Cityas reviews

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Shawnna Chase

google

3

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don brassco

google

5

my god bro was the first class MEL WILLIAMS....LOVE THE SCHOOL....

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Karin Bravin

google

5

My son was in the same private school in NYC from Pre-school through 11th grade. For financial reasons we had to switch him out his senior year. This is not an easy thing to do and we wanted to find a school that offered something different so that the transition would be exciting and rewarding and different from his previous experience. We had friends who's children had gone through City As and found it to be transformational, so after a terrific open house lead by Lucy Small, we were sold. In September there was an extensive orientation for new students so that helped with the transition. He was put on a three day a week internship/2 day per week class schedule. This suited him very well. Each cycle is 8 weeks long so after this you change your internships and classes. The catalog of choices for internships and the credits offered was stupendous: Museums, urban farms, veterinary centers, food and cooking services, hydroponic farms, social justice organizations, film and television opportunities, law office, political offices, medical facilities, some retail, a casting agency, and so much more Depending on how many hours you worked and which internship you chose determined credits received. For his first internship he chose the Animal Medical Center. Students have to prepare a paper (called a LEAP) after each internship that includes several components. They are also visited at their internship by staff from City-As. The quality of internships varies and in many cases it is up to the student to make as much of it as possible. But it can be very fulfilling. It is not just folding clothes or answering phone calls. It is hands on, learning experiences. His class choices were terrific as well. He had a social studies class called Guns In America for which he had to write a paper choosing a position and backing it up with documentation; He had an English class called Making Meaning that also had a paper due at the end of the 8 week session; and lastly a computer science class that he had to learn how to make his own website and present it to the teacher showing depth and understanding to get his credit. City-As does not provide grades they provide credit-no credit. There are no tests. However to graduate you need to complete four portfolio pieces (a comprehensive paper or project in math, science, social studies and English) and pass the English Regents. He took a class specifically designed to help with Regents preparation. My son worked hard and was engaged with the work. It may have been a relief not to have tests, however I would venture to say that made him more relaxed and therefore eager to learn. The papers keep him on his toes as did the class discussion. My son was there for three cycles and was able to graduate in mid- April. He did two other internships, one at a local TV station and another at a Documentary House. He had a wonderful geometry in Art class, a terrific Japanese Culture and Anime class, American Poetry in the 20th Century class where he had to create a portfolio of his own poetry based on the styles of different American Poets. The atmosphere is supportive and relaxed. The class sizes are very reasonable. The teachers are extremely hands on and were very willing to communicate with me if I had concerns. They offer after school academic classes and are always providing new and interesting forums: Career workshops, college days where different colleges come or there are field trips to local colleges; help with job placement during or after school. The college office was extremely helpful to me and I was particularily anxious about that since we had been at the same private school for so many years. He was accepted at 10 different colleges and will be taking a GAP Year - City-As is even helping with his plans during that year!

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Hasan Brown

google

5

Best public school in the city. Great teachers that sacrifice a lot. Great experience for students. Great environment for all. Love this school, I am a graduate... Make good choices. - Holly S.

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Ed Perkins

google

4

Graduated in '04. If you are attending City-As, it means you have probably struggled at some point during your high school career. I was no different. Without City-As, I probably wouldn't have graduated. I learned valuable life skills, and had some dedicated teachers. I am very grateful to have found this school. I graduated instead of dropping out or getting a GED like so many of my peers at other schools, went to a community college, eventually wound up at a four year school, and today I have a graduate degree. City-As is not perfect and still deals with many of the problems that public schools face, but I owe this school a lot.