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New York’s neighborhoods south of Houston Street are home to a diverse assortment of public high schools and middle schools. From top-ranking academic curricula to groundbreaking multilingual specialty programs to vocational initiatives, Lower Manhattan schools are preparing today’s students for college and for careers in a variety of fields -- business, public service, art, carpentry, science, technology, and many more.
Here, LowerManhattan.info presents snapshots of high schools and middle schools serving students from Battery Park City to Chinatown. Read on to learn about the educational goals these schools share and the special programs that set them apart.
Bard High School Early College
525 East Houston Street
(212) 995-8479
http://www.bard.edu/bhsec/
Grades: 9 through 12
Enrollment: Approximately 500 students
Principal: Mr. Raymond Peterson
 Created in June 2001 by the New York City Board of Education and Bard College, Bard High School is a four-year higher-education program that functions as an alternative to traditional high-school curricula. Operating on the philosophy that highly motivated high-school students are capable of completing college-level work, Bard High School offers its students a unique learning opportunity through an academic model that carries students from the ninth and 10th grades through the first two years of college. After four years, graduates receive not only a high school diploma, but also an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree. In addition to Bard’s rigorous academic program, students can choose from a variety of clubs and activities, including the school’s literary magazine and newspaper, theater club, and intramural basketball. Bard High School is open to all New York City residents entering either ninth or 11th grade; admission is based on a transcript review, writing sample, and interview.
Chelsea Career and Technical Education High School
131 Avenue of the Americas
(212) 925-1080
http://www.chelseahighschool.ws/
Grades: 9 through 12
Enrollment: Approximately 950 students
Principal: Mr. Timothy Timberlake
 As one of the few remaining vocational schools, Chelsea Career and Technical Education (CTE) High School offers an educational program for students who are interested in pursuing careers in the business, electrical, electronics, carpentry, and building-maintenance industries. While the school’s curriculum is designed to prepare students for occupational careers, it also provides the necessary academic foundation for students to pursue opportunities with college programs after graduation. Home to the first business program to receive New York State CTE Approval, Chelsea High School has recently updated its curriculum by expanding its art and technology departments. Students are offered a variety of mentoring and partnership programs with community participants including Morgan Stanley, the New York City Transit Authority, and the Center for Arts Education. Chelsea also boasts a variety of extracurricular activities, including Fit for Life, Enviroadventure, art and public-speaking clubs, as well as an extensive athletic program that includes baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, and track. Bordering Lower Manhattan’s Soho district, Chelsea High School is open to all New York City residents.
Comprehensive Model School Project -- Marta Valle Secondary School
145 Stanton Street
(212) 473-8152
Grades: 7 through 12
Enrollment: Approximately 650 students
Principal: Ms. Jane Godlewski
Located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Marta Valle offers a unique academic program for students in grades seven to 12 that facilitates academic growth and maturity by providing a continuous educational environment. With a focus on media arts and technology, the school offers a competitive college-preparatory program that requires students to “master” major academic areas by receiving a grade of 80 or above in their core classes. In order to fulfill this mission, Marta Valle offers specially formatted course structures -- including 104-minute periods in mathematics and English-language arts -- to allow students the appropriate time and direction for their studies. Additionally, Marta Valle offers daily and Saturday-morning tutoring sessions. Throughout the academic year, high school students are encouraged to take advantage of a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses; all students can participate in nonacademic activities such as PSAL basketball, track, and softball, intramural sports, and drama, computer, and environmental clubs.
Dual Language and Asian Studies High School
350 Grand Street, 5th floor
(212) 475-4097
Grades: 9 through 12
Enrollment: Approximately 200 students
Principal: Mr. Li Yan
A growing academic facility open to students citywide, the Dual Language and Asian Studies High School opened its doors in Lower Manhattan’s Chinatown on September 8, 2003. In addition to fulfilling the standard New York City academic curriculum regulations, this high school offers programs for both Chinese-speaking students endeavoring to learn English and English-proficient students who want to learn Chinese. By infusing Asian culture into various components of its curriculum, the school provides a unique approach to education. The Dual Language and Asian Studies High School engages in events within the local community and invites guest speakers and performers from organizations such as the China Institute, Japan Society, and Asian Society to participate in the school’s music, art, and historical programs.
Essex Street Academy
350 Grand Street
(212) 674-1983
Grades: 9 through 12
Enrollment: Approximately 185 students
Principal: Mr. Alex Shub
Formerly known as the High School for History and Communication, Essex Street Academy was founded in September 2004. Students have daily “advisory” periods, group meetings to discuss school and personal issues with a faculty member. They also attend school-wide "town hall" meetings, where they are briefed on the latest events and participate in activities so that teachers and kids can stay connected. Essex Street Academy is a member of the Coalition for Essential Schools’ network, which advocates for small schools where students concentrate on learning a few subjects in detail.
High School for Leadership and Public Service
90 Trinity Place
(212) 346-0007
http://www.geocities.com/hslaps/
Grades: 9 through 12
Enrollment: Approximately 650 students
Principal: Mr. Frank Brancato
Endeavoring to create new societal leaders from urban environments, the High School for Leadership and Public Service created an academic model that promotes careers in public service. In addition to a required college-preparatory program provided with collaborative support from Syracuse University, students are responsible for completing a course of study in leadership and public policy, a full year of law, and a minimum of 200 hours of community or public service before graduation. By developing its students’ knowledge of government, business, and nonprofit organizations, the school works to strengthen leadership skills. Partnering with a diversity of community organizations and municipal groups, the school also offers its students internships and public-service opportunities in addition to a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses -- including chemistry, calculus, and American history. The High School for Leadership and Public Service also boasts several PSAL sports teams, including boys’ basketball and girls’ softball, in addition to club activities such as the mock trial, debate team, dance ensemble, and band.
High School of Economics and Finance
100 Trinity Place
(212) 346-0708
http://www.hseaf.org
Grades: 9 through 12
Enrollment: Approximately 750 students
Principal: Dr. Craig Peck
 Located just off Lower Manhattan’s Financial District, the High School of Economics and Finance offers a rigorous academic curriculum that concentrates on developing student’s future careers in the economic and financial sectors. Since opening in 1993, it has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a “New American High School” for its innovative approach to education. Incoming students participate in the school’s “Welcome to Wall Street” course, where they are introduced to the business arena by creating their own small business. In addition to a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, the school offers tuition-free courses at Baruch College and Pace University, as well as programs through the Weill Institute that allow students to learn from and interact with professionals in financial community. More than 300 firms provide internships or seminars to students. Students are also encouraged to join the school’s extensive list of extracurricular activities, including student government, a fashion and talent show, PSAL basketball, soccer, and tennis, as well as investment, environmental, and chess clubs.
I.S. 89
201 Warren Street
(212) 571-5659
Grades: 6 through 8
Enrollment: Approximately 350 students
Principal: Ms. Ellen Foote
Since 1998, I.S. 289 has offered its students a challenging academic program centered upon the belief that “the intellectual endeavor comprises not only a set of problem-solving and reasoning capabilities, but the habits that lead one to use them regularly.” With this in mind, I.S. 289 provides an integrated curriculum that emphasizes the development of students’ reasoning skills, offering innovative exercises for students to share their thoughts with their peers. Other special features include block scheduling, an orchestral-music program and a school newspaper. Students also have access to the school’s library, which was created in collaboration with members of the local community, including the Mercantile Exchange and Battery Park City Authority. I.S. 289 encourages its students to participate in its extensive afterschool program, which offers basketball, track, visual arts, yearbook, karate, and animation.
I.S. 131, Dr. Sun Yat Sen Middle School
100 Hester Street
(212) 219-1204
Grades: 6 through 8
Enrollment: Approximately 900 students
Principal: Ms. Jane Lehrach
 Emphasizing the important component of community in an academic program, I.S. 131 endeavors to create an environment where all members are able to “learn and teach in a spirit of collaboration of cooperation.” Students are offered a competitive curriculum aligned with city and state standards, with special programs such as a Chinese bilingual initiative and an English as a Second Language program. Parents, staff, and community businesses and organizations -- including Chinatown YMCA, Lower East Side Americorps, Frick Museum, and Pace University -- are active participants in the school’s efforts to develop its students both academically and personally by nurturing their self-respect and respect for others. Dr. Sun Yat Sen Middle School also has a variety of afterschool programs, including intramural sports, math league, science olympiad, and repertory dance program.
J.H.S. 56, Corlears Junior High School
220 Henry Street
(212) 962-7205
Grades: 6 through 8
Enrollment: Approximately 950 students
Principal: Ms. Mauriciere De Govia
Offering an interdisciplinary curriculum, Corlears Junior High provides students with an interactive approach to learning that helps them develop both academic and social skills. Students are grouped into smaller sections in order to create a supportive environment to complement the school’s competitive scholastic program, which includes Special Progress (SP) and Regents classes. Corlears also has an extensive technology department that offers students more than 300 computers equipped with internet access; the school also features a five-day Extended Day Enrichment academic program from 3 to 6 p.m. Corlears is enriched by community partnerships with businesses and organizations such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters NYC, LEAP Arts, and Goldman Sachs. Extracurricular activities include corporate mentoring, athletic programs, dance, and a women’s young leadership group.
LOMA Lower Manhattan Arts Academy
350 Grand Street
(718) 935-3220
Grades: 9 through 12 (currently only grade 9)
Enrollment: Approximately 85 students
Principal: Mr. John Wenk
Administrators at the Lower Manhattan Arts Academy (LoMA) are creating a small neighborhood school with a student community that mirrors the population and culture of the arts-minded Lower East Side. LoMa opened its doors in fall 2005, one of five new high schools replacing Seward Park High School, which is being closed because of low student performance. Although an important part of its mission is to serve residents of the neighborhood, LoMA in its first year attracted eager students from as far away as Queens with its promise of an arts education. The school launched with a 9th grade class and intends to add one grade a year until it is a full 9th-12th grade program. LoMA has formed partnerships with a variety of arts and community organizations that already are helping out at the school. New York University students work as tutors in the school's writing center, where kids may seek out assistance during the day. Extended day classes in photography, dance, and theater arts are offered by the Henry Street Settlement, the Girls Club, and Jean Cocteau Repertory, a Lower East Side theater dedicated to the production of classics.
Millennium High School
75 Broad Street, 11th – 13th floors
(212) 825-9008
http://millenniumhs.org
Grades: 9 through 12
Enrollment: Approximately 450 students
Principal: Mr. Robert Rhodes
 Located in the city’s Financial District, Millennium High School opened its doors on September 8, 2003. This state-of-the-art offers a rigorous liberal arts academic program in a youth development partnership with the YMCA of Greater New York. Millennium High School also believes in teacher leadership and provides an extensive professional development program. Millennium also provides its students with a growing number of extracurricular activities, such as the student newspaper, student government, and drama, music, and art classes. It also boasts a PSAL sports program with both boys’ and girls’ basketball teams.
Murry Bergtraum High School for Business Careers
411 Pearl Street
(212) 964-9610
http://www.bergtraum.org
Grades: 9 through 12
Enrollment: Approximately 3,000 students
Principal: Ms. Barbara Esmilla
Targeting students who have chosen to focus their academic studies on a career in business, Murry Bergtraum High School’s rigorous curriculum is designed to prepare students for the demands of the business world while allowing them to take courses in compliance with New York City’s standard academic program. This college-preparatory school helps to accommodate the needs of its students through a School Leadership Team, consisting of administration, staff, parents, teachers, and students. In addition to a variety of college-level courses, including accounting, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses in calculus, computer science, microeconomics, and U.S. history, Bergtraum emphasizes the value of exposing its students to the Lower Manhattan business community. Participating in mentoring programs with Lehman Brothers, Financial Women’s Association and Estee Lauder, students have the opportunity to learn about business firsthand. Students can also participate in the math team, a variety of multicultural clubs, and student government. Aside from these academic programs, Bergtraum also boasts several PSAL sports teams including baseball, track, soccer, volleyball, and tennis.
New Explorations in Science, Technology, and Math (NEST+m)
111 Columbia Street
(212) 677-5190
http://www.newexplorations.org/nestweb/index.html
Grades: Kindergarten through 12
Enrollment: Approximately 750 students
Principal: Ms. Celenia Chévere
 New Explorations in Science, Technology, and Math (NEST+m) is an integrated K-12 school. Designed to function as a seamless academic program, NEST+m offers a curriculum geared towards science, technology, and math, along with courses in English, history, foreign languages and art. The middle school focuses on the development of students’ communication and technological skills, to prepare them for entry into the rigorous college-preparatory program in the upper school. The majority of classes are small, discussion-based seminars designed to encourage students to present, debate, and define their ideas. Middle-school students meet with their appointed advisors daily and participate in weekly meetings with their peers and school faculty to focus on coursework, study habits and larger social issues. Upper-school students can choose from a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, including calculus, chemistry, physics, English and European history. While NEST+m doesn’t offer a PSAL sports program, its roster of extracurricular activities includes intramural and interscholastic athletics as well as student government, peer leadership and the NEST News student paper.
Stuyvesant High School
345 Chambers Street
(212) 312-4800
http://www.stuy.edu
Grades: 9 through 12
Enrollment: Approximately 3,200 students
Principal: Mr. Stanley Teitel
 Founded more than 100 years ago, Stuyvesant High School is a specialized public high school for students who excel in mathematics, science, and technology. Offering over 55 Advanced Placement (AP) courses in a variety of subjects each semester, including organic chemistry, multivariate calculus, architecture, women’s voices in literature, and law studies/criminal justice, Stuyvesant has been recognized for its challenging curriculum in both mathematics and technology and the humanities and social sciences. Home to an active student union and champion mathematics and speech and debate teams, Stuyvesant offers over 100 clubs, 30 publications, and 26 PSAL sports teams. Located in Battery Park City, Stuyvesant is open to residents of all five boroughs; students are admitted based on scores attained on the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test.
University Neighborhood High School
200 Monroe Street
(212) 962-4341
Grades: 9 through 12
Enrollment: Approximately 480 students
Principal: Mr. Robert A. Miller
University Neighborhood High School is a college-preparatory school where students are given the opportunity to attend courses at NYU during the summers and throughout their senior year. Established in the fall of 1999, University Neighborhood continues to develop its rigorous curriculum and offers unique classes such as photojournalism and internet training in addition to fulfilling the standard New York City academic mandates. Students are encouraged to meet with teachers and mentors at the school’s “learning centers” for additional academic guidance, and can also attend the NYU/Sumitomo Bank Tutoring Room after school. In addition to Advanced Placement (AP) courses in subjects such as Spanish and American history, University Neighborhood High School offers extracurricular activities including the chess, science, math, debate, drama, and horticulture clubs as well as PSAL sports teams such as track, handball, and softball.
Unity High School
121 Avenue of the Americas
(212) 343-8038
Grades: 9 through 12
Enrollment: Approximately 200 students
Principal: Mrs. Maritza Tamayo
Founded in 1992, Lower Manhattan’s Unity High School is one of New York City’s 67 alternative schools and programs serving educationally disadvantaged “at-risk” students. The school aims to increase its students’ exposure to the arts, and its mission includes ongoing collaborations with parents, The Door (a multi-service youth organization located in the building), and the Citigroup Mentoring Program -- an initiative where students are paired with a company executives for year-long projects that includes educational, cultural, and social activities. In addition to an academic program that consists of three years of college-preparatory math and science and computer literacy, Unity High School provides vocational training and job-placement services for selected students. While it doesn’t offer a PSAL sports program, its extracurricular activities include student council, peer mediation, and recreational programs at The Door.
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