Ps 71 Forest

62-85 FOREST AVE

School District

New York City Geographic District #24
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for New York City Geographic District #24

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 October 07, 2022

Extremely disappointed for the past few years. Overcrowded classes, no recess for the past three years, blended program during pandemic times handled very poorly. Forest Elementary basically offered remote learning at the school property for the blended children. My child is constantly praised and teachers constantly assure me that my child excels in all subjects; however, the report card does not reflect that. The never ending ‘Meet Standard’ grades from top to bottom do not encourage and disappoint very much. Wonder why Forest Elementary choses not to acknowledge outstanding students.
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2022

Bro i got falsely accused for spilling milk on the table by the grumpy assistant teacher, ask me if you want the her name cause she sounds grumpy cause she smoked infront of me. Like FR bro its those grumpy old teachers these days.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2022

This schools went downhill in the last few years. Overcrowded classes ( my child has over 30 kids in class for years), principal says one thing and does another, old building and no outdoor recess since 2018 due to neverending construction. Some teachers do care but no much they can do. Take your child elsewhere if you can.
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2022

Great teachers and staff. Clean environment. Principal Soto is understanding and always does whats best for the children
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2022

Do not send your children to this school . I do not recommend it . I’ve seen for myself as a parent how the teachers don’t care my child was excelling my child did not have any kind of consistency within this school no projects no test poor communication with parents . Teachers look as if they roll out of bed to go to work . They never inform you about anything. Everyone is in lala land . They don’t care about your well being it’s just terrible how they are running this school . Extremely disappointed!!!
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2020

This is the best school my kids ever attended, we feel like we are part of an extended family. The principal is always there greeting parents and kids every morning, she is very involved and a great listener, I can't say enough good things about Mrs. Sotto, she takes each kid best interest at heart, she is full of energy! Teachers are amazing, they take communication with parents very seriously, I often send them messages after office hour and they answer right away. This school is one of the rare school in nyc to understand that music is a very important component in brain development; they teach piano and violin. They also have an amazing afterschool program that includes art, cheerleading, dance... The cheerleader and dance teams get to compete at a national level, they go every year to disney world and Virginia beach, Mrs. Napoli is responsible for those programs and she is amazing, she is very involved, she also comes on saturdays to help the cheerleaders practice! My daughter had a small bullying issue with a special need kid and I didn't know how to deal with the situation, so I explained my concern to the guidance counselor who immediately took actions and teached my daughter how to deal with these kind of situations, how to speak up for her self but also how to feel empathy toward the bullies, now she is an expert! The school purchases several programs such as lexia, myon, I-ready... each student have their own login information and teachers have access to their progress. I-ready provides them with a report of strength and weakness, this allows teachers to focus mainly on each student weaknesses, this way an individual education plan is provided to each student attending this school. Students progress is the best in the district, all staff members are very helpful and work as a team toward the students best interest.I can't say enough good things about this school, my kids can't wait when the weekend is over to go back to school. My daughter is in special education, she is getting all the attention that she needs and even more, the staff are there to guide you and provide you with the best services in an effort to help each student be very successful. We all have an amazing experience at this school that I would rate as the best school in ny state!
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2020

Great learning environment. Very good teachers and staff
Submitted by parent on June 26, 2019

Surprisingly very good, considering the reviews. Academically speaking, my sun just finished kindergarten there. His reading level went from 0 to 2nd grade level in one school year. His teacher, Ms. De La Cruz was very involved with the kids. I have to complain about the food and physical activity. Kids should be supervised when eating or drinking. One day I found three coccolate milk drinks in my son’s book-bag. He took them in the cafeteria and no one said anything to him. I do believe in having control over a kids diet and not just leaving stuff around for grabs. Physical activities are at minimum. No gym! School is going through renovations. Agree, bulling is present. But, I do believe that it is the same in every school.
Submitted by other on December 16, 2016

My son is in Kindergarten and already they change the teacher 3. times in 4 months.I try to contact the principal but is not easy to get in touch with her.After school program is for the people who doesn't work,the one who work doesn't get anything.
Submitted by parent on May 09, 2016

-Gym is once a week in the cafeteria yet the school is concerned with signing a petition to get new chairs in the auditorium...they chairs are fine-Children are yelled at during lunch and recess and not allowed to properly socialize and be kids (sit for 7 hours straight)-Bullying is prevalent and not documented or relayed to parents-Very very average school - nothing "stands out" about this place-Principal being nice to parents is not enough although she is a MUCH needed change from Olivella - I would suggest there be monthly townhalls with parents so we can voice our concerns and administration would hear the goods and bads-PTA woman is a complete B. They only look after their kids and God only knows how the money for PTA is being managed because they raise ALOT of money through selling ice cream EVERY DAY to kids at lunch for $2 a piece although I'm told by my child that the three musketeers aka PTA people's kids don't have to pay as they are given free ice cream by their parents - nice!-Ridgewood is becoming a gentrified neighborhood; I wonder how this school will keep up now that the wealthy yuppies are coming in with their kids-Curriculum is subpar - students are expected to perform at a certain level but it seems that administration is likely not giving the teachers the proper additional training but mostly not giving enough support to allow teachers bandwidth to produce great results in their students. Their daily class schedules need to have more breaks in order to give both students and teachers a break. Five minutes here and there would make a huge difference for everyone!-BEHIND TECHNOLOGICALLY! Why can't the monthly calendar be emailed to parents...or even better...maintain a website!!!!! THEIR COMPUTER TEACHER MS. WAGNER IS PART OF DISTRICT 24...what a shameful thing...and they do not have a functioning up to date website where parents can go.-^^^^^Ms. Soto needs to step up to the plate. It's not always about managing and playing offense; she needs to get on the front lines and be proactive about fixing things. She could majorly improve in the area of better leveraging her staff so that certain things come off her plate.
Submitted by other on September 11, 2015

Every parents I want you all to read this very carefully there is a saying "first impression is a last impression" I had very bad impression on the first day of my child pre-k. It was all good in the morning while dropping him off. I could not pick him up coz I was at my work so I told my sister in law to pick him up at 12:30. One of the teacher started yelling at her which classroom. Tell me the number, you don't know English? You don understand English, there are 4 class room how can I find your child, you kown nothing about your child.. Blaaa blaaa. Later she called me and the so called teacher she grab the the to talk to me n I gave his class room number.. Can you go up now....2nd floor...On top of all these she has my 7months old son on stroller... You all can imagine the first day of education... Lil confuse and lil lost. Instead of helping us to get our kids she misbehave so rude very arrogant. I have no idea what my child will learn from such so called teacher.....
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2015

The school no longer has a top or honors class from Sept. 2014. Every one with different levels are mixed together. Though this maybe a great idea in theory. In reality it is terrible. There is nothing to challenge those that are able to understand & complete the work. (common core) For ex, in math, my kids are so bored they complain to me, they know how to divide and multiply but the teacher has to go over it b/c some don't know in 5th grade. The kids in their class are talking not doing work and don't care plus half of them don't bother doing the homework. They disrespect the teachers. There is nothing to challenge them. Some classes have no current titled books for higher lexile reading level. One of my kids teacher has books but the others do not. My kids have become complacent with learning and I am frustrated b/c how can they compete to get into a gifted/talented program or a competitive middle school if they are not challenged and able to complete the large amounts of work given them? Maybe the were, hoping the smarter could be role models but all my kids get is teased for getting 4's and feel bad about being smart. I'm heartbroken & remind themhow important learning
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2014

Mrs. Soto is the new principle and she is excellent. I would like to see more field trips for students this year. I would also like to see the P.E classes expanded for all students.
Submitted by other on March 16, 2014

the new principle has changed many things about the school like she added "owl dollars"most the things that you can get with these owl dollars is what 5 th grade would usually get with the old principle if she is going to have theses things it should only be for 4th grade and under and give those things to 5th grade they've been looking at the past 5th graders enjoying all these things for 5 years and they couldn't wait until they were in fifth grade to get these.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2014

while the principal is new and seeks to involve parents and families on a greater level, the old staff is still the same and very selective in who they give their best service to. I am not impressed.
Submitted by other on November 24, 2013

I love this school because it has clubs like the Recycling club with a good teacher ms Ryan.They have wonderful students like I once was now I'm following my dreams as a actress and artiest at my new school new voices ms 443 I will never forget all the wonderful teachers and community that forest elementary ps 71 Q gave me .but mostly I will never forget my friends in that school my friends were my teachers the assistant principals and the principal which allowed us to explore clubs and have a singing Competition at lunch so we don't get board so I'm grateful for that school i will never ever forget ps 71Q ever !!!!!!
Submitted by other on October 29, 2013

i use to go to this school.i now go to i.s383 a school for the gifted and talented. If u decide to send ur child there,trust me it is a great school.i had just graduate this school in 2012.My younger brother still goes to 71 and he still get a good score on his test. 1 thing i hope the school will change it that this school used to be a no uniform school. Kids in this school are still little,they do not wear inappropriate clothes. i think normal clothes are fine.
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2013

PS 71 now has a new Principal who is a force of positiveness, has a great love for the children and her number one goal not only for her students, but also for the parents and educators is to have an excellent education! She's a ROCK STAR! In a short time, she has created an atmosphere of success and has brought up the school morale. We are proud that she is our students' leader. The teachers are outstanding! They are very effective and care about the students success. The security agent works diligently to keep the school safe and make the children feel at home. The Aides, Custodial & Lunch staff are the backbone of the school and really care about the students. The Parent Coordinator is the liaison between the staff and families. She holds educational and creative workshops for the parents. She also holds monthly enjoyable family night activities. The PA team and Office staff bring a feeling of warmth and welcome to the school. Being a staff member, student and parent at PS 71 is like being part of a big family. Everyone works together for the greater good. I am proud to have my children attend this school. Thank you PS 71!
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2013

The new principal of PS 71 is very friendly. It's nice to see and know who the principal of the school is! The AP's are also very present. The Parent Coordinator is hard working and relates to the parents. She holds creative and educational workshops for the parents as well as enjoyable family night events every month. The teachers are very caring and work very hard to implement great learning skills and get our children college and career ready. They work well with the parents and make me feel that my children are in good hands. I look forward to the school grade going up and keeping it's great status. Way to go PS 71 staff and teachers!!!
Submitted by parent on October 26, 2013

The new prinicipal at PS 71 is friendly and open to speaking to the parents. She is an advocate for great education and has implemented workshops for the parents. She has also re-implemented celebrations for the kids (they need positive re-inforcement for the hard work they do after all). The parents are happy to see her face and know that she cares about the students and the school. She makes herself available to staff, parents and students. The teachers seem more at ease now then in previous years. The overall atmosphere is lighter and more energetic. It is my opinion that she will make PS 71 a Grade A+ school.