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Our Insights

What’s Special

Large school with lots of activities and top-notch science research program

The Downside

Like most large schools, not much hand-holding in college office

Benjamin N. Cardozo is a large, successful high school that’s home to several themed programs, including the highly competitive Da Vinci Math/Science Institute and popular options in law, journalism and dance.

Cardozo’s size is its strength, offering a huge range of classes and supports for students of all skill levels, including many advanced and college-level courses as well as ones for struggling learners and beginning English speakers. Foreign language instruction is offered in French, German, Mandarin and Spanish.

Many classes, especially honors, go well beyond the Regents curriculum. Da Vinci students take a challenging load of research, honors and Advanced Placement (AP), but qualifying students from any program can take honors, AP and College Now classes, the latter taught in collaboration with St. John’s University and Queens College. Students may also take courses for free at Queensborough Community College.

Students who do best here find their niche among the wide selection of clubs, activities and athletic teams. Art and music classes as well as bands, an orchestra and choir keep musically inclined students engaged. There are academic teams such as debate, moot court, mock trial, model UN, science Olympiad, robotics and math, and more than 30 PSAL sports teams and an impressive range of clubs.

The sprawling building is located in a quiet, residential neighborhood and is surrounded by extensive outdoor facilities more commonly found at surburban high schools, including sports fields, handball courts and a full-size track.

Like most large schools, there isn't a lot of hand-holding in the college office, but counselors do their best despite huge caseloads. Guidance counselors visit classes to guide 11th-graders through the college admissions process. Parent volunteers pitch in to help process college applications. Graduates go on to CUNY and SUNY schools as well as highly selective private colleges and universities.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: In addition to SETSS, there are self-contained and ICT classes in many subjects. The school offers a co-teaching model for English language learners in select classes, which are led by both the subject teacher and an ENL (English as a new language) teacher. (Laura Zingmond, April 2015; updated via web reports, February 2018)

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School Stats

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

Academics

School
Citywide
How many students graduate in 4 years?
 
95%
How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
 
84%
How many English language learners graduate in 4 years?
 
96%
Average daily attendance
 
89%
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
 
33%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school offers enough activities and services for their children's needs?
 
79%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school works to achieve the goals of their students' IEPs?
 
79%
From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide and 2020-21 NYC School Survey

Students

3069
Number of students
Citywide Average is 615

Race/Ethnicity


School
Citywide
Low-income students
 
70%
Students with disabilities
 
16%
Multilingual learners
 
5%
From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Safety & Vibe

School
Citywide
How many students were suspended?
 
0%
How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
 
63%
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
 
57%
How many students say that some are bullied at their school because of their gender or sexual orientation?
 
41%
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
 
87%
From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey and 2019-20 NY State Report Card

Faculty & Staff

School
Citywide
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
 
81%
6.1
Years of principal experience at this school
Citywide Average is 7
286
Number of students for each guidance counselor or social worker
Citywide Average is 157

Teachers’ Race/Ethnicity


How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
 
90%
Are teachers effective?
From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey, 2021-22 School Quality Guide, 2019-20 Report on School-Based Staff Demographics, 2021 Guidance Counselor Report, and this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Advanced Courses

Which students have access to advanced courses at this school? Learn more

Calculus

 
6%

Computer Science

 
3%

Physics

 
29%

Advanced Foreign Language

 
3%

AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science

 
38%

AP/IB Math or Science

 
28%

Music

 
29%
From unpublished, anonymized data from the 2021-22 school year provided by the New York State Education Department, brought to you by

College Readiness

School
Citywide
How many students graduate with test scores high enough to enroll at CUNY without remedial help?
 
78%
How many students take a college-level course or earn a professional certificate?
 
97%
How many students who have graduated from this high school stay in college for at least 3 semesters?
 
83%
From the 2020-21 and 2021-22 School Quality Guide
How many students filled out a FAFSA form by the end of their senior year?
 
72%
From the 2022-23 FAFSA data released by Federal Student Aid, brought you by
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

Political Science, Law and Ethics (Q16A)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

This program is dedicated to fostering interest in the political and legal fields. It is open to a wide range of academic performance levels. Students will engage in a sequence of history courses in topics including political theory, ethics, civil, criminal, and constitutional law. They will also participate in activities such as Mock Trial, NYPD Explorers, and law and political field internship.

School of Journalism and Media Studies (Q16B)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

This program is designed for students who have an interest in pursuing a career in media, broadcasting, and journalism.

DaVinci Science/Math Biomedical (Q16J)

Admissions Method: Screened

Program Description:

Biomedical Science students will study the concepts of human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology and public health. This program is in partnership with Project Lead the Way (PLTW).

Performing Dance (Q16K)

Admissions Method: Audition

Program Description:

Students study ballet, modern, and jazz techniques along with choreography. Students also have the opportunity to explore additional forms of dance by attending live performances and participating in school productions.

DaVinci Science/Engineering (Q16L)

Admissions Method: Screened

Benjamin N. Cardozo High School D75 Inclusion Program (Q16U)

Admissions Method: D75 Special Education Inclusive Services

Zoned (Q16Z)

Admissions Method: Zoned Guarantee

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

Korean, Mandarin, Spanish

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Chinese Language and Culture, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP European History, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Statistics, AP United States Government and Politics, AP United States History, AP World History: Modern, Calculus (Advanced Math), Chemistry (Advanced Science), ELA (College Course [Credited]), Physics (Advanced Science), Social Studies (College Course [Credited]), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)

Boys PSAL teams

Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Fencing, Football, Handball, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling

Girls PSAL teams

Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Golf, Gymnastics, Handball, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling

Coed PSAL teams

Golf, Stunt

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

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

57-00 223Rd Street
Queens NY 11364

Buses: Q27, Q30, QM35, QM5, QM8


Contact

Principal: Meagan Colby

Parent Coordinator: Katherine Troina

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? No

This school is in its own building.

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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