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Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (WHEELS)

Grades: Pre-K, K-12
Noteworthy

Our Insights

What’s Special

Trips, projects and in-depth studies

The Downside

Some children miss many days of school

Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School, better known as WHEELS, offers trips, creative projects and activities that allow children to explore the world.

During a study of corn, for example, kindergartners drew corn on the husk in science, participated in a farm-to-table dance, and helped make salsa and corn fritters, a parent wrote in our comments.

“WHEELS is true holistic learning and we can't wait to watch our daughter continue to grow,” the parent said.

Founded as a middle and high school in 2006, WHEELS added pre-K and kindergarten classes in 2014, and will be a full pre-K to 12th-grade school by fall 2019.

Test scores are below average, but there are positive signs of growth. Attendance is improving, teachers work well together and nearly all would recommend the school, according to school surveys.

The school is part of the NYC Outward Bound network, a nonprofit that supports a dozen schools in the city, and follows the network’s EL Education model (formerly called expeditionary learning).

Kids meet daily in small groups of 15 with a teacher to make friends and get support. Sixth- and 9th-graders go on a camping trip that includes hiking and ropes courses. All 12th-graders participate in a two-week internship program to help them prepare for college and careers.

Trips are common here. Kindergartners work in the school garden and visit the Bronx Botanical Garden to study plants. High school students visit organic farms to learn about the food supply and travel to the Indian Point nuclear power plant to learn about energy.

Instead of traditional teacher-led conferences, children take charge. They show parents examples of their work and set goals for future performance

The school has a full-time and a part-time college counselor. Students visit college campuses and prepare applications and essays in school.

The middle and high school grades share a modern four-story building with IS 143 Eleanor Roosevelt. The building includes a health clinic and dental office, providing free services, but it lacks any significant outdoor space, so WHEELS has no recess period. Well-behaved high school students may go off campus during lunch. The school offers a range of after-school sports, but students must often take subways or buses to athletic fields on Randall’s Island or in the Bronx.

The school offers a range of instrumental music courses, including a jazz ensemble, as well as a film club and a popular after-school drama club. (Lydie Raschka, web reports, June 2018; updated June 2019)

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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?
88%
83% Citywide Average
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
38%
51% Citywide Average
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
69%
80% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
1%
1% 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?
74%
84% 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 elementary school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
31%
61% Citywide Average
How many elementary school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
33%
58% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
53%
62% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
47%
63% Citywide Average

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many 8th-graders earn high school credit?
88%
76% Citywide Average
How many students graduate in 4 years?
90%
91% Citywide Average

What is the Pre-K like?

From the NYC Program Assessment (CLASS and ECERS-R) Database through 2019-2020

Instruction: Teachers ask kids to explain their reasoning when they solve problems
Activities: Children explore art, music, sand/water, dramatic play and more
Language: Teachers talk and listen to kids in a supportive way
Interaction: Teachers ask kids good questions and invite back-and-forth conversation

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
964
Asian
1%
Black
2%
Hispanic
91%
White
3%
Other
3%
Free or reduced priced lunch
85%
Students with disabilities
25%
English language learners
20%
Pre-K seats
36

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
83%
91% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
54%
32% Citywide Average

From the 2020 School Directories

Uniforms required?
No
This school offers Dual Language classes in Spanish.

How does this school serve special populations?

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
84%
82% Citywide Average
How many English language learners graduate in 4 years?
85%
85% Citywide Average

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
14%
23% Citywide Average
How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
14%
22% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
11%
15% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
0%
14% 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

Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (M88A)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

Students participate in interdisciplinary learning across all subject areas.

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

Spanish

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP English Language and Composition, AP Human Geography, AP Research, AP Seminar, AP Spanish Language and Culture, Calculus (Advanced Math), Chemistry (Advanced Science), Comp Sci/Math Tech (College Course [Credited]), ELA (College Course [Credited]), Other (College Course [Credited]), Other (College Course [Uncredited]), Physics (College Course [Credited]), Social Studies (College Course [Credited]), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)

Boys PSAL teams

Baseball, Basketball, Soccer

Girls PSAL teams

Basketball, Flag Football, Soccer

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

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

511 West 182Nd Street
Manhattan NY 10033

Trains: 1 Line to 181st St; A Line to 175th St

Buses: Bx11, Bx13, Bx18, Bx3, Bx35, Bx36, Bx7, M100, M101, M3, M4, M5, M98


Contact

Principal: Marelyn Pichardo

Parent Coordinator: Rosemary Aquino

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? Yes

This school shares the building with JHS 143

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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