class vice mayors. Basically, each class has a mayor and vice mayor. (This school has home rooms.) Students are able to choose if they want to run for class mayor or class vice mayor. While the students that don’t want to run, they instead choose who becomes their class mayor and vice mayor. Same thing for school president and vice president. Talking about the clubs and events now. This school has A LOT of clubs. The clubs are all different from each other. There is a club in particular called “GLAM.” This club is basically for people in the LGBTQ+ community, allies, or people who want to learn more about the community. They mostly hold all the events. They hold events like dance for the members in the club, cookie decorating, karaoke, etc. In this school, there are classes called “Talent/Studio.” There are 6 subjects in which you choose to take for your Talent/Studio class. The subjects are Fine Arts, Photography, Drama, Dance, Vocal, and Band. You choose one in 6th grade. I personally don’t like it. It’s just…not my cup of tea.I don’t have much space to write more, so I’ll stop. Hope you like this school!Bye Bye!
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2022

MS51 is surviving on its former reputation of being a great school, but things have changed drastically over the past 3 years. 50% of the teachers are unhappy and it reflects in their approach to students and their teaching. Leadership has also turned over and is unresponsive to the issues that exist within the school- which include poor morale in staff and students, bullying, and fights.
Submitted by student on June 22, 2021

my experience is kinda sucks teachers can be kind but since I’m a student virtually it’s hard.We get non stop emails even on weekdays which is so exhausting, the teachers sometimes favoritism students, so if your not favorite they’ll usually bring you down and say “Do you wanna go to summer school and not go the next grade?” PE sucks. They just make you go outside and think you’ll hang out with friends, if your alone and have none they don’t bother to ask if your alright.The students are not to good, sometimes they’ll usually think they are in charge if you’re a 6th grader and they’re 8th gradeStory, When at school, during PE we were outside and I rarely hung out with friends so I were drawing on the field alone. Half and hour later they all went inside the school leaving me alone outside. I was clueless and didn’t know until I saw no one I knew outside. When I went inside no one ask if I were Alright, not even teachers. I literally wanted to cry so I stood and the bathroom for 10minutes and no one came to look for meOverall, I didn’t really like this school
Submitted by student on April 21, 2017

Most of the teachers are very nice. They push you to your limit. But, I am a student in the drama talent and it is terrible. If you are going to go to that school, I strongly suggest you choose a talent that isn't Drama. It's very stressful and there's very clear favoritism. The kids at MS51 can be a little mean but everyone is generally pretty good people. The teachers are nice but head my warning.
Submitted by student on February 15, 2016

This school helps you with anything, as long as you ask for the help. There are amazing, kind teachers too
Submitted by other on April 01, 2014

I am currently an 8th grader at this school and its absolutely amazing! MS51 has a good talent program and pushes student to work hard and never give up. If you have a question teachers are always willing to answer and you can come in for zero period or come after school. Everyone is nice to each other and students are in a very safe environment. So if your in 5th grade coming to 6th you should really check this school out!
Submitted by other on March 01, 2014

I am a sixth grader at 51, and so far I have been having an amazing time. MOST of the teachers are really friendly and supportive, and the teachers have pushed me to be on the first honor roll. If you are looking for a school that is gifted and talented, and is supportive, then I recommend this school to you.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2013

My son is a student at MS51 and he has really thrived academically and also in his talent Chorus. It has been wonderful to see the Choral performances twice a year. One negative is that the school is very large and crowded. The teachers and kids seem to manage well but on Open School Night if your kid is doing well "above 85 on report card" you are discouraged from attending and taking up valuable teacher time. Teachers do respond to emails. The teachers are also available most mornings at 0 period to answer students questions and give help.
Submitted by other on June 16, 2013

I am a graduate from PS 321 who is now finishing 6th grade honor roll in MS 51. I love that we get to go out for lunch because I have since the 4th Grade. Not many if none of the elementary and middle schools let students out for lunch. In MS 51 the students and teachers are very friendly and helpful. It is a safe and homely enviroment. If you are looking for a great school which is gifted and talented as well than this is the school for you.
Submitted by other on May 26, 2013

My name is Kawshik I am in 5th grade I've got into MS51 before I even went I have some things it is a very hard school to get into well in my opnion kids should attend MS51 instead of Mark Twain.I say MS51 is the best school in it's area.
Submitted by other on May 14, 2013

This school is amazing! I am more than halfway done with my 6th grade year and it has been FABULOUS. The teaching staff pushes you but makes you have fun too. I HIGHLY recommend it to 5th graders looking at schools.
Submitted by other on January 24, 2013

I am a 6th grader at MS 51. This school is soooo amazing. the audiotorium is small but very decorated. the talent program is awsum. i am in vocal and my teacher is very supportive. i love ela. our ela teacher is the best. she is always there for me and she is super nice.
Submitted by other on January 10, 2013

one of the best school in the city ilike it because the teachers are really friendly