Joseph Pulitzer (I.S. 145) Magnet School of Innovation and Applied Learning

A large neighborhood school serving many new immigrants, IS 145 in Jackson Heights has a safe and supportive environment as well as dual language classes designed to make students fluent in both English and Spanish.

Students from across Queens may apply to the magnet program, which has enhanced programming in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. Facilities include a video studio, a music engineering studio and a consumer science lab.

Also known as the Magnet School of Innovation and Applied Learning, IS 145 is divided into four academies: Enterprise, Discovery, Explorer and Global. The Global Academy is designed especially for students who are still learning English, including those who have had their education interrupted in their native countries.

The academies are designed to give the school a more intimate atmosphere and to strengthen the relationships between teachers and students. Each academy has its own assistant principal, guidance counselor, and dean to support the students, as well as academic focus. The Spanish dual language program is housed in the Global Academy.

IS 145 has a large offering of Regents courses and a majority of students earn high school credit. However, some students responding to school surveys said they are not being challenged academically. In response, the school is encouraging more 8th graders to take Regents-level algebra and the Spanish proficiency exam, according to the Comprehensive Educational Plan.

English language learners: A large percentage of students at IS 145 are English language learners, the vast majority of whom speak Spanish as their primary language. The school offers three options for students learning English: self-contained ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, transitional bilingual classes, and Spanish/English dual language classes. The school is expanding the number of dual language classes.

Admissions: There are two programs, one which has open admissions for residents of Queens and another is open to students in the school zone. (Melanie Quiroz, DOE data and web reports, March 2019)