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Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Secondary School for Arts and Technology

Grades: 6-12
Staff Pick Staff Pick for Special Ed

Our Insights

What’s Special

Friendly place with lots of spirit and a sought-after middle school

The Downside

Many windowless classrooms

Housed in a former Macy’s warehouse in the heart of Long Island City’s industrial and commercial center, Wagner Secondary School for Arts & Technology attracts students looking for a small, welcoming alternative to large, traditional schools. Students generally work together in groups or in pairs at small tables, generating lots of class discussions and collaborations. Classes last 51 minutes and meet four times a week. Every Friday there is an all-school Town Hall meeting.

Some interior classrooms lack windows and the low-ceilinged gymnasium is inadequate but there is a friendly feel to the brightly painted building, from the round tables in the cafeteria to the Chill-out Area where kids relax after school. 

Students representing 20 countries collaborate on projects and edit one another’s work. There is less emphasis on test prep and worksheets than many students were used to at their more traditional elementary schools. 

High school students take frequent trips, such as to Ellis Island and a day-long trip to Philadelphia. Students take four years of science, including chemistry and physics. The biology lab is covered with plants and are part of the classrooms community and population, the teacher explained. Some teachers require students to re-do sub-par work until their grade comes up to an 85 or 90.

There are several advanced visual arts classes in addition to intro to art and intro theater classes in 9th grade. Tenth-graders all take a theatre class and some continue in 11th grade, performing updated version of Shakespearean plays, such as Twelfth Night done to disco music. Middle-schoolers get piano lessons four days a week and art every semester.

Despite the lack of a proper gym, Wagner has an active and successful sports program, sharing 16 teams shared with two other local schools: International High School at LaGuardia and Middle College High School.

(Pamela Wheaton, December 2011; updated October 2017)

 

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School Stats

Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average
Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average

Is this school safe and well-run?

From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey

How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
90%
81% Citywide Average
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
29%
52% Citywide Average
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
68%
78% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
0%
2% Citywide Average

From this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Are teachers effective?

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
91%
80% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
7.1

How do students perform academically?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
62%
42% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
77%
51% Citywide Average

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many 8th-graders earn high school credit?
94%
60% Citywide Average
How many students graduate in 4 years?
93%
91% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
616
Asian
18%
Black
4%
Hispanic
58%
White
14%
Other
6%
Free or reduced priced lunch
78%
Students with disabilities
19%
English language learners
5%

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
86%
86% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
41%
45% Citywide Average

From the 2020 School Directories

Uniforms required?
No

How does this school serve special populations?

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
90%
85% Citywide Average

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
17%
7% Citywide Average
For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Programs & Admissions

From the 2024 High School Directory

Arts and Technology (Q31J)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

Opportunities in the arts, career education, athletics, college classes, trips, and conferences.

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

Spanish

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Calculus AB, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics 1, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP United States History, AP World History: Modern, Chemistry (Advanced Science), Physics (Advanced Science), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)

Boys PSAL teams

Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Wrestling

Girls PSAL teams

Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball

Coed PSAL teams

Golf

Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

47-07 30Th Place
Queens NY 11101

Trains: 7 Line to Rawson St-33rd St; E Line, M Line, R Line to Queens Plaza; G Line to Long Island City-Court Square

Buses: B24, B62, Q100, Q101, Q102, Q32, Q39, Q60, Q67


Contact

Principal: Stephania Vu

Parent Coordinator: Linda Langford

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? No

This school is in its own building.

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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