I had 3 kids @ QPS over 8 years from 2010-2018. It isn't perfect or for everyone, but it's…read morewonderful.
PROS:
1. Small Ratio- The ratio was usually 6:1 That allows for a small safe environment where your children are understood & challenged.
2. Progressive But Rigorous- I went to QPS looking for an environment that knew how to motivate children to participate & own their educational journey. They do that well. I didn't feel like they sacrificed rigor while doing that.
3. Great Community- There are very caring & smart families here. Families mostly come from around Queens & a few from Manhattan & Brooklyn. Despite the challenge of not being a neighborhood school, the families worked hard to keep the children connected.
4. Caring & Smart Staff- The staff rarely moves on at QPS. They are a tight-knit group. The teachers are allowed to work & improve upon their craft. They are dedicated to the school's mission & the children. They very much felt like partners in my children's life long educational journey.
5. Open Dialogue- QPS encourages dialogue & fosters an environment that creates this responsibility on everyone in the community. I always felt comfortable addressing concerns with QPS staff & administration. I did not always get what I wanted, but I always felt heard. I also appreciate that my children were comfortable expressing their concerns with QPS staff, even my most shy child.
6. Extras- The school incorporates arts & includes a multidisciplinary approach where possible. There is art, Spanish, drama, movement, belief systems (a favorite curriculum), and a rotation of electives. My shy child would never have discovered what a good actor she was, if not for QPS' drama curriculum!
7. Consistent Results from 3 very different children- I have 3 very different kids that I sent to QPS & I received 2 common traits- 1. I have students who are very conscientious about their educational goals. They understand homework is their responsibility & learning is their job & privilege. As my kids have transitioned to other schools, this educational work ethic has served them well. 2. I also have students who are comfortable articulating their opinions & their logic behind their opinions. I think QPS' open dialogue, group work, town halls, & class presentations prepare children for this.
CHALLENGES:
1. Space- QPS rents rooms on a 2nd floor of an art building at LIC. The staff works hard at security, but it is a shared building. There is no dedicated gym room, but they use facilities from LIC ballet- located on the same floor. There is no playground, but weather permitting they go to a local playground. Their location in LIC makes it so they can make quick and frequent field trips to Manhattan museums-without wasting the whole school day.
2. Progressive- There is probably more rigor & structure at QPS than other progressive schools. That was a plus for us, but may not be for others.
3. Extra-curriculars- With a small community there is limitation on things they can do because there are not enough children for sub-interests such as: Newspaper, debate, dance, music, band, robotics, & citywide competitions.
4. Middle school- There are too few kids at the middle school. For some kids, this is not a problem. I think socialization needs shifts in adolescence & this was the primary reason for moving 2 of my children out @ 6th $ 5th grade. My kids are thriving at their new schools, but they still desperately miss QPS and would switch back in a heartbeat.
5. Special needs- My youngest is dyslexic & we had to move her to a school that focuses on processing disorders. She was only @ QPS for K & 1st grade. While we struggled with understanding her needs, I felt the staff bent over backward trying to accommodate my child. Despite their best efforts, she was making very slow progress. There are, however, other families with kids with special needs & QPS works with them closely.
6. Too small- I like the small community & small school for my younger children and never had a problem with the small size. I did worry about this in middle school. It really depends on your child's social needs. This small community does forge special bonds. My children are still very close friends with their QPS friends and we will always be grateful for the closeness created in this small community.
7. Diversity- There is ethnic diversity at QPS but due to its cost & lack of scholarship funds, there is no significant socio-economic diversity. I did, however, find the families to be very low key about their financial backgrounds. The school does a good job of keeping excesses out of the school.
I highly recommend QPS if you prioritize love of learning, a school that knows your child and meets them at their passions, social-emotional learning, a small teacher/student ratio, & having partners in your child's educational journey.
