My Spectrum School

11 Sintsink Dr. East

Port Washington, NY 11050

3 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK, K-1
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on March 11, 2024

This experience has been wonderful! Our daughter attended for three years and our son one. He'd run in without looking back. She was more hesitant, then couldn't stop talking about it. We moved to Port largely for this school and were not disappointed. The references were strong when we were deciding, and perhaps we'll chat if you're considering it. Many parents were educators (we're not), and we developed some close friendships.The name comes from "Project Spectrum," a research program that ran at Harvard under Howard Gardner and Mara Krechevsky. It's unrelated to the autism spectrum. The idea is that there are several types of intelligence (a "spectrum" of knowledge), and they can be cultivated in early childhood. My Spectrum School combines elements of this theory and the Reggio Emilia approach.It excels at translating theory into experiences. That's mostly because teachers care about kids, and kids aren't interested in Gardner. There's a commitment to longer-term themes (e.g., creativity, cognitive skills, STEAM), which informs curriculum. And they have a moment-by-moment approach: Teachers incorporate kids' interests and provide remarkable individual attention and differentiation. Class sizes are small enough to make that work.There's also some structure. Teachers stick to a routine for activities like arrival, lunch, playground, and departure---even if there can be considerable flexibility in between. Kids call adults by titles. Dr. D, Ms. Jennifer, and Mr. Jason became household names.The teachers are amazing, and it's hard to say enough good. Mr. Jason and Ms. Jennifer are bright, engaged, and passionate about the kids. They're also all-around wonderful people. Dr. D brings considerable experience with education theory and practice. Everyone had helpful insight at our conferences. They love talking about the kids. They were willing to reinforce things that we worked on at home, like empathy, imagination, or potty training. They will also tell it like it is: You'll hear something if your kid is in diapers at four or five. It is Long Island, after all.The facilities are large and thoughtfully designed. Mr. Jason teaches Pre-K students in one room. Ms. Jennifer and Dr. D have younger kids in another. There's a fair bit of crossover, where younger kids join the Pre-K students for some activities, parties, and play. Kids without younger siblings play eldest to the little ones, and likewise.We'll have fond memories.
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2023

Sending our son to this school has been one of the best decisions we have made for his development and confidence. The teachers all take a lot of pride and care in not only educating young children but inspiring them to reach beyond their years. Every day our son would come home and tell us detailed stories about what he learned about the human heart, intricate details about insects, the concept of evolution, the solar system, and more. What other pre-k does this?More so, this school is a community and a family. While our son is still young, the friends he has made there and the connections with his teachers are truly special. We will be sending our daughter here as well and would recommend to any parent without any hesitation to send your child here as well. It is a unique and special place.
Submitted by principal on September 24, 2020

This school is rated excellent plus because of teachers dedication understanding knowledge and experience high expectations and providing high quality early childhood education.
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2015

The perfect head start for our little one!When my daughter turned 2, I started doing my preschool research. It was important that she get a good foundation for what’s to come. I took meetings and met with other parents but even after going through all that, I wasn't impressed by any of it. Until I met Dr. Linda D'Agostino. The director for My Spectrum School.. She They talked about finger painting , snack time and even naps.(Yes even for a half days) It seemed like something was missing, a big something, the something we were searching for. We wanted to give her something we couldn't provide her with at home. A program that would show us a way to "set her up" to succeed academically. And that is exactly what i got from My Spectrum School. See they focus on language, math, science, art, music, social understanding, and movement aligned with New York State Common Core Learning Standards.The school tested my daughter for no extra charge and she is thriving in the gifted program. Im so impressed on how much she's learned. She's self assured, she is excited to learn and my personal favorite, she's excited to go back!!Im so glad I did not settle for nap time and finger painting. And you shouldn't either. Thank you My Spectrum School for giving my daughter a head start and making her love to learn.