New Explorations Into Science, Tech and Math High School

111 Columbia Street

School District

New York City Geographic District # 1
Grade

K-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for New York City Geographic District # 1

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 June 28, 2019

One major advantage of NEST is the on-site after-school program offering a broad set of enrichment activities like sports, music, chess, arts, etc. NEST also has a very active PTA, very engaged parents, and a good sense of school community. Most of the classes have teaching assistants paid for with donations from parents through the PTA. It is a huge benefit for the kids to have the TA in the class providing additional support.
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2017

Overall, highly organized& safe, with a fabulous PTA that really makes NEST a special place. Also good enrichment options. Strong academic push. But lacks the priority of building community and and the social-emotional learning so essential to long-term success and well-being.
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2016

I have a 3rd grade daughter who goes to NEST+m. Most of all, she loves her teachers. This gives me a great comfort that there is someone in school she can trust. In terms of curriculum, all subjects seem to cover what 3rd graders need to learn. Workload (i.e., homework) has been reasonable so that she can spend about an hour each day. Emphasis on reading every night is the best. They might need to think about their choice of the 2nd language since many students and parents seem to think the course does not seem to be very successful.
Submitted by other on June 02, 2016

My daughter is finishing Kindergarten at NEST. In terms of academics, the school is very targeted in it's curriculum and my daughter has progressed very well. Mark Berkowitz has come on board as the new principal after the former retired. It's been a little bumpy with regards to his transition, but he seems to work very hard to improve communication with parents and make things right. In general, NEST is a good school, but it can become a great school, with more collaborative efforts between the administration and parents.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2016

Overall, I feel NEST+m has been a positive experience for my 9th grader. The majority of the students are friendly and hard working, and she has some absolutely amazing teachers--truly collegiate level--such as Ms. Corbett, her physics teacher. I honestly cannot speak more highly of Ms. Corbett. Her ability to teach physics and inculcate a love of the subject is unparalleled. there is nothing rote or boring about her teaching methods and she has inspired my daughter to pick AP Physics for her elective next year.the downside of NEST is that a lot of things we were sold on to attend, did not materialize. There used to be a standout science fair, which no longer takes place, as well as monthly guest visits and discussion from experts in policy and science that no longer seem to happen. I would hope as Principal Berkowitz begins to make his mark on the school, that he doesn't forget the 9-12 aspect of having a K-12 school. I understand the need to focus on getting enrollment high in Kindergarten, but there are so few stand-out small science-based high schools in Manhattan (or NYC in general) that he has an amazing and unique opportunity to give students both a rigorous course of study as well as offer a more tailored experience. Restoring funding for lectures and the science fair would be a great start to helping build that.
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2016

School takes care to promote exceptional students, especially in Math. The new principal helps out personally. Not a perfect school but perfect for my son. We plan to stay through 12th. Love the fact that peers are all bright kids. Very happy to have won the lottery!
Submitted by student on April 01, 2016

I can't stand the new hall pass during lunch rule. Its like we need to get on a VIP list to go see a teacher. What's up with that. Also, how come the kids don't have a say on changing the school color. couldn't we have had a vote on the color of the hallways WE walk in??We may learn and have good teachers. But how come the kids don't have a say? Things weren't this bad with our old principle. WE also lost our 8th grade french teacher, SO IN The middle of the semester, the 6th grade lost their french teacher, because she has to teach the with grade. Now all the French kids have to restart learning a language they didn't want to learn? Why wasn't a new teacher found? Lower school was good. Middle school, not, so, much.
Submitted by student on October 13, 2015

The only reason that Nest+m was considered a good school for middle school was the extra regents that you take in 8th grade. These regents gave you an edge over other students when you go into high school since you no longer have to these classes. But starting from last year the two extra regents were gone from your choices due to the retirement of the old principal. To 5th graders that are considering to go to Nest+m, as a current 8th grader it's not worth it. It would actually be better off to go to a school like Mark Twain, Anderson, or Hunter, since these schools help students more than Nest+m currently does.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2015

To get into this school, kids have to test at the highest levels (99%). So the classmates are very bright. That's the high point of the school. But the administration is horrible. If the kids weren't so bright to begin with, the school would likely get horrible ratings. As it is, the school manages not to ruin most of them. But it doesn't provide the learning environment that takes advantage of the kids abilities. Especially now with Common Core. The nice things about the school have been slowly dropped over the years, they require people to do extra work, so don't happen (like science fairs). And now the implementation of Common Core is providing extra reasons for them to drop any of the remaining noteworthy activities. Everyone wants their kids to attend this school because it is so hard to get into. But it's really not the exceptional school that everyone thinks it is. Has been a very disappointing experience for our kids.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2013

Quickly became the best public school in New York City, Mostly due to intelligent and hard working children; and some of the most dedicated parents.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2013

I am a parent of 2 children in Middle School. I am thrilled my kids go here! No school is perfect, however, the curriculum and teacher quality is strong and the teaching is solid. They have the students' best interest in focus and I consider this school to be a great foundation for the rest of their lives. Science, technology and math are in the name of the school and I am grateful they are learning these subjects on a high level but the music, theater and art departments are equally as strong providing a balanced education for students. Definitely a STEAM approach. I don't know if schools that offer Arts as their strength would offer science and math as stongly. No talent areas, no majoring in a specific area at the age of 11, 12 and 13 years old, just a balanced approach to teaching it all at a high level so they have the tools to make those decisions and choices later. That's what is important to me about this school.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2013

My school is the absolute best of the best! My child is so excited to go every morning and loves to learn. The teachers are the best in breed and committed to each and every child! The ciriculum challenges every child to move up to the next level.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2013

This school has inspired me to pick it because it has very teacher quialtiy for challenging the students to a very high level.
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2012

This school is absolutely the best of the best! My daughter is in the middle school and she's surrounded by excellent teachers and very motivated, focused and talented students. On top of their excellent core curriculum, it's a pleasant surprise that they have amazing art, music, theatre and sports program.
Submitted by parent on June 27, 2012

Excellent elementary and middle school, fantastic teachers, challenging curriculum; room for improvement in science in elementary school
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2012

Excellent education, teachers, sports, music, art, etc. Definitely for smart kids who are hardworking, with the maturity and the willingness to do a lot of homework. We wish we had known then that the grades from the regents subjects and foreign language go on the permanent transcript for college, so my daughter and some of her friends are still trying to make up for their less than stellar Nest classroom grades as they enter senior year, despite top regents and test scores.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2012

I have been a parent at NEST+M since the first day they opened their doors. Both my son and my daughter have had an amazing educational experience at NEST+M. The teachers really care about their students and their dedication is apparent in the positive educational experience each child receives. The PTA is a powerful entity in the school. The PTA has spearheaded many initiatives at NEST+m. They welcome volunteers with open arms and the everyone works together for the better of the school. The Adminstration works closely with the PTA and that shows in the sucess of NEST+M. I would also like to applaud the efforts of each and every person who works at NEST+M in saying without all of you NEST+M would not be the successful and beautiful school it is today. I would be remiss if I didnt take a moment to mention that it has been my experience that NEST+M has by far the most helpful and gracious office staff! Keep up the great work NEST+M!
Submitted by other on May 12, 2012

NEST+M IS AMAZING. IT HAS SUPPORTIVE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS .IT HAS TAUGHT ME A LOT AND I LOVE NEST.
Submitted by parent on March 21, 2012

My daughter has been going to Nest for three years. She's in 2nd grade and we have had an incredible experience with this school. So far my daughter has had three amazing teachers and is flourishing in a safe and joyful environment where she is taught to think critically and developing high standards for her classwork. The communication with the school is excellent and the PTA is very involved and welcoming to all. The best thing about the school is the incredible diversity. There are literally children from every culture and community you can imagine at this school.
Submitted by parent on March 19, 2012

My son went there for Middle school. This is one of the best school not for only education also make the student as a better person. Kids are also happy to be there.