P.S. 124 Silas B. Dutcher

Reviews (13)

• Review from the Spring 2024 Early Education Survey

  May 2024

  REVIEW: We started my daughter at PS 124 in 4K and she's now finishing up 1st grade. We absolutely love the school. The motto is "A small school with a big heart" and that could not be more appropriate. It's such a welcoming community and I love that school itself isn't huge and doesn't feel overwhelming. I also love the rich cultural, language, and economic diversity that is present at the school -- it creates a feeling of inclusivity that I feel is not matched elsewhere. This includes many newly arrived families. There are regular opportunities for family engagement and meeting other parents. Our daughter is in the Dual Language program (English/Spanish, begins in 4K) and I'm happy with the curriculum and with the teachers so far. My daughter loves the in-school music and art classes, loves her PE teacher, and really enjoys all the teachers and staff. The school also places an emphasis on social-emotional learning and my daughter loves her group counseling (I requested this support). The entire counseling team is incredible. We would 100% make the same choice again, and plan to send our youngest to 3K there in the 2025-2026 school year.; Amenities: Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals, Afterschool pickups to other programs; What would you change? I would love to improve overall communication to parents. The app used is great in a lot of ways, and is one of the better ones out there, and the school recently got an outdoor bulletin board, but a bit more information on events, successes, etc. would be well-received. Based on suggestions from parents and staff, the school is working to implement a monthly newsletter next school year and more recently revamped it's website with hopes of getting it to a place that provides more detail on the happenings inside the school.

• ISO feedback about PS 124 3K program

  January 2023

  my daughter was in the program last year and shes in PreK now at 124. We loved it, but more importantly my daughter loved it and her teacher. They had play stations or "centers" and alot of social emotional support. Highlights for us were the field trips / walks around the neighborhood / gardening classes and alot of communication with the parents. They also had a very sweet 3k graduation which I loved!

• Dual Language Programs at PS 133 and PS 124

  September 2022

  My daughter (english speaking only) was in the dual language program at PS124 with Ms Pena last year, and it was such a gift! To be perfectly honest, unfortunately, she didnt walk away with much of the spanish language under her belt - but I think that could partly be personal to her (she's shy, self-conscious and introverted, so found it very difficult to practice outside of class). However, Ms. Pena was an amazing teacher in so many ways! She helped with my girl's confidence, she was patient, she got to know her, she communicated with me much more often than any of my other children's teachers, she went out of her way to say hello/goodbye to both my daughter and other kids/me every day, she was strict in class - she taught the children discipline and respect, but also they had fun and they were a little community within a community. If the teacher is Ms. Pena....go for it!

• Review from the Spring 2022 Early Childhood Education Survey

  July 2022

  Location: 4th avenue and 14th st Type of facility: 3K Review: My child loved the teachers, the field trips, the school. Aftercare was annoying to coordinate but once I did it was great! What amenities does the facility have? Has outdoor space, Provides meals What would you change about the program, if anything? Aftercare on site Is there anything you would like to add about how the school is handling the pandemic? All good here

• Review from the Fall 2021 Early Childhood Education Survey

  December 2021

  Type of facility: Pre-K Review: To date, we've enjoyed the Pre-K program. Our daughter is in the bilingual (Spanish/English) class and we are happy with the teachers and structure. She enjoys the activities implemented daily (rotate through centers, have art, science, phys ed, and have lots of music/song-based instruction). Would absolutely send her again. What amenities does the facility provide? Has outdoor space, Provides meals Is there anything you would like to add about how the school handled the pandemic? I think overall the school is handling the pandemic well (in accordance with DOE guidelines). Masks are required indoors and outdoors and the class rarely mixes with other classes to limit exposure outside classmates.

• Review from the Fall 2021 Early Childhood Education Survey

  December 2021

  Type of facility: 3K Review: Our son received offers from a few 3K programs, but we decided to enroll him at PS 124 after a good conversation with the parent-teacher coordinator and the undeniable convenience it offered due to its proximity to our home. Overall, we're very happy with the program. He is in one of two classes, each with 15 students. His teacher is communicative and his day seems filled with activity, and I like the fact that he's getting a taste of "school" life while also remaining relatively sheltered within the 3K program. PS 124 does not offer any after-school or early drop-off for 3K students, so it's up to you to figure things out if you need childcare coverage outside of the 8:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m. school day, but thankfully the daycare our son was enrolled in over the summer was able to take him in the afternoons. This a NYC DOE school, so it's not perfect (I still haven't received a code to link my NYC DOE account with my sons after many messages and months of effort) and you get an endless stream of messages about goings on at the school that generally aren't relative to the 3K kids, but my son's happy and seems to be learning things, so in the end that's what counts. I am happy to recommend the 3K program at PS 124 to any parents who might be considering it in the future. What amenities does the facility provide? Has outdoor space, Provides meals What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? An after-school program for 3K would be huge! Is there anything you would like to add about how the school handled the pandemic? Masks are required and parents aren't allowed in for drop-off beyond the first few days. The kids in my son's class seem to vary on their masking -- some never seem to be wearing one in the classroom pictures we see, while others seem to be great. Much like the adult world, I suppose.

• P.S. 124 (Silas B. Dutcher)

  September 2021

  I have a daughter going into 1st, another going into 2nd, and a third daughter going into the 2nd grade dual language program. This will be our third year, but most of my experience has been during the pandemic, so under unusual circumstances, and none of the staff was particularly equipped, but they’ve all done their best. Like most of the world ;) The principal is lovely, and that seems to be trickling down, mostly.

• P.S. 124 (Silas B. Dutcher)

  September 2021

  My daughter attended Kindergarten there 2019-2020 (we only moved her because she had been placed out of district and we managed to get her into her zoned school for First Grade). We found the staff to be incredibly warm and supportive, from classroom teachers to office staff and also the principal who knew our daughter by name. Due to having already completed a year of formal schooling in the UK before she joined my daughter was quite far ahead of the rest of the class, particularly in reading and writing and they absolutely supported her in making sure she continued to push herself and develop even further. We were sad to leave such a lovely, friendly school.

• Review from the 2019–2020 Daycare, Preschool, Pre-K, and K Survey

  June 2021

  Review: Blended learning, the staff have worked so hard for the kids to make it happen. My son prefers learning remotely, but I'm glad he is able to be in school particularly for the dual language program. He is really picking up Spanish. Amenities offered: Has outdoor space, Has after-school options, Provides meals

• P.S. 124

  February 2020

  My son attends pre-k at 124 (he is in the dual language class). We really enjoy being part of this wonderful school. It was our top choice even though he wasn’t zoned and had a guaranteed spot in the UPK Class of a private school. My son loves going to school each morning - he rushes us to get out of the house. He has never had anything bad to say about his day. He adores his teachers. They have created a warm environment in which to learn - but he clearly respects them. They have taught the kids ways to calm their bodies and he uses these practices at home. He has learned a Latin dance, how to read and how to maintain hand control. Everything the teachers have them do - like opening their lunches and signing in to class each morning - Is a learning opportunity. From a parent’s Point of view, The teachers are very responsive and encourage parent communication. The principal is hands on (and one of the reasons it was our top choice). The support staff and officer are friendly and helpful; it seems everyone who works there enjoys being there. I have also found the parents and the PTA to be delightful. No one is pretentious. I have gotten involved in the some school/classroom events and the PTA or committee leadership is thrilled to work with you. Other parents and teachers value your time and effort. There is no expectation that you can commit your Time Or money. Likewise the kids in my son’s class are great. When I toured the school I saw how engaged and well mannered the kids were (the pre-k and older grades). It was pretty remarkable. There is such a strong commitment to the students. We love the small size and diversity. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles i hear other schools have - but I think because of that they are More Imaginative and resourceful. I feel like its the underdog school - Some say best kept secret. I have met two generations of 124 students. Those who attend and have attended get how special it is.

• 2019-2020 Year Review

  January 2020

  The school staff are great, although we have no comparison (moved from UK in May 2019, and this was our overflow site). They have done all they can to integrate our daughter. However, there are huge variances in the class for reading and writing and maths capabilities, and whilst the teachers do their best they cannot cater for all abilities. In my opinion they could be better at challenging the more advanced kids. … About the facility: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Has early morning hours, Provides meals … What would you change? This may be the case for all US schools, but our daughter went to a mandatory pre-school programme in the UK and could read and write confidently before she started at PS 124. The disparity between her (and others) and the kids who had just started education was stark and the school should identify this immediately and take steps to ensure the advanced kids are challenged, not held back. As a general point, the advice from schools and the DOE are completely inconsistent and you wonder who is right.

• Review from the 2019 PSP Daycare, Preschool Survey

  September 2019

  We have had an excellent experience with pre-k at ps124. The school has a wonderful community feeling and ms tait and ms woods have been the best teachers we could have hoped for. DETAILS: Has outdoor space, Has afterschool options, Provides meals

• (no subject)

  March 2013

  Recommended by PSP Member without review