Quest To Learn

351 West 18th Street

School District

New York City Geographic District # 2
Grade

6-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for New York City Geographic District # 2

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 November 10, 2021

Quest to Learn is an innovative school that uses alternative teaching methods to reach students who may not have felt understood at standard NYC public schools. The teachers really go above & beyond the call of duty to find a way to keep kids engaged, and my child has really benefitted from this. The kids are really nice, too, and help each other out. Individuality and diversity are celebrated here. Most of the class projects are team efforts, and they do seem to work well together. Kids with IEPs and those without are mainstreamed together, which is great.
Submitted by other on September 09, 2019

Caring and supportive faculty/staff. Challenges its students and fosters positive relationships among peers.
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2019

An excellant experience, boosted student’s self confidence and made learning interesting and fun.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2019

This is a safe campus. Teachers are creative, inspiring and very responsible, creating a harmonic learning environment for the kids to explore their potentials. My son is doing well here, getting well with the peers and mentors. His happiness, confidence and love to the school are the best evidence. He passed all the state exams at good scores and is challenging the AP course now. Because it's a new school so they are not supposed to refuse the applicants for academic reason but I see all the efforts the principle and teachers have been making - they're trying to help all the kids find themselves and develop themselves. The only pity I felt about the school is they don't have their own building which makes them have to share the space with some other schools. I wish DOE could invest more in the school space.
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2019

This is not a school for parents who want their children to be the rat in the wheel and stuck in societal norms of what is considered to be the sorry state of public education today. If you sense your child can do better and be happier, has anxiety, cannot keep up and is disinterested, give this school a try, be open to the possibilities, you will be pleasantly surprised. This is the embodiment of America - creativity, innovation, finding your passion, dedication and purpose in life. The school teachers are engaging on topics, coach the kids for the real world and how to advocate for themselves. This is so important when you go out to Corporate America and think that you had decent grades and should do fine and wonder why you can't make it in the work environment filled with closeted bias, perception and favoritism. If you want your kid to be like everybody else - over worked, over programmed, on Xanax, then don't come here.
Submitted by other on October 13, 2017

Awful. Plain and simple. I learned very little and didn't even get to experience what the school set out to do, revolutionize learning with technology, they cancelled our medial literacy class in 8th grade and never brought it back.
Submitted by other on September 27, 2017

The school is filled with caring, creative teachers.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2017

this school is terrible, not organize on what they do, need more heaters & fans. Too much bullying.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2017

My daughter has been attending Quest since middle-school. She enjoys the project-based learning and speaks highly of her teachers. She feels safe and supported at this school
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2017

My son is in his 2nd year here and he really loves it. He comes home eager to tell me about challenges he enjoyed in the classroom. I've found the teachers very supportive and communicative. There is a very nice atmosphere within the school as both students an staff seem happy.
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2017

My son has been studying at this school for two years. The teachers here are all nice and responsible. My kid enjoys the school life here!
Submitted by other on May 02, 2017

My son has attended this school since Sept 16. He finds it challenging and engaging and loves his teachers. He often comes home telling me about interesting lessons. The new principal Nicholas Jurman is very eager to work with parents to improve the reputation and quality of the school and it is obvious that the staff are eager to support him in this. I have found the teachers very supportive and helpful throughout the year. Most importantly, my son feels very safe and accepted here.
Submitted by teacher on February 10, 2017

As a teacher at Quest to Learn for the past five years, I can honestly say that the teachers and staff are some of the most creative and inspiring people I know. Finally, we have an administrator capable of steering us in the right direction with continuing support from our founding partner, Institute of Play.
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2016

With the caring staff, rigorous curriculum, and wonderful leadership form principal Nicholas Jurman, I believe that my son is getting a great middle school expeirience so far.
Submitted by other on May 23, 2016

My child is in the 6th grade. He really likes the school. Me, not so much. There's only one teacher that communicates with me, the others rarely respond to emails even if it's fairly important. I feel the teachers are quick to blame the student instead of considering that they may have been mistaken by giving a certain grade. IEP is loosely followed. We are not sure if he's being challenged academically. We chose this school because we wanted our son to not hate school, and we've accomplished this, but it is not organized well. Perhaps a change in leadership will help. Bathrooms are filthy, even the boys complain, so that really says something!
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2015

Principal is nasty, school is dirty, difficult for me as a parent to get academics updates.My child attending for third year and school getting worse and worse.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2013

While I admire this schools mission, in practice, it just doesn't work to serve my child. Especially if you have a child with an IEP or one needing any kind of additional support, do not attend this school. The naming of the classes are confusing and difficult to follow and track as a parent. The focus on technology obfuscates the issues with parent/teacher communication. The online tools for tracking assignments and grades, Canvas, is not real time so while it promises insight into performance, the delay renders it meaningless. The facility is crowded with other schools and feels with the exception of the 7th floor like a penitentiary. I do think the teachers are good and mostly enthusiastic but I question the administrative leadership and frankly I regret choosing this school for my child. It's a good idea poorly executed with limited funding (and yes, just another testament to why we need to put more money as a society into our public education).
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2013

I felt compelled to write after reading a few comments about Quest. My child goes to Quest & he has an IEP, they have been very responsive to needs. We are in constant contact with the teachers, they respond to emails & help to solve challenges my kid is having. Sixth grade was better than any other year my child had (this child came from one of the top schools) My child has decided to stay at Quest through HS. Every kid has a different experience, in different situations. Sad when a parent writes that a whole school has horrible quality, sounds like an angry or disappointed parent. The good thing, they found a school that is a good fit, which is ultimately how we achieve, grow & become successful. Congrats. It's great for a child & parent to find that right school. However, getting high grades at one school & not another doesn't say much about either school. Maybe one school is too rigorous & the other school is more in line with that child's level of learning? (or learning styles) If a parent wants to express their opinions on a website, especially the negative, they should state specifics & not a general comments, which doesn't help anyone.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2013

I took my son out and now he gets 90s and 100s and is actually learning.the quality of the school is horrible they need new leadership the only good thing is that the children for the most part are safe. If your child struggles with anything they isn't much help and they do not follow iep at all.
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2013

There is much diversity in the school and respect for others. Most of the work in school is based on projects where students work in groups, but have individual tasks that are important elements they are responsible to contribute. Teachers/staff notify parents if a student should require extra study time at the school. There is an online canvas board for parents to sign on to and monitor their child's progress and completed homework.