20 Best Summer Programs In Staten Island, NY (2022 Updated)

My daughter was bullied by a large group of children wearing skirts, unattended by their parents, while in the fire truck area. She was yelled at and not allowed to play inside the dashboard wheel area of the fire truck. Other than that, I had a great experience and will definitely come back. Buy your tickets in advanced to make it easier for entrance. I also can’t wait for the marine section to open!! Yay! Visited on
Weekday

Wait time
No wait

Reservation recommended
Yes

Price for adult entry
$6–10Wendy Ballero

What a fabulous place to visit with children!!! I haven't been there for about 20 years, since my kids were young. Went with my granddaughter this past weekend and she ABSOLUTELY loved it. It was completely renovated with soooo many wonderful activities where kids can explore, play and create. 3 hours just flew by and she loved every minute! We will definitely be back!!! Visited on
Weekend

Wait time
No wait

Reservation recommended
Yes

Price for adult entry
$6–10E S

Really lovely experience. Place is easy to get to and has parking nearby. All of the exhibits are spaced out well and pretty well taken care of but some of the older ones are missing pieces. The water area is a lot of fun but be sure to bring sunscreen! The new bug area is great! Visited on
Weekend

Wait time
No wait

Reservation recommended
Yes

Price for adult entry
$6–10Sydney Offner

As a 2017 high school graduate,I highly recommend this school if your looking for a stellar education and a second home. I thank this school for the education and many friendships I've received throughout my time here. You will be highly prepared for the college world once you attend this school. Thank you Hill.Thanamara Hyacinthe

I graduated from the Grammar School in 1967 and my sister graduated from the High School the same year. We are returning tomorrow to celebrate St. Joseph's Day with the Sisters. It has been a well respected school for a long, long time. Looking forward to our visit.Bill Wallace

this school is great completely respectable and great education my girls are so happy but my bank isnt LOL 5 of my beautiful daughters are attending this school and they love it thank you hillDarry plays

We arrived as public session started paid $50 for my 2 daughters & myself to skate. First off we had a tough time even getting on the ice. There was only 1 door open to get on which was packed with people videoing & taking pictures. The skate guard was just standing there talking to his buddy. While we skated it was a free for all. People skating wrecklessly in all directions which cause my daughter to fall. While a figure skater was practicing a spin she almost kick a kid in the head because he darted through center ice that was coned off for them. I left so my kids didn't get hurt. My first time back in 20 years & never again.Richard Martucci

Great experience. My child started ice skating lessons when she was five and ten years later she still wants to go. Great sport to keep kids active, healthy and develop their social skills. The building facilities are well kept and you can buy what you need for ice skating at the new store right up front. Let's not forget the beautiful shows performed by students and instructors and the exciting hockey games. The skating school also provides Pre-K, summer camp and summer lessons. The staff at the Pavilion and skating school is professional and very friendly.Ruth

Bad experience! Arrived with my 3 daughters & was turned away. I was told the rink was open and when I arrived at the expense Of an Uber which cost me $34 Each way I was told the rink was not open to the public. In the meantime there were several people skating and enjoying themselves I do not understand why I was turned away and my daughter Who’s 10th birthday it was had to be disappointing and not allowed to skate. I will not go back there I will not advise any of my friends to go there. terrible experienceTina Borzumato

After searching the internet and pouring through reviews I found this gym. I called up the owner (Sal) and I immediately got the impression this was a place worth checking out. When I met Sal I was greeted by a genuine person who's taught me a great deal about the sport in a non judgemental encouraging and positive manner. The gym itself is amazing. There's a full size ring and plenty of both cardio and weight lifting equipment. There are several bags of different assortments: heavy bags, water bags, slip bags, they recently installed a wall bag for uppercuts and placing shots like hooks and what not. What's more important than the excellent equipment is the staff and I can say with confidence every coach/trainer here has something important to teach you within the realm of fitness and/or boxing. There is a good mix of boxing oriented fitness routines and actual boxing. Staff/coaches/trainers here all carry a judgement free positive attitude. They're highly approachable and knowledgeable in their own right. This is a comfortable work out space no matter what level of experience in this sport you may have. There's a lot to list so I may miss some things but I would be remiss if I did not mention the children's classes. Both my son and daughter attend and they can't get enough of the kids classes. They go several times a week and are met with both an engaging and fun boxing oriented work out circuit. They would go 5 days a week if I let them. I've personally taken the step up to partake in the sparring program and I wasn't sure how it would go but I've learned more in these last few months than I did at other gyms over much longer. So shout-out to Gary, Joe and Sean. You guys run a great program. Each sparring coach is skilled, patient with novices and will teach you how to effectively navigate a live sparring match. They were able to provide a safe and effective live combat environment. Even if you're someone with a decent amount of experience and are looking for a new fight club these guys will give you good work. This is a great way to learn the sport and it's been a privilege working out here. From a boxing fitness gym standard this place was everything you'd expect but it passes the litmus if you want to delve deeper into the sport and step in the ring. There's a lot to like here and there's apparently something for everybody; there are several social events and programs and they're always adding things.G

I found out about this gym when I heard they had a kids boxing fitness class. I have three children very close in age and my oldest is autistic so I wanted a community class that he would be able to join. They offered a free trial so I took them and they all loved it, some cardio, obstacle courses, and boxing all in one class. The kids and instructors are amazing with my son and I have seen such a difference in him such as attentive, more focused and made many friends from kids to adults. I am so grateful for that because I know in my sons journey Sal and his staff make a big impact on him. Each trainer is amazing with their different techniques which make each class you attend different, fun and more effective! I myself watched these adult classes as well as privately trained and wanted to try and I got hooked! This gym has a lot to offer, I utilize the personal training , classes as well as the 3d body scan ! This gym has helped me distress and feel more confident about myself , I have never felt better ! Call today and try a free class you won’t be disappointed!!!Gina Stringile

I love this place so much that I don't even live in the US but I come here every time I'm in NYC (!!!!). This is a legit boxing gym – not the "trendy" punch bags without any technique BS you find these days. Sal and Gary are absolutely amazing instructors – I recommend taking 1:1 sessions with them and alternating between the 2, you will learn different things from both. FC Chaos has a strong culture and atmosphere. Sal knows how to run a business better than most people, and he's probably younger than the majority of them doing it out here. Given that I live abroad I appreciate the flexibility Sal offers. He has a very positive energy and that makes a huge difference. The workouts are creative and they are always switching things up. I'm super glad this place exists <3Rabia Murtza

Hello everyone, I have recently attended Saint Joseph by the Sea and was interested on writing a well needed school review. There are many points that I would like to go over but the first is to not trust that other large review on this page. I recognize the writing and the simple spelling errors that come with writing something fast and not proof reading it. That large review was written by the current principle of the school whom i will not name for his sake, so please do not take that review seriously and please, make the decision to go to sea yourself. You, the reader, may have heard that Sea has a great warming environment, this is false. The administration, specifically the deans and school heads are cold people who care about nothing more than the dollar bill and how much the school profits. They will never go out of their way for a student and will never offer a helping hand. Some teachers are truly magnificent people, but others do not know the different between their right and left hands. If you were wondering,yes this does effect grades highly. You will not learn much here unless you are lucky enough to have a select few teachers. Unfortunately, these teachers are leaving faster than iphone 5's left the shelves upon their releases. College is a nightmare. Although I am able to formulate a paper well, the admission process was rigorous and much more difficult than that my friends went through in their respective schools. Most of my credits were accepted so that is a plus, but I will tell you that it was not easy to get them that way.Recent Sea Alumni

My experience so far, with St Joseph by the Sea, has been a great one. As a parent, I couldn't ask for anything more of a high-school experience for my son. So far I am extremely happy with his success in this school and look forward to the coming years ahead.Annmarie Scamordella

best school this side of the universe , everytime i walk in herer , i get racially profiled cause im a white , truly offended , best school evarrrr , rawr xd-Anthony Carlucci

I can not say enough great things about NORY camp and the team. Both of my kids ages 3 & 5 have attended the robots and science camps and have loved every minute of it. The teachers are amazing and Matthew the Founder is so accommodating. I called "Peter" who was running the program on the UWS and spoke to him about my son and some of his struggles. Peter ensured he would advise all of the other teachers and even sent me a picture and text me a quick report on how my son was doing. During the last snow storm we received an email form Matthew the founder who advised all of the parents that he knew we relied on him and his team to care for the kids since school was out and that they would absolutely be open for camp even in the snow. They are understanding of how much working parents need to rely on these camps when school is out and they are always my go to camp for my kids. We love NORY!!! The teachers are great, they are excited to teach the kids and keep the day full or amazing activities. I highly recommend trying them out. Karen (Mom of 2 UWS location)Karen Fusaro

Peter NORY first found me a piano teacher many years back. He personally came to my place to ensure that I had a good experience. Over the years I have taken my kids to his camps and had a teacher at my place for robotics. I have always had a wonderful experience. NORY is a good company and truly cares about customer experience and brings quality programs to the kids. When I hear about their camps I know that I am in good hands. Check them out!!Pearl Gopalani

Camp Nory is an excellent STEAM camp for kids! My daughter loves the camp and looks forward to attending. She comes home with the most creative projects that provide her with a nice introduction to science. I know that this camp is responsible for peaking her curiousity in science. She calls herself The Science Kid! Peter, Matt, and staff thank you so much for facilitating this program and fostering an early love of science for my kid!S Hicks

The progress my children have made at Where Little Minds Grow is incredible. Each staff member is amazing, patient, and accommodating. This program is accepting and inclusive of children who have all types of abilities. My children have learned to communicate better, regulate, make more friends, and develop skills that will help them throughout their lives.Randee Donnelly

AMAZING staff- Jenna, the owner, Danielle M, the manager, truly love their career and help their employees and EACH and every student who walks through the front door. Staten Island needed this. Thank you Jenna, for making this "place" (home) so special!Desiree Adone

Staff is knowledgeable and dedicated . The facility has tons of different programs and activities to accommodate your child. I only take away one star bc. lobby area can get hot and crowded.Jaime Center

I’m very happy that I found SB4U Academy with great coaches and quality training all around. They built in skills like teamwork and good sportsmanship which was really fun to watch from the sidelines. You see your kids grow and develop socially and physically week after week. They teach them discipline and respect for others. Also SB4U Academy offer year round league games and seasonal soccer camp. We really enjoyed our first season with SB4U. My son loves his teammates and his coaches especially Coach Basem.Anita Antczak

Amazing academy to send your children to if you actually want them to learn how to play soccer and undergo character development. My nephew started his soccer career here. At first he hated the idea of playing soccer, however, his first day at SB4U Academy made him fall in love and he never looked back at his life without soccer. Awesome staff and a wonderful family that all of the teams become. Really an experience for your child to learn and grow, not only within the sport but as a person! 1000% recommend.Elizabeth Gallo

I was a coach at Soccer Best 4 U for a couple of years. I loved how the club was so dedicated to teaching the fundamentals of soccer. Ernest, the director, is a very forward thinking coach in the Staten Island and Brooklyn area and I really appreciate how he mentors young coaches, and instills confidence throughout the club. Your child will gain tons of experience and knowledge within this club, as well as have a fun, and challenging experience during every practice!Andrew Perez

I wish there was a option for me to give this school zero stars because i would, i had a terrible experience with them, i went to their forest ave office on February 23rd 2022 and paid 630$ for a 10 lesson package i was told they would call me back once they have a instructor that's available. I had been waiting since February and finally got told that they had an instructor available for me in march and that they have booked all of my 10 lessons. I started taking my lessons from May until june. My instructor was Shannon. She was very sweet but unfortunately she did not teach me how to drive properly, i was never taught how to turn the wheel using hand over hand and i didn't like how she was just giving me directions on how to drive and sitting there quietly half of the time. . I had to learn on my own how to turn the wheel in pieces. I had people ask me are you sure you have taken 10 lessons because you don’t know anything about driving…. I stumbled upon this driving school called Delight Driving school. I am currently taking lessons with Kamila and I have had lessons with the other instructors as well. They are very patient with me and teach me step by step. I wish I never came to island driving school and wasted my money and time on them. VERY DISAPPOINTED….Zahara Zahid

I will not recommend them. They are terrible in terms of scheduling, rescheduling, cancellation. They would try their best not to refund your money. Therefore stay away from them. I enrolled my daughter by mistake. I was searching another school but it popped up by trick and I end up buying a package for my daughter. One lesson went okay but one day an old lady showed up without any information or confirmation. She was sitting infront of our home doing nothing. I recognized the car and asked her, she told me there was a lesson scheduled. I explained her and called the office to explain that my daught is in college, and no one has booked any lesson or we never have received any notification regarding this lesson. They refused to give credit and refund of remaining balance. I was shocked, and thought this is my moral duty to inform community to be very careful from them.Muhammad Sami

Island driving was the best decision I’ve ever made when it came to learning how to drive. The instructors are VERY patient and knowledgeable in teaching you the do’s and don’ts. Lenny B was my all time favorite as he really explained a lot of the concepts to me that really helped my driving skills improved. He takes his time and explain cohesively in a manner in which I can understand, he made me feel very comfortable in the vehicle and on the road. I bought a package where I received 4-5 lessons(I think), car for the road test is included, in addition to them making the road test appt for you and I also purchased the mock test( not required but I recommend). I passed my road test the first try with little to no driving experience prior, if I can do it, you can. Overall, this is a really great school, great quality instructors, great customer service 10/10 recommend.✨Keshaun Duncan

Vinny has taken great care of my two English bull terriers while I have been stationed in NY for three years. Bullet is a 9 year old who suffered from abuse before I rescued him. Echo is a 4 year old who is deaf and incredibly high energy. Vinny has had such a calming effect on Echo. I can almost see how Echo thinks before jumping on people, stops when I signal to him, trying to decipher what I want him to do, and trying hard to be obedient. I know that this is all because of Vinny's interaction with him. It makes me work harder at communicating with both pups so they understand.I am a Coast Guard officer and constantly have to travel for work (with very short notice) out of state. Vinny was always incredibly flexible with accommodating my pups. They absolutely loved being campers at Camp Ruff Ruff and hanging with the other campers as well as Mickey.I always had boarding for my dogs at Veterinary Hospitals because my dogs demand such attention, they are very high energy, they have special diet needs, one is deaf and one is an escape artists who runs away the second he senses freedom. Once I saw Vinny's interactions with them and understood how knowledgeable he was, I trusted him 100%. I trust no one else with my dogs. Just Vinny and his crew!They always treated my pups like family! Now we are getting transferred to Portland, OR and the boys will miss their best buddy for sure. I know I will never find anyone who will care for them the same way when I'm away.Honest and trustworthy: Vinny was kind enough to walk my dogs as well. He had a key to my place and I never had an ounce of worry at all about my place, my belongings or my dogs. On the contrary, he always made me aware of any issues. One example was when my carbon monoxide detectors where alarming.No rating scale has enough stars to convey how much Vinny cares about animals. He took care of my pups thru Bullet's ear surgery and Echo's constant knee troubles. Always updating me on how they were doing while I was away. Vinny and his crew are true professionals. They are honest folks who love animals and do this out of love for dogs, not money.I will continue to recommend Vinny to all my Coast Guard friends who get stationed in the area. Camp Ruff Ruff is the best!Theresa Bigay

My husband and I relocated to New York from Georgia. For the 2014 Holiday Season, we had to find a kennel for Sunshine, our fear-aggressive, 3-year-old American Eskimo. Previous kennels we had visited required Sunshine to be put through a "stress test." This usually meant a staring contest and then waving hands in front of her face. She failed all of these tests. I tried to explain to kennel owners that Sunshine was fully capable of behaving well given the correct approach. For example, she had successfully stayed in a kennel in Georgia. However, we could not find a good fit and thought about canceling our trip. That's when we found Vinny and Camp Ruff Ruff. Vinny drove to our home to meet Sunshine for the first time. Because he knew exactly how to read and interact with a fear-aggressive dog, Sunshine became comfortable with him immediately. Vinny then suggested a carefully orchestrated meeting with Mickey (a permanent Ruff Ruff camper!) to see how Sunshine handled being around another dog. Vinny gave me guidance throughout this second meeting on how to read Sunshine, and the meeting was a success! To ensure the best possible situation for Sunshine, Vinny suggested one overnight stay at Camp Ruff Ruff before the 11-day trip. The brief stay was also a success. I should point out that in the past, some trainers have expressed doubt that Sunshine would ever be able to be in the presence of strange humans and dogs. Vinny and Camp Ruff Ruff proved that with the right combination of expertise and patience, it was possible for a fear-aggressive dog like Sunshine to live peacefully in a cage-less kennel with humans and dogs!! Needless to say, we were able to make our holiday trip after all. Vinny sent photo updates of Sunshine and we felt completely at ease knowing she was in the best possible care. Sunshine came home with noticeably more confidence and even listened to commands better. Thank you, Camp Ruff Ruff, for taking such amazing care of our girl!!Kathleen Raven

I had booked a trip to Nashville and was looking for a new sitter to watch my dog. I wanted someone who understood dogs (and not just loved them) and actually boarded dogs as part of their profession. The fact that Vinny is also a dog trainer and understands all things "dog" really helped me feel comfortable leaving Gunner with him and his family. Vinny sent me pictures and updates frequently and I knew Gunner was in good hands. What started out as a 4 day vacation wound up being longer due to the blizzard that hit NYC. I was a little stressed about the storm because it meant extra boarding cost and having to figure out when I got back if I would be able to dig my car out to pick him up. Vinny put me as ease. He told me he would give me a blizzard discount and even offered to drive Gunner to my apt if I wasn't able to pick him up when. It all worked out in the end and needless to say I wouldn't hesitate to use Camp Ruff Ruff again in the future. Thank you for taking good care of my pup. Gunner is looking forward to his next stay!Lisa Stornaiuolo

Very pleased with the jump in the Math portion of SAT score. My son was going elsewhere and was not making much progress since the sessions were generic and not necessarily focusing on what he needed. The one on one attention has resulted in over a 100 point jump in math. He is continuing the sessions since the tutor is willing to tailor each session to his individual goals. Right now it's regent prep. He will continue the sessions throughout the summer, and beyond the next SAT administration, into next year so that he will be on track with calculus as well. I am very impressed with the flexibility and sincerity of Doug and the staff at Gold Key. I highly recommend their outstanding services.cgfshop cat

Gold key academy is a phenomenal tuturing center that is conveniently located in my area. My kids have benefitted from using there services on multiple occasions while quite recently so have I. I found their tutoring professionals to be extremely reliable, efficent, accommodating and their prices very reasonable. At any time of the day, they were there for us. My children and I owe them our achievements in excelling all of our exams with great scores. Thank you gold key for being there for us, we will for sure continue using your services.👍👍👍👍👍rachel leibovici

Amazing experience with Gold Key and their TACHS review class. Tutors Arva and Hector are extremely experienced, reliable, and overall, my daughter says just so nice! She increased over 20 points in just the first 6 weeks!!! Douglas has been wonderful and there from the beginning as well, immediately answering phone calls and helping with any questions and concerns. He thoroughly explains your child's scoring and advises what he feels can benefit them. Overall, I highly recommend Gold Key for all of your tutoring needs.lynne licitra

My daughter has been attending lessons here for just about 2 years now. She loves it. Sir Eddie is great with the kids and i see a drastoc improvement in her focus and determination. The facility is clean and the kids all wear masks, keep distance and sanitize their hands before and after class. Sir Eddie shows that the kids and their safety are whats important. He takes time with each child to improve their abilities. I highly recommend trying it out you wont be disappointed.Marissa Birmingham

Instructor Eddie is amazing! He always puts his students first, no matter what. And kids love Instructor Eddie, he teaches taekwondo with perfect combination of discipline and fun. I cannot describe how happy and how lucky I am that I met an Instructor like him.K K

My girls been attending Champions school for two years . They love it, Sir Eddie is fun, and stern that what my girls needed. My girls build so much confidence, and self esteem. DEFINITELY worth trying because your child will fall in love with it.Mrs Luchen

An excellent training center for kids who love the game. Both my sons have taken lessons and continue to take lessons and attend clinics given by Anthony and his team. Both boys one 6 and one 11 have gotten so much out of every session. Their game has improved tremendously since starting with Shooting School. The coaches are all so focused on the kids, where they need to excel, always paying close attention to the littlest details and explaining to the kids how to get it right. They don't just say "good job" and move on. They are patient and make it a great experience for the kids. We have been going to Shooting School for two years now and the boys love it and so do we. Anthony is so friendly and always available for questions and concerns. Worth every penny!eml516 L.

The coaches are very knowledgeable and patient. They make the drills fun and always give the kids positive reinforcement. I tried other places for my son and none of them compare to how Anthony and the other Coaches trained him. The “Personal Training” classes where great for him. He got the one on one training that took his game to another level. Knowing that I enrolled my daughter in the same corse. Now she’s in “Unlimited Instruction”. Because of the great experience we had with her brother training with Coach Mike and Anthony we knew this was place for our daughter . Her skill level and knowledge has increased immensely and we credit this to the great coaches at Shooting school.Louie Riccardelli

My kids absolutely love Shootin’ School! They have participated in their camps, clinics and one-on-one instruction and always have fun while strengthening their skills on the courts. Even during the pandemic, Shootin’ School has been able to offer safe, socially distanced lessons and camp and has given my kids the chance to participate in normal activities during these crazy times. The instruction is stellar and has really helped my kids learn great techniques and improve their game. They also really love all the instructors! Anthony is a pleasure to work and I highly recommend him and his program to all my friends and family. You won’t be disappointed!Joanna Pierro

The staff at Huntington Learning Center are friendly and helpful. They answer any questions or concerns you have. They even set up meetings with you to tell you about your child's progress and what they are doing, step by step. They are wonderful with the kids, show interest in what is important to them, and they really care, not just about their progress in their work, but also how the kids are feeling. When I walk in, I always feel welcomed and comfortable there. The staff are always smiling and enthusiastic. I can hear the teachers from the lobby greeting the kids warmly and I see them leaving with big smiles on their faces. I had the fortune of being able to witness a boy in the lobby receiving a student of the month award and being congratulated for their hard work. I have seen kids walking out with stickers and certificates as rewards for good work and it is so sweet to see the smiles on the their faces. To see my kids having a good time doing school work in the summer time and wanting to go back, is amazing in itself. I love hearing things like, "I'm really learning a lot!" or "Can I stay?" Thank you to the teachers and staff for making that happen. If you want the best, do not look any further!kelly taylor

Although my daughter has only been here a short time, after years of tutoring, just running in circles. Once she started Huntington, she went from first grade level to just about third grade level, in just over two months.. not to mention her confidence is night and day!!! My daughter is enthusiastic again about school & learning. Huntington goes back to the basics and they get to the root of the problem, I highly recommend Huntington Learning Center for any child that struggles in a subject or academically.. Lastly they always make sure the parents are met with once a month to get in a step-by-step understanding of where their child was at & is now and what they’re working on well worth the money!!!Melissa Poesl (Ɱıą)

After 3 months of in person one on one tutoring at Huntington my son scored 1540 on his SAT, which was an improvement of 260 points over his PSAT score. I found Lauren, the executive director, was interested and involved in my son's performance. I do recommend that anyone hiring tutors for their children to discuss the quality of the tutor with their child as it varies greatly depending on the individual. The service was expensive but competitive with similar services offered by other companies. Overall I found Huntington to be a good value and I recommend their services to other parents that are looking to hire tutors for their children.Michael Brown

I am a student who goes to this school so it be in your best interest to trust me here. This school is a school that goes beyond limits of the education they teach in public schools and enhances that and creates a brand new foundation that is worth your time. I mean seriously kids are learning algebra so fast in this school and it shows what kids are capable of. The teachers have reserved hours for students to come in and study and ask questions which really shows how strong the teacher and kid relationship is compared to others. It also holds special events that really let the kids socialize with others. But it can be very stressful for students so make sure students are mentally prepared for the long homework nights and study nights. Thus this school is a great school and pushes the boundaries of others.GNG 12

Terrible executive administration led by individuals with little to no leadership, managerial, or problem-solving skills- mostly incompetent; high staff turnover; low morale among students and staff; some great teachers most of whom receive nearly zero support from adminstration; no consistency or structure on the logistical side of things–lots of talk, little action; and the list goes on, which is too bad for the studentsD. G.

My oldest son started kindergarten this year and we love it. Can't say enough great things about this school. Teachers, administration, building itself, head of school – everything is superb. Education redefined indeed! Very happy with our decision sending him to Basis and our youngest will start there as well as soon as he is old enough.Liza Zeneski

We absolutely love Amerikick Staten Island. Our Daughter Aidaluz loves attending. Very clean and the entire staff are very welcoming and attentive. They motivate her to do better and be more confident and motivate us as parents to attend and continuing supporting her goals. So glad we joined, can’t wait to continue to see our daughter excel in this amazing program.Awilda Rodriguez

I do the kickboxing fitness class here and I highly recommend it to anyone at any fitness level. I started after years of not working out and was able to jump right in. Sensei Elvis is great at motivating and pushing you and makes the classes very enjoyable. The 45 mins fly right by and I love it! Definitely try this place out.selena galindo

I love this school and highly recommend it! All of the senseis and miss Jen are amazing! They greet your child by name and make the classes super enjoyable for even the youngest of students. My son absolutely loves going here and looks forward to it. Thank you all so much for your hard work!Nehal

If you asked me how this school was a couple of years ago, I would say pretty good. Now? Terrible. Because of the pandemic, several very troublesome kids have come to this school, and quite frankly, made the class experience miserable, especially in the middle school. If you dare complain to a teacher about this problem, they will either say "you're overreacting," or take the bully's word and punish you. Trust me, I know from experience. That's not the only problem though, the lunches have also gone downhill, as with most schools. I remember back when in 2016, 2017, they made lunches in the school. There were also multiple options as to what your lunch would be. Now? Lunches come from an outside vendor, and on top of that, you have no option as to what you have for lunch. One option for the day, and if you don't like it, you have no lunch, better bring some. The one option you have most times isn't even good, just your average public school boiled hamburger, or a meatball that I don't even know how it got paint on it. Mind you, you'll have to pay near $10,000 for a year at this school, maybe even higher. $10,000 for a year at this "Christian non-denominal private school," that may as well be a public school if they didn't teach Christian values. Not to mention, these "Christian values" result in some types of people getting rejected altogether simply because of religion or some other thing. I'd love to see this school if they ever crack down on these issues, but for now, this school is some place I never want to go to again.Mega Yanmega

Discriminatory. Unresponsive. Unprofessional. Unfortunately there is no option for 0 or negative stars. I was extremely hopeful to send my toddler son to this school, and complete his whole lower, middle and high school education. I have been active in the Gateway Church community. Upon submitting an application I have been treated with complete and utter dismissiveness. Between making multiple phone calls, showing up in person, and sending emails, no one has taken a minute to return any of my forms of contact. I believe that after I submitted my son’s application to the 1s program, and the school learning of my family status, they have completely blocked my sons from being able to obtain a fair chance. I even went as far as to send the executive faculty staff emails of my concerns and they do not even have the consideration to respond. When I finally got ahold of the principal I was explained that they didn’t want the image of their school to be tainted by our acceptance. This game of trying to reach someone has been going on for months. I even submitted an application for the 2’s program because he was about to age out and I still had not received any return phone calls. Be weary if considering this school. The discrimination that they they have shown in a passive aggressive nature makes me question the way in which they are teaching and molding young minds. It’s disturbing.Michael Cascone

Pretty good school in my opinion! I went here from pre-k all the way through 5th grade, both my parents and I enjoyed my Christian education and the amazing teachers and staff at the academy. During those years I was there, the classrooms were warm and welcoming, the cafeteria and gymnasium/auditorium was always kept clean and neat. The curriculum I was taught during those times were pretty good, perhaps more emphasis on the math or science concepts would have been more beneficial leading into middle school but overall I felt I have always learned so much each day. The teachers and staff members have instilled good values in me and students there as well. Although I wished there were always more organized team sports or athletics in the past, I do see the school has made continuous efforts and formed competitive basketball and archery teams recently. Something I believe would make the school better is to have a more diverse student population of different ethnicities and backgrounds. A diverse student population helps young students learn about having an open mindset that would ultimately prepare them for the real world. I have made a lot of long lasting friends at Gateway and still keep in touch with many of my teachers today! I would recommend this school if you are a family who enjoys a friendly atmosphere than compared to other larger private schools around Staten Island.Bonnie Chang

My children have been learning and growing here for the past few months. I'm so happy to share that I was able to see first hand one of the techniques taught here was applied like second nature when my daughter fell off her bik, fortunately she fell the right way and did not get hurt. These are great skills that you will see carry outside of the academy and into other areas. They have fun here and the comradery is unlike others I've seen. I'd highly recommend this place if you are interested in learning great self desfense.Vinenis Guillere

My both sons started going to Codella Academy for about two months now. They couldn’t be more happier they have learned so much. They look forward to every Monday and Wednesday night especially during these times when they haven’t been in school for over a year. The instructors are top-notch they take time to show how to do the moves correctly and most important they care about the kids. I would definitely recommend signing up your child to Codella academy.JJ. Jeske

My kids have attended Codella for over three years. The instructors are amazing. They are patient, knowledgeable and truly dedicated to their students. These past years I have watched my kids grow from timid little things to self-confidence self-assured kids. I would highly recommend Codella to any parent who is interested in having their kids learn self-defense while also having a lot of fun.Philip Musico

My daughter has been coming to DEA, Rosebank location for the last 8 years. She was not yet 4 when she started with piano and art and immediately took to them. Over the years, she has taken voice lessons as well as theater and still continues to take piano and theory lessons. This is a great place for kids to start off, find what they love and continue. The staff is proficient and friendly and provide a safe environment. Annual recitals are a great exposure for the students as well. Highly recommend this school.Tilanga Jayakody

Very knowledgeable, helpful and skillful instructors for piano and guitar. Administrative staff is also pleasant and flexible in schedule. Update: We have Elis as our new piano instructor. He has been teaching since few months now and I can see further improvement in my child's piano skills. Also, I was initially skeptical about online teaching, but now after few weeks of watching him teaching online , I don't see any major differences in the teaching style. Very glad to have my child learn piano at DEA.JIMMY CHRISTIAN

My daughter has been taking voice lessons at DEA with Mark for a little over a year now and we are so happy with the progress she has made as a vocalist. I have recommended DEA to several friends with children who either want to take vocal lessons as well, or learn to play an instrument, and everyone I send there has been more than satisfied. It’s nice not to have to travel into the city , yet still be feel confident that my daughter is getting top notch instruction right here on Staten Island!Michelle Marie

I never write reviews about anything but I had to write this review about DEA. The school is AMAZING. My 6 year old daughter started there after taking some private singing lessons and working with a different school/acting company. There is absolutely no comparison between DEA and everyone else. They are top notch A++ in every single way. Every week they are perfecting my daughter more and more. They not only focus and enhance the positives of the children but they they put the same amount of time on their weaknesses and work with them week after week until everything is equal. They are there to support you as a parent in every single way imaginable even from responding to emails, texts, and voicemails right away. They truly love what they do and it shows. Francesca who manages the Tottenville location is amazing. Anytime I have a question she answers it. I have sent emails and texts all times of the day and night (due to my work schedule) and I get a response or an answer on a question or what might be a problem on my end solved and fixed within minutes from her.I could not recommend any other school to send your child to if they are into the arts!John Caruso

When our daughter was 4 we searched for a serious music school. We tried a few places and then came across Dea. We have been so pleased with our experience at Dea. We have participated in weekly in studio and virtual classes, summer camp, recitals and benefits. There are no words to express the impact this choice has made on our daughter’s life. Now at 12 years old – our girl has and continues to earn ABRSM certificates , musical awards and scholarships abroad- in addition to being accepted into Mark Twain. We feel she is well- rounded and has been given a chance to experience more than she ever would have. We also feel she is more disciplined and a better student because of Dea, hands down. Sticking to a musical instrument takes dedication and at Dea you get the support to see it through. We refer everyone we know to Dea for a reason. Magi and the entire staff work tirelessly to give your child the best opportunity.Dianne Lopardo

Julia has been teaching my 7 year old daughter, the piano for 2 years and now most recently virtually and we are so happy. She is an incredibly talented, kind and patient Teacher. I was skeptical about how successful the virtual lessons would be but despite being more challenging both student and teacher are doing it very well. I would recommend Julia to all parents looking for an excellent Piano Teacher who understands children well. The school is very good also and flexible with all your needs and schedules.Fauzia Ansari-Demir