Robert Louis Stevenson School

24 West 74th Street

New York, NY 10023

15 Reviews

School District
Grade

7-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on July 18, 2024

I have a lot of issues related to the school. First of all, the school falsely advertised that they are always open to schoolwork extensions. This was what I was told when first joining the school, which later on ended up being denied by teachers when asked. There is barely help for kids with disabilities or to those who are neurodivergent. This was especially disappointing. The teachers seem as if they have no professional training with special needs students unfortunately. Another time, a serious issue was brought up between two students and the situation was handled very poorly considering how serious it was. The head of the school (Chris) was very dismissive to me and my guardian. Overall, very unprofessional and unorganized. I would not recommend this school for many reasons but those are the main ones.
Submitted by student on June 17, 2024

My time at Robert Louis Stevenson (as a student) was terrible. Academically, there was no challenge or rigor whatsoever. The standards are underground- you get an A for showing up to class. The teachers are way too lenient and this will not prepare you for college at all. The social emotional support is good, as this is a therapy based school. There is no privacy as a student. The teachers and staff are constantly watching over you. Emails are constantly being sent around about your personal information and whereabouts. The students are incredibly immature and care about no one except themselves. Because of the size of the student body, it becomes very hard to find like minded people, even friends in general. This school should not be called a college prep school. The college program is absolutely terrible. There is no support. No one will listen to what you want or what you say, and don't even get me started on the transition to college. At Stevenson, you can get whatever you want, wether it's an extension on an assignment or to switch out of the class or anything. If you value your privacy, level of education, or even yourself, do not attend this school.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2018

Robert Louis Stevenson School is nothing short of amazing and our savior. Our son was slipping through the cracks of 'normal' schools. An otherwise very intelligent child, but with incapacitating anxiety that was being fueled and amplified in large, cookie-cutter, institutional systems. RLS has challenging academics, great and caring teachers and clinical physiologists. They are uniquely capable and set up to deal with highly individualized needs to ensure the success of their students. The Parent connection/communication is also fantastic and helps ease the family through difficult times.
Submitted by parent on September 16, 2017

Robert Louis Stevenson School saved my son. Prior to Stevenson my son suffered from debilitating anxiety and depression. Now he loves going to school and is excelling academically and socially.
Submitted by other on September 09, 2015

Clueless school. Ok if you're very rich or very poor (only then will they cut you some slack). TERRIBLE facilities, not worth a tenth of the tuition. Class syllabi are ancient, teachers are tired.
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2014

One of the great schools in NYC. The curriculum is founded on understanding rather than achievement in standardized testing. This is a school for gifted/bright kids who can't tolerate what is now called learning in the public schools. It is small, intense, challenging, and about as close to college as you can get. The emphasis is on the person and learning rather than grades. Great fun lively and enriching environment housed in a brownstone!
Submitted by other on March 20, 2014

Absolutely terrible school. They claim to be "therapeutic" and yet caused me more damage while I was there than I had arrived with. I'm now a Sophomore at NYU and completely happy with my life, but it took me years of therapy to deal with the abuse that I endured while I attended RLS. Do not send your children here.
Submitted by other on January 21, 2013

Amazing school, I'm a new student, and I absolutely love being here. It's the only school that has ever worked for me.
Submitted by parent on October 18, 2012

Stevenson saved my son. He had a great connection with the Dean when he first got there. So much so that he said, "for the first time, someone really understands how I feel". He didn't dread going to school any longer. He felt really comfortable and accepted. This school believed in my son and succeeded in helping him believe in himself. He's in college now and doing well.
Submitted by teacher on June 20, 2012

I've worked at Stevenson for the past 9 years. I love this school! We have very little staff turnover and everyone works together well. Everyone who works here truly believes in Stevenson's mission and works here because they want to make a difference. We are supported by a Learning Specialist, Educational Coordinator, therapist, and the Clinical Director. We are encouraged to differentiate instruction for students who need it. I always feel supported when I want to try new things. I've never worked in such a strong, supportive environment. A happy staff definitely makes for a better environment for students. I would send my own children here if they were in need of additional support and a small classroom experience.
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2012

I agree with the review posted on July 19, 2011. It's a therapeutic school that my child needed therapy because of attending!!!!
Submitted by parent on November 01, 2011

This is a very unique school. Students get in depth personal interaction with teachers and staff since the school is very small and the ratio of teachers to students is low. The staff is supportive and makes a big effort towards the growth and progress of each student, both academically and emotionally. Students come from around the city and area so there is a varied student body. Each student is valued, and their own unique talents developed and encouraged. I would highly recommend this school to anyone looking for a progressive and one of a kind school. My son has done well and flourished there, as with many of the students, his self esteem has improved dramatically.
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2011

My son came to Robert Louis Stevenson School after spending his 9th and 10th years of High School doing virtually nothing. His attendance record was terrible and his academic achievement worse. He is in his second year at Stevenson and has made great strides. He has learned how to be a student again through the program at Stevenson. The amount of oversight and guidance provided by the excellent Advisory program and the small class size has been instrumental in my son's progress. We were at the end of our rope and my son was quickly running out of options. Now my son is actually thinking about his future and our whole family is benefiting from his enrollment at Stevenson.
Submitted by other on August 28, 2011

For the right child, this high school definitely deserves a look. My sister s son was in a fast track Manhattan private school. Due to a combination of factors, he fell off the track grades getting worse, social problems, and his mood and conduct hit bottom. I m not sure how my sister found it, but this school turned out to be the answer for my nephew. For the first time in years he was not just willing to go to school, he was happy (and for the first time in years, I didn t have to brain-storm with my crying sister about how to handle him). His grades improved and slowly his confidence came back. He is attending college now and I don t know if that would have happened except for Robert Louis Stevenson. If you have a kid who is struggling, you might want to have a look at this school.
Submitted by parent on July 19, 2011

As of May, 2011 the new Head of School has suddenly departed. There is only one psychologist on staff, also new in 2010. Though it is labeled a 'therapeutic' school, the advisors have no professional training and a great deal of responsibility. Parents are kept at a distance. Academics are mediocre. More than half the students have had substance abuse problems. For some kids it might be the only choice, so it is good the school exists.