Our Insights
What’s Special
Rich history program; music, theater and field trips
The Downside
Thinner course offerings in science
At the Academy of American Studies (AAS), students explore history through various means, such as analyzing letters, photos, speeches, political cartoons, art, and music. AAS was founded in 1996 with support from The Gilder Lehrman Institute, a foundation that seeks to bolster the study of American history in public schools by offering money for trips and other enrichment.
Academics & Instruction: Classroom learning involves discussions, debates, and collaborative projects. History courses cover topics like global athletics, African American studies, European history, world modern history, and macroeconomics. In addition to history textbooks, teens read memoirs and graphic novels.
The school organizes an annual history fair on a diverse range of projects. Examples from previous years include an exhibit titled “Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries,” an original documentary named “The Frontier of Hollywood and Moving Pictures,” and an essay titled “The Manhattan Project: A History-Defining Invention.”
Field trips also bring history lessons to life. Students may walk the Freedom Trail in Boston or participate in the school’s annual international trip to Spain, Germany or elsewhere. Some learn about journalism by attending editorial meetings at newspapers and magazines.
The school offers French and Spanish instruction and a range of math and science classes, though options are slightly thinner in the sciences.
The music program incorporates history through classes like "American History through Music.” For example, students explored social change in the Vietnam War era by reenacting scenes from the 1960s musical “Hair,” highlighting how long hair symbolized rebellion. Students may also participate in band, a wind ensemble, chorus, and an opera program that includes trips to the Metropolitan Opera.
Upper-level students may explore 20th-century expression through art, playwriting performance, theater, or digital art. In their senior year, students prepare for college-level work by writing a thesis in a class focused on research and writing methods.
Culture & Environment: The school runs on three staggered schedules that begin as early as 7:05 a.m. Classes end at noon on Wednesdays so students may participate in clubs and get academic help from teachers. Advanced Placement and College Now courses take place mostly on site but also at nearby LaGuardia Community College.
The school collaborates with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for training on addressing bias and discrimination. They have a social worker, integrate substance abuse prevention in classrooms, and celebrate diversity with an annual food festival.
Building & Facilities: In February 2022, Academy of American Studies relocated to a new four-story building with lockers, labs, a library, music and art rooms, a gym, and a cafeteria. Outside, there are handball and basketball courts, along with a reading area.
College & Career: A full-time college counselor and advisor support families in the college application process, scholarships, career pathways, and post-graduation plans. (Lydie Raschka, web reports and questionnaire responses, January 2024)
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School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Advanced Courses
Calculus
Computer Science
Not offered in 2021-21Physics
Advanced Foreign Language
AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science
AP/IB Math or Science
Music
College Readiness
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryAcademic Humanities (Q71A)
Program Description:
Focus is on the humanities, literature, writing, and American history, and also offers a full range of math and science courses. All students take Senior Thesis, a college preparatory research and writing class as well.
Intensive Academic Humanities (Q71B)
Program Description:
Focus is on the humanities, literature, writing, and American history, and also offers a full range of math and science courses. All students take Senior Thesis, a college preparatory research and writing class as well.
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
French, Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Calculus AB, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP European History, AP Human Geography, AP Macroeconomics, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP United States Government and Politics, AP United States History, Arts (College Course [Credited]), Biology (College Course [Credited]), Calculus (Advanced Math), Chemistry (Advanced Science), ELA (College Course [Credited]), Math (College Course [Credited]), Other (College Course [Credited]), Physics (Advanced Science), Science (College Course [Credited]), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Soccer, Volleyball
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Flag Football, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball
Coed PSAL teams
Stunt
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
40-11 28th Street
Queens
NY
11101
Trains: , , to Queensboro Plaza; , , to Queens Plaza; to 21st St
Buses: B62, Q100, Q101, Q102, Q103, Q32, Q39, Q60, Q66, Q67, Q69, X63, X64, X68
Contact
Other Details
This school is in its own building.
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