Research New Explorations Science, Tech & Math public Schools in Port Chester, New York

“I've been attending this school since the 6th grade and i just entered my freshman year. 6th grade was my hardest year, but the school itself was amazing. After getting a new principal the Middle School has been extremely unorganized and has not been paid enough attention to. The High School and Lower School are much more organized and are good places to send your kids, although the Upper School is extremely overcrowded, with classes reaching up to 34 students when some have only 10”

“Love this school. My child started kindergarten this year at Nest and the work is very challenging. There are so many extras that keep the kids engaged like dance, music, art and chess. My daughter is happy and loves going to school every day. I guess my only criticism would be that they go a little easier on the kindergartners and focus more on socialization and play.”

“We only have been in the school for less than a year but so far, I am not impressed. Math and Science, Art and English are not challenging at all. Teachers and PTA are great and have the children at heart. Hope the level of the school will improve in the year to come. Transportation is really a problem if you don't leave in NYC and the PTA and Administration are absolutly not receptive to any request from the parent. Sad but true for a lot of project.”

“Our experience in the lower school this past year has been close to excellent. Although the new administration is not as outspoken as the previous one they have made many significant changes that I feel have imporoved the school significantly. The instroduction of 'clusters' where children may select a focus of study was both successful and rewarding. Languages are being introduced next year in the lower school which is somethng the old administration did not feel was necessary and bringing back on site after school will accomadate many working families. I also beleive we are in good hands in regards to the state wide curriculum change integrating science into the classroom. I believe the principal's background in this subject will certainly benifit the school.”

“NEST+M is the best school in New York City. First of all, all schools should have seemless curriculums, because this builds up the child's knowledge. NEST is the only school in NYC that provides Singapore Math to all children in the lower school, and I chose NEST for this reason. I dont believe that any other kind of math is good for building competence and confidence in math for the rest of the academic career. The Principal is brilliant and weaving her way through exteme BOE dictates while improving every aspect of the school. Bravo! The building and gym as well as dance room/music room are clean and well-lit, and we are extremely happy.”

“I was also eager to give the new principal a chance, but can now say that she is terrible at leadership, communication and management. This is not the same school. There is no longer any discipline. Before, if your child was in trouble or having difficulties, a note went home with the parent and the situation was immediatly addressed . This is no longer happens for any circumstance. I am concerned about safety next year when they increase the overall capacity of upperschool by 150 students.”

“We are a family that fought to give this administration a chance. We did, now can give a fair account of their leadership skills. Sorry, not good! The old administration told it like it was, if you don't like it, leave. But it was the truth, no surprises, goodorbad. This administration hangs a carrot in front of you, having you believe they will come through but never do. They feel no need to respond to questions or concerns. There is such a disregard toward parents, but worse, toward the children. Say they want parent participation,then take over with no regard for anyone but themselves, with no communication and lack of appreciation. They take over projects with ill results and expect gratitude.”

“Despite of name, math and science in school are very basic. Overall school's arrangement suits girls better then boys, which means that many boys are leaving the school. It is a bit unexpected for math and technology specialization.”

“NEST has been great for my child. He loves all the field trips they take. He loves his teacher, who is energetic and completely dedicated.”

“My 5 year old daughter started in kindergarten this year at NEST and she loves it. The transition to kindergarten is a difficult one and hers was very smooth. She was supported when she felt nervous and pushed to overcome her nervousness in very appropriate ways. The work load has been perfectly appropriate and it is thrilling to see her deveopment. The 'specials' have been wonderful - music, art, gym, language arts, dance and science. Overall she is thriving. The administration is not very accessible and is definitely onthe defensive side, but the teachers are very accessible and the administration does listen to parents concerns - you just have to figure out the best way to approach them!”

“My son is thriving at NEST and thinks it is 'the best school in the world.' They are really teaching him how to THINK and how to research. The level of parent involvement is amazing. His teacher is a smart, dedicated and warm professional who is 100% on the ball.”

“The school has amazing facilities, good academics, and an orderly but not amazingly supprotive atmosphere overall. My child's teachers (kindergarten and first grade) have been quite good. They definitely keep an orderly, quiet and friendly work environment - though not an exgtremely high level of excitement about the academics - at least as my child is concerned. The school's approach is a bit rigid in that they want all kids to develop at the same rate academically. However, overall I have found the school environment safe and conducive to learning. The homework is substantial, but not unbearable. The administration does not communicate in the best way with the school community, but I personally haven't had any problems. There is a very good chess program and other extracurricular activities though no regular afterschool program for lower school kids which is a problem for many.”

“I love this school. I know that it can be crazy, but my son loves school and the teachers are wonderful. What more could you want out of a public school?”

“My child is in second grade and is receiving a stellar education and loves school. Her writing and math scores have improved by leaps and bounds and her love of learning and sense of discipline is fantastic. I couldn't be happier.”

“unbearable academic environment, forget nurturing of kids - but there is no nurturing of love of learning - jump from one test to the next - nothing is taught in context. teachers are not terribly talented as teachers. teachers have to be willing to buy into educational style or leave. serious growning pains occuring. never experienced such a disenchanted parent body. there is no humanity or soul to the school at all. the kids on a whole are a pretty great bunch though and my child would be very sad to leave them.”

“Academic scores are great. Students have lots of homework. Music, Dance, Art okay, but not big on sports or gym time. Opportunities for parent volunteers at events/fundraisers, expected to contribute financially every year and PTA is a bit of a clique after witnessing elections. Heard kids are switching to Stuyvesant?”

“Very disappointing. The academics are fine, but the children are treated very badly, The administration is unable to listen, and seems bafflingly self satisfied.”

“NEST is like a bad catholic school. Discipline is at the core of their classroom management. Although the curriculum is Bank Street, NEST does not use a developmental approach. It is an extremely unhealthy environment.”

“My Middle and Upper school kids are doing great at NEST. Home work is tough, but from the beginning the school was very up-front about work load, so it is no surprise. As a working parent I am very pleased about the communication between school and home: weekly administration newsletter, PTA newsletter, bi-weekly electronic bulletin, PTA meetings, website and web resource page, parent workshops and the dreaded Parent Alert Letters (PAL's). If your kid misses one homework or fails a quiz, you get a PAL right away. The administration is totally student focused and some Lower School parents feel they (adults) should get more personal attention. Many of them had their kids in private pre-schools and expect the same kind of treatment. NEST has a Parent Peer Leader program to assist Lower School parent through this adjustment phase. As a G&T school, kids get revaluated every year. Kids that can't keep up are counseled out.”

“Quality of academic programs is very high. Availability of music is growing in middle and upper schools. Art and Dance are established programs. Not much extracurricular available, but the school is still young. Don't know how the kids would have time for them with the volume of homework they receive daily. Parent involvement is expected-especially during fundraising. Parents are not treated respectfully by the administration. Administration leadership becomes defensive (and sometimes belligerent) if parents express concern about the communication problems at the school. But thankfully, most teachers are excellent and many encourage parent involvement in a variety of ways. The school has the potential to be off the charts excellent, but as a parent that loves the school--I'm concerned.”

“Overall we are very pleased with the school and it's philosophy. We are very impressed with the research based curriculum that incorporates all of the different disciplines(ie: math, reading, science, etc.) by working toward the knowledge of a common subject matter, thus learning a great deal for instance, about 'apples' in one semester. This also helps make it a joyful learning process despite the rigor of the school's curriculum. Our child has had two top notch primary class room teachers. She is happy at the school and doing well. The administration and PTA have made an intense effort to achieve all that they are succeeding at in the development of this great school. But they have also alienated many well meaning parents that have voiced opposing ideas in the decision making and communication regarding the school. This is a source of discontent for many who have tried to participate in NEST's process.”

“The school's academics are great--our kids are challenged and learning much! The faculty is terrific: engaging, committed and skilled. The Curriculum is wonderful. The Administration habitually shoots itself in the foot, however, when it comes to effectively communicating. There is no dialog with parents. The one-way communication style varies in quality and ranges from 'no information,' hrough 'underinformed,' 'incomplete information,' 'misleading information,' and, in a couple of situations, 'misinformation.' Case in point: Recent post-storm cancellation of afterschool programs was stated as 'per Chancellor.' The Parent Coordinator had to issue a hasty retraction when it was realized that several families now send their children to afterschool programs at other schools (where there were no such cancellations). The Administration expects parents' support even when its policies are in conflict with our children's needs. If you can 'drink the Kool-Aid,' join the cult of personality and go with the flow, you'll do fine here.”

“I think it's overrated. very rigid classrooms and severe administration. parent-unfriendly.”

“I could not be happier with the teachers, administration and support services teams. My son has gotten an education at Nest+m, much preferable to the private schools he had attended for 7 years. He will enter high school at Nest+m in September and I could not be prouder. The school motivated and encouraged my son who feels loved and cared for like at no other facility. The school does demand a great deal of work - most great things in life do - but the student is well supported. There is a sense of interdependence at Nest+m that I have seen nowhere else. The students have advisory period first class daily with both teacher and elder student peer sdvisors. The PTA is very active in the school as is the Parent Coordinator who is fantastic. The wisest choice my son's mother made was in selecting Nest+m for our boy.”

“This school is not a very good school, my daughter in this school is doing very poorly in high school and this school doesn't give enough help to my daughter in such topics as chemistry. The faculty of this school isn't very good. This school doesn't really focus well on the kids education. If you're not in dress code you will have to be sent home. Kids get suspended in school for the smallest things, definitely shouldn't go to this school, they ask for money.”

“My son is in the 8th grade at NEST and will stay for HS. His middle school years at NEST have been a academic challenge for him but he has grown so much as a person and as a student. He enters HS with time management and organizational skills, advanced writing techniques, and Math A and Chemistry regents credits. Our first graduating class got into Yale, Wesleyan, UPenn, New Paltz, Geneceo, and other great colleges, so my son is really psyched about HS and his college prospects. One of the things he likes the most about NEST is havinng the little kids around. K-12 is the way to go!”

“My daughter is finishing her first year at NEST+m (6th Grade)! She had been in a parochial school from Pre-K to 5. The education she receives at NEST+m is so far superior to what we were used to. It constantly amazes me at the subjects she is becoming so versed in. There is a hands-on strategy used throughout the curriculum, teachers that encourage, and a true diversified population of students and teachers.”

“NEST receives a great deal of contributions from private donations therefore has excellent facilities and small class sizes. The problem is that the staff is arrogant and rude and lords it over parents at every opportunity that they are lucky to have their child attend. Academically, this school is not as strong as they like to profess that they are.”

“We moved our son over from an exclusive Private School to this relatively new Public School. We're amazed to see that NEST+m is actually superior. The administration sets a high standard and enforces it with love and discipline. Teachers nurture and lead. And the parent body is very involved and diverse. I hope this becomes a model for many NYC Public Schools.”

“I have two lower school children that are learning, very happy and safe at Nest+m. It provides a sharing environment for all types of children to participate, not only for the outgoing ones. The parent base in is extremely committed and active.”