PS 20 Clinton Hill School feedback

Our kid is approaching the age where we have to start wondering about pre-school. That means it's time to start thinking about what what we're doing for kindergarten and so forth.

Being a product of the NYC public school system, I value the idea of attending the neighborhood schools but want to do what's best. We're zoned for PS20, and I hear a lot of contradictory information from parents whose kids are already 'in the pipeline' there.

Most of the troubling stuff has to do with the principal. He doesn't know how to manage parents' expectations and funnel their efforts vs. he communicates great with parents.

I've heard there is higher-than-normal turnover on his staff since his arrival in 2005. I also hear one of the biggest goals (hardly unique, I imagine) is to overly focus on test scores rather than develop quality teachers.

This is in stark contrast - I'm told - to PS 11 and (to a lesser degree) PS 56, and the main reason for their relative success is that the principal is open to the parents (both longtime and <10 year- residents) and is able to pull them all in one direction.

I've also heard positive gossip about PS 9 in Prospect Heights, too.

I do understand that being a principal is a really difficult job, with multiple constituencies (teachers, staff, students, parents, BOE) pulling in different directions. I don't claim any of the above is true, though I've taken a tour of PS 11 and got a great vibe from the principal there.


Does anyone have any firsthand feedback about any of this?


Thanks.