HIDDEN GEMS
1. Wi iamsb Hi h Sch f A chi dc d
257 NortH 6tH St., BrooklyN
Well-regarded school for kids who know that they are interested in a career in architecture. Classes teach techniques of the future, while also encouraging histortic preservation. Along with college prep, ninth graders learn to draw with a T-square and experiment with AutoCAD and Autodesk. The building houses four architecture/ design studios with laptops, 3-D printers, laser engravers and color plotter printers. Many internship options. Last summer, students worked for Green-Wood Cemetery, the Park Avenue Armory, structural engineering f irms, construction companies, a stone carver and several preservation groups. Students come up with architectural concepts, build models and tackle construction basics like mixing mortar, working with wood and electrical wiring.
2. Ha ds C d ia d Hi h Sch
34 W. 14tH St.,
MANHAttAN
This new, non-traditional small school, housed in the refurbished upper floors of an old Greenwich Village department store, rejects the standardized tests of most other highs. Teachers evaluate students on portfolios and end-of-semester oral or written presentations instead of Regents exams. The emphasis is on class discussion, plenty of reading and writing, hands-on projects and trips. Twice-aweek extracurriculars are required. Choices include robotics, art, jazz band and outdoor adventure. A partner, the Third Street Music School, gets everyone playing an instrument, and the Stone Barns Center for Agriculture provides a “seed-to-plate” program. Offers a slate of AP classes and intriguing electives like Dexter and Dostoevsky and BioCases: Atoms to Humans.
3. Mi dnni m B n Hi h Sch
237 7tH Ave., BrooklyN
A little sister growing up fast. Launched in Park Slope in 2011, this offshoot of the hugely popular Millennium HS in Manhattan celebrated a 95% graduation rate in June, with all grads heading to college, says Principal Kevin Conway. “We provide the supportive environment of a small school with the rigor of a large school.” All students take four years of courses devoted to research; ninth-graders conduct experiments and analyze data. Sociology, epidemiology and statistics follow. While admission is selective, the school also has a program for teens on the autism spectrum. More than 20 clubs from drama to robotics, and 14 boys’ and girls’ PSAL teams, including basketball, fencing and Ultimate Frisbee.
4. end tdch Hi h Sch
36 41 28tH St., QueeNS
This small CTE school in Long Island City offers something new: a six-year program with a smooth path to an associate degree while preparing students for engineering and technology careers. “Ultimately, our students will leave us as skilled candidates for jobs on a ladder of career growth in the fields of energy and technology or competitive applicants for four-year colleges,” said Principal Hope Barter. With 108 students per grade, staff can offer individual attention and small freshman seminars. Students have job-shadowing and internships at Con Edison and National Grid, and take classes at nearby LaGuardia Community College. The building boasts science and engineering labs.
5. H.e.r.o. Hi h (Hda h, e ca i n, an rdsda ch occ pa i ns Hi h Sch )
455 SoutHerN Blvd.,
tHe BroNx
This Mott Haven career and technical school offers an unusual six-year program to prepare students for good-paying health care jobs. “They can graduate with a high-school diploma and an associate’s degree in nursing or community health and begin taking real college classes taught by Hostos Community College professors starting in the 10th grade,” says Principal Kristin Cahill Garcia. Offers intensive advising, a free summer program of college classes, health-care training and peer and faculty tutoring. Kids engage in weekly smallgroup field trips, in-depth class discussions and collaborative, hands-on projects. Montefiore Medical Center provides internships in community health and clinical nursing. New electives include dance, film studies and visual arts. The booming health-care industry makes H.E.R.O. appealing — 992 applicants sought 108 freshman seats in 2014.
6. u ban Assdmb Ma d Aca dm
411 PeArl St., MANHAttAN
The city’s only school inspired by the “Maker Movement” — the do-it-yourself tech phenomenon celebrated at this weekend’s World Maker Faire at the New York Hall of Science -— this school opened last year in the Two Bridges neighborhood. It creates a home for young tinkerers, programmers, inventors and “Minecraft” players. “The kids have so many ideas, the hardest part of my job is to not limit anyone,” said Principal Luke Bauer. As a CTE school, the Maker Academy emphasizes hands-on work alongside academic study. The “makerspace” is a spacious, multi-functional classroom/ workshop with a 3-D printer, laser and vinyl cutters, computers, hardware and materials of every description. Modular walls and furniture can accommodate group or solo design and fabrication work. Courses include design thinking, coding and digital fabrication.
7. Aca dm f S ftwa d en indd in
40 IrvINg PlACe, MANHAttAN
Kids at this new Gramercy school get a jump start on Mayor de Blasio’s computerscience goals -— and have already won accolades. One was invited to the 2015 White House Science Fair, and two teams from AFSE won awards at this year’s “Dream It, Code It, Win It” competition. AFSE was founded as a public-private partnership with venture capitalist Fred Wilson and his NYC Foundation for Computer Science Education. Students get mentorships with industry professionals and internships. Software engineers collaborate in twice-yearly “hackathons” to create new programs. “Last year we had 30-plus Google engineers share their expertise,” said Principal Seung Yu. Courses include Programming in Java, Tech & Design (3-D modeling), robotics. anime, drama, gaming design, Technovation, Science Olympiad among extras.
8. Pa eas Hi h Sch
230 e. 105tH St. MANHAttAN
With small classes, award-winning teachers and individual attention, this East Harlem school works wonders with students who need to boost their academics. The twice-a-week House Class is a big part of the school’s strategy, says Director of Student Affairs Steven Serling. The groups of 13-15 students help kids forge close, four-year relationships with staff. To build skills, ninth-graders take two sessions of math every day. Research fundamentals are taught early on. Later, they tackle AP courses and electives like Advanced Poetry. A Saturday class on the history and geography of NYC gets students into neighborhoods and culture spots. One of six East Harlem high schools in a sports coalition with 23 boys’ and girls’ teams.