Ps 229 Dyker

1400 Benson Avenue

School District

New York City Geographic District #20
Grade

PK, K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for New York City Geographic District #20

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 January 23, 2021

The school's staff is very traditional and old school. The style of teaching is basic memorization and assigning a ton of meaningless work. They don't teach the underlying principals for the subjects that they are learning. They should try the Hunter's college TC program method instead. The principal is very new and very slow at implementing changes. He is also not very receptive to suggestions from staff nor parents. They do not believe in preparing the kids for the future and don't have any programs for STEAM. In fact, last year they fired a STEAM teacher and hired an extra gym teacher. Really? Gym is more important then math and science? Families are selling their homes in this beautiful quiet neighborhood partially because of the school. They really need to change things at this school.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2019

I feel like my kids are in good hands.
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2016

this principal never is at the office hi don't care for parent when they want to talk to him .The assistants her name is Kodine or Klodine scream a kids all the time and threat at them yesterday my son had field trip and she was screaming at the kids they got very scary . I am going to call my lawyer because is the 2nd time and the principal never called back .And the people in the main office are not respectful at all
Submitted by other on February 07, 2016

Big disappointment. I have no idea why this school has good reviews. My son is in G&T class. Teachers in those programs suppose to know how to develop talents in their students. Nothing that I expected is happening. Students are treated like robots. They are not aloud to be creative at all. The teacher penalizes for every little thing and thinks that learning through negative reinforcement is the right approach. There is absolutely no recess even in the warm months like September, October, and even June. Kids do not move around at all other than during their once a week gym class. Yet they are expected to sit quietly, consecrate and listen to the teacher all day long. I find it ridiculous. No one seems to listen to any complaints or concerns. It's as if no one at this school cares! On the top of it school administration is from the moon. No transparency. No communication with parents what so ever. School calendar is never updated. I have no idea how thy run this school. We will transfer our son from September.
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2015

I am disagreed with some parents. If you put your kids in this school, you should know this school is very concern about the test scores and trying to keep kids focuse on study. If your kids couldn't pass the test or having a low scores, you are blaming the school as well. My daughter is in G&T program, I have spend 1 1/2 hours everyday to help her hw, I feel bad for my little girl. However, new common core put all kids and schools in tough situation, as parents, we have to support and help our kids to go thru it, no only depends on school. I heard some parents, put their kids in after school tutoring since kindergarten. Although it has lots of cw and hw, but my girl loves this school. Teachers are very dedicated and motivative. When she starts school, she couldn't read and spell. Now, she is reading books in E grade, and writing simple sentences. Althought, she is not the smart one in class, but I see her improvement and the efford from her and teachers. If you want your kids has no hw, no pressure and relex in school, this is not a school that you are looking for. I give it 4 stars because it is my girl 1st year in this school, hopefully, all our kids are able to go thru the new common core and have bright futher. Good luck all.
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2015

I have to agree that the priorities if those in charge at PS 229 are test scores and high ranking. If your child does not do well you as the parent will get all of the blame and the school offers no services for challenged students unless it is mandated. The class sizes are 30+ because people from other zones use addresses in the area to get their kids in. Why? Because of the ranking. But your child may not be taught certain things to focus on the tests. Schools get rewarded monetarily for those high test scores. Just do 't expect them to spend any of it on services for challenged children without having to jump through hoops first. Lots of them.
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2015

High test score and district ranking is the only thing the school is seeking. They don't really care about what children really need.
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2015

I've heard great things about PS 229 before sending my child there. However, what I've found is completely the opposite. I understand that with the new common core there is a lot of work and teachers are overwhelming the kids with all the information, tests, and enormous amount of HW. The expectations are way over what children are actually capable of at this age. The tests are very difficult and as a result the grades suffer. The material is taught at a college level... Just sit and listen like a lecture. Most elementary age kids need a more playful approach. The teacher penalizes for every little thing and thinks that learning through negative reinforcement is the right approach. There is absolutely no recess even in the warm months like September, October, and even June. Kids do not move around at all other than during their once a week gym class. Yet they are expected to sit quietly, consecrate and listen to the teacher all day long. I find it ridiculous. No one seems to listen to any complaints or concerns. It's as if no one at this school cares!
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2014

Both of my kids are in G&T program. Most of the teachers are excellent! However, 2 years ago one teacher for the 1st grade G&T was a little bit disappointed to us, she doesn't know how to use computer nor email, she doesn't care about the communication with the parents, her requirements for the G&T students were way too easy, and easily made them lost learning interest. Almost all the parents from her class believe that our children wasted that whole year. But, we don't see her recently, not sure if that is a good thing or not. Other than that teacher, two thumbs up for PS 229 elementary teachers, who know how to motivate the G&T kids and make teaching really meaningful and fun.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2014

I am a parent in this school since 2001. My 3 children have all had wonderful experiences in PS229. I have had 2 if my children go through Middleschool there and have found all the staff great. As with anything new there are always bumps in the road but that's top be expected. Overall it is a wonderful school.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2013

P.s. 229 dyker is a great school. They have wonderful teachers and I am very happy that my kids go to school there.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2013

It seems easier to get into Fort Knox.I have heard great things about the students achieving high scores which entices me to want my child to attend kg here.Although ,I am not zoned for this school I thought I could apply.Any school I contacted welcomed me to apply.Not this school I was told straight out over the phone "don't bother to come all the way to try - they only take zoned students".I live only on the other side of the park I explained.Still the same response was given to me.
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2012

Been in this School with my kids for over 12yrs. Every school has it ups & downs but I have to say this school has been over all a great School!! The things that my kids home and learn is all from this school. Also If I had a ask for any one person to watch over these kids in school it would be Mr. Rodgers!! He has been there for over 20 yrs and knows the school in & out. Great person !!
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2012

Unfortunate many of their staff members in the office are extremely difficult to work with. No transparency... agrees with previous review by other parents: "no parent involvement in the process and no talks toward solutions" Also watch out for the security guard "Roger' - not friendly at all.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2012

Don't be fooled by these reviews. They are seriously out of date. Principal Harrigan is long gone, the middle school transition was a disaster and the new principal is in over his head. Had to pull my children out, and we were not alone. There are some bright spots, such as the wonderful lower school teachers and the excellent security team (Mr. Rodgers is the best). The upper grades leave much to be desired. If you have options, you should carefully consider them.
Submitted by other on February 01, 2012

I graduated from PS 229 in 1959, so if you do the math, you'll know that I am now a 63 year old lawyer who is very grateful for the education I obtained there. It enabled me to go on to Brooklyn Tech and then Queens College, Stony Brook University and then University of Miami Law School. I am a former teacher, so I know how challenging it is to try to educate today's kids who are so radically different from how we were back then. Bravo for being a 9 out of 10 school despite all the obstacles. I'll give you 5 stars for still going strong after all these years. I remember all of my teachers and how dedicated they were even though they earned practically nothing at the time. Keep up the good work. Education is everything.