Our Insights
What’s Special
Good attendance, graduation and college readiness rates
The Downside
Inconsistent teaching methods
Bronx High School for Medical Science is a small school serving grades 6-12 where students do sophisticated science research and shadow healthcare professionals. The school has strong attendance and graduation rates. By the end of 8th grade roughly half of the students earn high school credit; by graduation most have tackled college-level work.
In keeping with the school's theme, students wear medical scrubs as uniforms. Grades 6 to 8 follow a modified middle school format: Students stay in the same classroom and teachers for each subject travel to them.
High school students do research projects under the supervision of medical professionals and take college courses at Bronx Community, Hostos Community and Lehman Colleges, according to the 2016-17 School Comprehensive Education Plan (CEP). Some complete high school in three years, according to the CEP.
State test scores in English exceed the citywide average. Math scores run closer to the city average but far exceed the district-wide average.
The schools college readiness rate, meaning students graduating with test scores high enough to enroll at a CUNY college without remedial help, far exceeds the citywide average.
Theres inconsistency in instruction according to the schools 2016-17 Quality Review, which highlighted that some teachers solicited mainly recall of facts from students rather than more challenging and analytical responses.
Teacher responses to the 2015-16 NYC School Survey indicate good order and discipline at the school but also reveal some friction with longtime principal William Quintana. Roughly a third of teachers responding to the survey say Quintana is not an effective manager.
Most students say their classes make them think and prepare them well for the next grade, according to the survey, but roughly half feel there are not enough opportunities to develop talents outside of academics.
The school is housed in the William H. Taft Educational Campus building, which it shares with several small high schools. Students must pass through metal detectors to enter.
There is an after-school program for middle school students as well as sports teams. High school students may participate in campus-wide PSAL sports teams.
(Laura Zingmond, web reports, August 2017)
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School Stats
Is this school safe and well-run?
From the 2022-2023 NYC School Survey
From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card
From this school's most recent Quality Review Report
From 2023 End-of-year Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Report
How do students perform academically?
From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database
From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide
Who does this school serve?
From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot
From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide
How does this school serve special populations?
From 2023 End-of-year Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Report
From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryMedical and Health Sciences (X56A)
Program Description:
The instructional program for HSMS students in grades 9-10 is focused on critical thinking skills. Students are in inclusive classroom settings and take core courses and required Regents examinations. The instructional program for HSMS students in grades 11-12 is focused on effective communication skills that build towards college and career readiness.
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP English Literature and Composition, Chemistry (Advanced Science), Social Studies (College Course [Credited]), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Volleyball, Wrestling
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Cross Country, Flag Football, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Softball, Volleyball
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
240 East 172 Street
Bronx
NY
10457
Trains: to Mt Eden Av; , to 170th St
Buses: Bx1, Bx11, Bx15, Bx18, Bx2, Bx32, Bx35, Bx41, Bx41-SBS, BxM4
Contact
Other Details
This school shares the Taft Educational Campus with five other schools
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