Math, Engineering, and Science Academy Charter High School
As a stand-alone charter high school, MESA has the flexibility to meet local needs. Students come from more than 20 different schools, mainly in its Bushwick district.
The MESA school year begins in August, after a short summer break. During the year, it halts regular lessons for a week or two to offer “intersession” programming. Some students practice academic skills that need reinforcing; others take electives on law, urban gardening, or other topics that teachers and kids want to explore. The daily schedule is non-traditional, too — classes begin at 9 a.m. and end around 5 p.m., like a regular business workday.
MESA aims to foster a love of math, science, and engineer- ing. In partnership with the Rochester Institute of Technology, it incorporates a three-year biomedical curriculum that presents real-world problems and project-based courses where students can learn science and math hands-on.
For example, one course opens with a simulated crime scene. Students walk in on a face-down “body” and a set of clues relating to the victim’s “death.” They are asked to piece all the evidence together — and learn about hair, blood, and DNA as they do.
The school, which opened in 2013, is expanding its academic choices as it grows. Last year it offered its first five AP classes, including calculus and Spanish literature. It far outpaces its district on standardized tests, outscoring neighboring high schools by 20 to 25 points on state-required Regents exams.
MESA raises funds so it can send four students to study abroad every summer — a rare opportunity in a school where 87% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. In 2017, MESA students traveled to Japan, France, Argentina, and the Netherlands.
There are after-school clubs for art, dance, and computer programming, while seven sports teams compete in the Charter School Athletic Association.