Is 51 Edwin Markham

80 Willowbrook Road

School District

New York City Geographic District #31
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for New York City Geographic District #31

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 January 29, 2025

Both of my children attended IS 51 and had a great experience. Mr. Mele has done a fantastic job at turning around a once terrible school. Are there problems like every other IS School that have a large mix of children from different families, of course, but it was nowhere as bad as I am reading in some reviews when my children attended. My youngest graduated in 2021 for reference
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2023

This school is a mini prison they could careless about your child's safety. They have gang activity drugs sex bullying smoking and the staff does nothing. My kid was wrongfully suspended for being bullied the Principal Mr. Melee is a warden. Politics and protocol is what they like to use. The violence is out of control opt your children out immediately my kids use to love school until they got here. There is a handful of teachers who do care but that's it. My kids literally have to look over their shoulders hoping they won't get attacked. Trust nobody. The lunches are disgusting make sure to send your child with their own lunch. This school needs to be shut down. I do not recommend your child going here unless you want them being treated like inmates and being harassed by staff and students.
Submitted by student on January 13, 2023

W teachers L administration and safetyKinda sad tbh
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2022

The school has a problem with violent students and the administrative staff does nothing from what it seems. I know they don’t return phone calls or emails. My child was bullied so bad we changed schools for next year and we’re not looking back. I hope your child knows how to fight. Good luck and be prepared….God be with you.
Submitted by parent on May 18, 2022

Terrible school. Had to pull .y kid out to homeschool.
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2022

This school is by far the worst, fear for your child safety when they step foot in this school. I was told by staff that There is really nothing they can do when it comes to bullying. Can you believe that. So I have to wait for my kids to be Severely harmed before something can be done. My son was a happy student and a happy kid full of light and Joey he used to love school he was the first one up in the house just so he can rush to school. I see a change in his mood and behavior my son is a mush he doesn’t have an ounce of hate in his bones but I see a huge change. Instead of letting this just happen they turn a blind eye to it.
Submitted by other on December 13, 2019

Below average to average experience. Brings in good programs. Teachers are mostly average. Admin mostly good.
Submitted by other on August 11, 2019

School ok overall. Teachers mostly average . Admin brings in good programs.As others reviewers said, I agree see below.Not a lot of bright students . Some students were placed in honors from elementary then put in Arista, making it a farse, they couldn’t handle a lot of the harder work so acted out & were a distraction, loud & annoying in ppls face minding others business. All about social not compliance.Looking at the proficiency of the school not lot of smart kids go here. Hope that’s changing.Several years back a few kids had report cards that look good bc their past school must’ve bolstered their work to get a better grade so they looked like honors but they weren’t in any way. There’s proof bc some could not handle math, common core, higher level regents & classes nor handle the SAT. There comes a time kids need to achieve & perform on own. It’s a leap for such types to be able to pass career subject test like teacher or speech therapist, or lawyer etc so don’t put them in honors it’s a false persona. Apparently there’s not enough true honors kids to fill seats.Honors classes & Arista need to be better &get the distractions out {would’ve been nice when we were there} who also struggle {math etc} to another class , it would be better for all, some of these misplaced honors students looking good on paper bc of padded grades hAd attitude problems when behaviors called out , get defensive & blame noticeably bullyish reaction {appropriately to their personality} so don’t put such types in honors to begin with , the school will get more out of authentic honors kids & will reduce the incidences of gossip, drama in top classes they find friends who are like them bc the kids didn’t belong in honors nor Arista to begin with, have more quality criteria it’s better for everyone around them, prevent problems by switch them out. Kids need good prep to get good jobs. These kids are in our kids classes, buses, stores, community so it’s our business to live well peacefully not entitled. Education begins at home, hold your kids accountable, not blame others for bad grades or bad attitude they need to earn a good life that requires introspection & growth.School still tries new programs . Still Offers help after school & test prep.
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2018

the worst school in ny state by far
Submitted by other on February 25, 2018

Mele&admin made IS 51 a v good neighborhood school. Staff & admin overall good have skills& smarts turning school around academically w a good school culture . School dealt well w the small portion of entitled kids& kid&parent clique complainers collaborating to blame teachers, others, whose parents didn’t hold their kids conduct,attitude responsible. Mr Mele& staff can see right through ppl & whats credible are v fair & utilize their skill sets with v good safety agents hopefully will be armed 1 day. Staff & dealt well w students disrupting &distracting class,mock-gossipers trying to get away w bullying,in others business,distracted so they act up { staff deal&keep those hyped types in check &refocus such types back on school}. Wished some less academic distracted hyper annoying students who had to cheat their way thru &distract the class were not put in honors or Arista {who knew what to say to get out of trouble coached by their parents} were put in a other classes not honors- some kids don’t have the discipline or interest making school about what or who they didn’t like,as if school revolves around them.The school is better as these type kids& parents graduate {it’s only some kids not many like this }move on to the next school &no longer a clique nor friends.Which is proof these try to be cool don’t follow rules packs students should be separated.Our schools & Communities { the ppl in communities are our community business}are much more positive &better without such types & cliques.Prayers for a continued successful school& thank you for your hard work. Not surprised to hear school is better year after year.
Submitted by other on February 20, 2018

year.v good leadership. Admin goodhandle on issues,gd programs,kids safe. Law&order school. NY state ed should review better consequences for hyped kids, although in good hands w Mele. After Parkland Fla ,releasing & records on kids let community know it’s our business it effects us so we can see who have a hard time dealing w emotions, stoking negativity &won’t talk it out to resolve -potentially violent but IS 51 Dealt well w aggressive kids&parents well, who go after staff,blame when they r wrong or bad grades.DOE should have stricter rules for outspoken kids&parent complainers,blamers who r the problem but don’t like their conduct called out.Need better chancellor regs for those kids needing attention,jealous or competing problematic types easily offended, bullies, false accusers esp when their actions were caught-accusations fly&defensive parents dont get past this admin. There’s only so much ch an administration n can do & 51 admin do it well.wrt Arista need stricter character requirements not accepting menacing stir the pot kids to honors class, it’s not for troublemakers, some have unchecked mental health issues taking it out on others,not looking to resolve type kids or cliques trying to dominate w unstable unresolved personal issues & lack of coping skills,w anxiety or depression go to school to blow steam disrupt, some cheat their way thru school, {while some parents bragging how smart their kid is,not knowing what kid is really doing}minding others business. Maybe after Parkland will be stricter criteria’s from state & at risk kids or menancing behavior types will be in check further w a police presence.Students types don’t deserve top classes without good character &a more selective criteria. Schools shouldn’t accommodate entitled kids ,who dont right wrongs . 51 admin put such ppl in their place but ppl who didn’t meet good character criteria were w top kids.ESP these days Wish DOE enforced regulations on kids who run their mouth, argue , these types dont belong in top programs &continue blame,angry types w personal issues. Saving gracethese kids & siblings graduate go seperate wAys classes &programs are markedly improved positively. Thank u 51.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2016

So far I am not having a good start. My daughter hasn't even started there yet and I have been talked down to. I have had some issues with her schedule. She is very creative and was dying to get into the creative design academy. When we found she didn't get in, and in fact they put her in media tech which she has no interest in whatsoever, she was disappointed to say the least. So, I decide to go up and try to get her in creative design.. which I feel if she is in a academy she loves it will engaged her in her academic studies. She has had a terrible time with common core and now has an IEP. So I go in to see what could be done. After some discussion, the secretary approaches me to say "ya know a women was in her with her disabled child who wishes she can go to school." Now.... As I wish all the children in the world were not sick... and I wish no parent to go through any of that, it breaks my heart... and I know so many other children are worse off... with that being said, should I not care about my healthy child? SHOULD I NOT TRY TO EASE HER YEAR WITH GIVING HER A POSITIVE BECAUSE SHE STRUGGLES SO???? Also, So inappropriate to say in front of my other 8 year old daughter. I was taken back by it. However, I said nothing and continued to place my daughter in a academy she was very interested in. Mr. Mele was very matter of fact... no super wonderful impression, although he got the job done, he couldn't have been anymore unsympathetic or bored. So this brings us to today. Since her classes were changed we have no schedule. So my daughter asked me if I can get her her schedule. Upon doing so I got a very annoyed women on the phone with a nasty reply "we are very busy here, your daughter will have to wait until the first day of school" and she hung up. Now as I know the thousands of calls they most likely get before the big day... I feel things like this should be dealt with professionalism because that is your job. If you cannot deal with the public don't choose a field that forces you to do so. I just pray for my daughter sake that this isn't a sign of more to come. As for me... I plan to stay far away of the uncaring staff. Also planning a back up plan of transfer. I am praying that the actual education and my daughter experience doesn't mirror the very pompous office staff.
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2014

I am so glad I decided to send my children to IS51. My oldest daughter begged me to take her to the open house 3 years ago and I was so impressed! Mr Mele has turned this school around. My daughter is now an 8th grader there and my youngest just entered 6th grade. The staff is fantastic. The assistant principals go above and beyond to know every student in their academy. I encourage all parents of incoming 6th graders to give this school a try! Dont go by a number..... It should be rated much higher than a four!
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

I love the staff at IS 51. Everyone including school safety, parent coordinator, School Assessment Team, principal, deans, teachers, paras, and PTA is always available, and willing to do their part in helping the students and school succeed. My son is very excited about the work he does in digital art. They have great academies that hold student interests and expectations of attendance and academics is a top priority. Keep up the good work.
Submitted by other on April 20, 2014

this school is a very good school and i like learning more stuff and being creative .my school should stop fighting and bulling each other
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2013

so glad to see this school was brought up to a "B" on the nyc progress reports..I've never seen a more dedicated principal and staff, offering a multitude of programs for these children! I'm so glad I decided to send my child here..she loves it!
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2013

Mr.Mele is involved in basically every aspect of the school. He is passionate about preparing the children for high school as evidenced by the change in academies and the addition of enrichment classes. The teachers are motivating and knowledgeable. My husband and I are confident that we have chosen the right middle school for our children.
Submitted by other on October 06, 2013

love school time ever school is amzing such as all the teacher like 6 grade art teacher and science teacher erin olsen
Submitted by other on September 03, 2013

I went to this school befor i am going into the 8th grade i want to stwitch my school because i got bullied alot and i wasnt a trouble maker i didnt have a big mouth i was the quiet student that did my work i was just a target and i dont want to go back to this school ever again i dont even want to look at it
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2013

I am willing to send my children to this zoned school. I heard and saw Mr Mele ( very approachable and motivated to have a great school) and admin deals well keeping the school safe. The admin is direct unlike typical admins from other schools. He brought in excellent academies, enrichment and programs. Due to this I am willing to send my honors children here. I hope with the new zoning the kids who are not zoned for this school that live in the projects or that side of the harbor and port Richmond should not get in this school. The students who like to come in late and make trouble home addresses should be verified and turned away have police check the residency if they are trying to get into a school they dont belong in, make this school more academic and more safe. Can have admin teachthe D students who misbehave in a inhouse classroom or recommend online academics for the students who only want to raise hell and not study. I hope if they deserve to be suspended and break regulations they are and thrown out not kept around thats key There are more good studentsand family who go here to learn.