The Sterling School

299 Pacific Street

Brooklyn, NY 11201

26 Reviews

School District
Grade

3-6
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by parent on August 16, 2024

I am so grateful to have found this school when my struggling student was starting 3rd grade. The educators are highly trained, skilled and equipped to teach learners with language based learning disabilities.
Submitted by parent on July 24, 2024

I would kindly recommend Sterling School to any parents who want to see their children thrive and succeed in their education and life.My experience as a parent with Sterling School was amazing . Mrs Ruth Arberman, Mr Mark Kante welcomed my child with open arms when no one was willing to help her, public schools didn't have an answer or ways to help her learn she was falling behave she was bully and with low self-esteem.I have never felt so supported and understood and most importantly I didn't feel alone anymore it felt like family they understood my child's learning disability which was dyslexia. They have all the programs and strategies that help my daughter learn and thrive .My daughter started to believe in herself knowing that she was capable of reading. All tutor and teacher were amazing always making learning fun and the way they all patient never give up on my child was amazing they are all professional and also gifted to help any child with a leaning disability they really teach with love and compassion.My daughter's confidence went up and she was willing to put in more effort and was happy to go to school every day my daughter matured and was able to change for the better. She was sad to say goodbye to Sterling because she will be going to 7 grade but will always keep Sterling in her heart thanks to Sterling more doors and better opportunities are open to her. Thank you Sterling family.
Submitted by parent on July 24, 2024

Our child entered 4th grade at Sterling broken down by the public school that had failed to provide her structured literacy. She not only couldn't read or write at grade level but she had also lost her self-confidence in the process and as a result suffered from depression and anxiety.Sterling's nurturing environment and its teachers were the antidote to her depression. Within a couple of months, she had her spark back and was starting to understand the mechanics of reading and writing. Perhaps the highlight for me was when halfway through her first year there, we were at a library and she picked out a book and decided on her own to read it aloud to me, correctly pronouncing the words including ones she didn't know. By the end of 5th grade, she could mainstream back to her public school.While the tuition is the similar to other New York City private schools for children with learning disabilities, we were grateful for the flexibility Sterling demonstrated as we waited for the city to reimburse them (and us) for the balance. This is not something to be taken lightly as many schools expect the tuition for the first year to paid.Overall, our impression of Sterling and what it was able to offer our daughter was very positive.
Submitted by parent on July 24, 2024

My daughter just finished Sterling and I'm so grateful to Ruth Arberman for creating such a wonderful environment for her. Sterling is a very special place. It's a school where students learn from teachers who "really understand their brains," as my daughter once said. Ruth, a public school teacher originally, started this school for her own dyslexic son when she saw the school system was failing him. She assembled a team of specialists in Orton Gillingham and Speech and academics and created an integrated curriculum for kids who learn differently. The proof is in the proverbial pudding--when my daughter started she was in 2nd grade and wasn't even reading at a kindergarten level (despite multiple interventions from learning specialists at a well-rated public school). Now, 3+ years, later she can read on par with some of her peers. This is a miracle and it will help her for the rest of her life. I can't thank the people at Sterling enough. Mark Kanter just succeeded Ruth as head of school and he's equally wonderful. Highly knowledgeable, warm, and committed to understanding the needs of each student and their family. Highly recommend.
Submitted by parent on July 13, 2024

We finally were awarded private special learning schools for my son after years of awful public education experience. We researched and ended up finding The Sterling School . We were kind of skeptical because it only went up to the 6th grade. He would only do one year. We took the chance and what a great decision we made. My son within 2 to 3 weeks was rapidly learning what he couldn’t have learned in the public school for years upon years. We were so joyful he was finally learning. My only regret was not finding The Sterling School in his early elementary school years. I can just imagine what he could’ve learned because within the short period of time being there, he picked up rapidly due to the great staff and learning specialist that they have there.The Sterling School thank you for caring for our children, socially, emotionally and educationally. You guys are great!
Submitted by parent on June 26, 2024

An amazing, welcoming community. The understanding of reading/writing instruction and supporting kids with dyslexia is the focus of the school. Between both of my kids with learning disabilities I have toured, applied to, or had a child that has attended pretty much all of the too limited options in NYC. Several with comparable learning resources have much fancier, private school vibes - new buildings, fancier facilities etc - and also, consequently were not as understanding with Connors funding needs. Sterling, by contrast is a welcoming, unfussy school that really focuses its resources on staff, who are warm and engaged and experienced. My kid's confidence and independence in doing work (including homework) has been a remarkable transformation. The only downside, compared with public school, is that there are less school days and no in-school after school options (there is one co-located after school program in the building but it's expensive and limited).
Submitted by parent on June 15, 2024

Student in this school feel that they are hear, and that they can overcome their readings problem when the staff is supporting them in evething they need.
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2023

I have substituted at Sterling and had long chats with the founder, Ruth Aberman, about the power of structured literacy, her son's journey with dyslexia, and her experience running a reading center for decades before opening Sterling. Ruth and her staff are super kind and knowledgeable. The school has a relaxed, safe, structured feel. Students are given small-group and 1:1 Orton-Gillingham instruction, and routine assessments. Sterling also has a strong STEM center connected.One thing that really stood out to me about this school is how heart-minded it is. When Ruth showed me around the school, we joined a structured literacy session with a student who was frustrated with himself for forgetting a letter. Ruth and his teacher sat with him and gave him the space and guidance to work through his big feelings (which we all know is a big yet sometimes overlooked part of learning). In addition, when substituting (6th grade), the students all came together to help each other with homework, and write a card for their teacher, who they were eager to have back in the classroom. Overall, as a literacy instructor myself, I would recommend Sterling.I hope this helps depict an image of my experience! I also encourage you to call the school and speak to Ruth if you have questions. She's super warm and inviting.
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2022

When we first visited The Sterling School we were at our wits end with the inability of public elementary school to provide a proper education to our son with dyslexia. He was met with such difficulty and daily defeat in his classes, none of the other private schools we were looking at seemed to be the right fit. And then we toured Sterling and met the founder/director Ruth. She spoke to us with the empathy of a mother who had been in our position before, she reassured us that her school could teach our son, that he would find a home at Sterling, and they would prepare him for success beyond the school. Then The Sterling School did just that for four years. At a moment of desperation we found the perfect educational fit at Sterling and will be forever grateful for the education, socialization, and confidence they gave our son. A truly wonderful school.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2022

The Sterling School is a place we call home and will always call home. They knew our son's needs and were able to articulate them so clearly with empathy and understanding; they did a better job than us with describing our son and his needs. The Sterling school understands the students and can provide what they need to be successful. They foster healthy relationships and are truly like a family. Our son made much more progress in his first year at Sterling than in 4 years in public school. The Sterling school knew what to do and how to do it. Everyone at the Sterling school's leadership, teachers, specialists, and providers are all angels in disguise. My son discovered his love for learning at the Sterling school. He leaves the library with books he wants to read (because he picked them out) and is excited about going to Barnes and Nobel. So much improvement in his academic performance, self-esteem, and socialization. All schools should follow their blueprint 9special and general education); it just makes sense, and it works!
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2022

My son life has transom to the best !!! They took him with no ability to read and did the most amazing work with him . We love the school, we love the people that work there, we have felt like a family for the last few years we attended. It was a long journey for us until we came across this school, and I can say with all my heart, that I could not wish for a better place.
Submitted by parent on June 27, 2021

My son has dyslexia and he received life changing help from the staff at The Sterling School. I highly recommend it!
Submitted by parent on October 19, 2020

I was unaware of Sterling School at the time I was looking for a school for my daughter. The school was recommended to me and I had trouble finding much information on the staff or student success. I took the chance. I have never regretted the decision one bit. Ruth and her staff goes above and beyond and I cannot recommend this school enough. The small setting only enhances the environment and Ruth knows and understand each and every student. The attention and success we have had at Sterling School has been truly life changing. If you are considering this school, please do so without hesitation!
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2020

It was the best decision that I made for my student. I do not know what we would have done if we did not fine this school. The improvements that my daughter made are amazing and she has only been in the school for 1 year. I cant wait to see how much more growth she will make in the future.
Submitted by parent on June 15, 2020

My son's life has been transformed (and therefore the life of all of us in the family) by attending this school. He is finally in a place where he can feel successful and therefore has learned and grown so much!
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2020

My son was in the founding class. He just received his Master's from NYU. The Sterling School made it all possible. The education and support was instrumental in his success. Thank you to all his teachers and most of all the director and founder, we are forever in your debt
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2019

Stars across the board for this school hands down. They showed my child how to use all of her gifts as strengths academically and through life. Her experience was life changing here.
Submitted by parent on March 25, 2019

We finally found a school and a team of educators who understand and support our son’s learning challenges. While progressing academically, he has also grown emotionally. The educators are thoughtful and understanding and treat the parents/caregivers like team players. There are no words that can accurately express the gratitude we feel that our son has found a school where he feels supported and where there is more of an emphasis on his strengths than his weaknesses. His passion for learning has resumed and his self esteem has been regained. Thank you Sterling!
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2018

What a gem of a school! More schools should be like The Sterling School. They made such an amazing difference for my daughter (and our family). We are so grateful for everything: the guidance, the reassurance, the love, the professionalism and expertise. Amazing and holistic approach to teaching our dyslexic child. They even learn to advocate for themselves. My daughter is starting HS as a confident student. The lessons and tools she gained from Sterling are life changing. They renewed our hope for the future.
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2017

Amazing. Like night and Day for our daughter who struggled from PRE-K to 1st grade. Navigating the system to get what our child needed for her dyslexia and ADHD was emotionally draining for us as parents but for our daughter the experience had taken away her spark. She no longer wanted to read or try to do homework and would put herself down and cry. Broke our hearts. Finding a school with teachers that were not only trained to work with a child with ADHD, severe dyslexia and short term memory is no easy task. Finding teachers trained or certified in techniques that work with children with dyslexia near impossible. Our daughter's teacher at Sterling is not only experienced in Orton-Gillingham but is super patient with our child. Focusing and refocusing our daughter in the most amazing way. Honestly after the first couple of weeks at Sterling our daughter was once again the silly, bright and excited child she used to be. She loved going to school. She went up 2 reading levels in a few short weeks just based on the strategies and the approach of instruction at STERLING. I can't say enough about the Sterling staff and all the support staff who surround not only our child but all the children who have not had the best school experience prior to coming to the Sterling School.