At the Academy of Finance and Enterprise (AFE) students train for jobs in the business and financial industries while taking a full academic load. The school opened in 2005 with the support of the National Academy Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that supports high schools that train students for careers in industries with strong growth and employment potential. In keeping with its mission, AFE offers a wide selection of business-themed classes and extra-curricular activities as well as internships in the financial industry. The school admits students of all abilities and has graduation and college attendance rates that are well above the citywide average.

Parents and students give the school high marks based on their responses to 2011-12 Learning Environment Survey. Notably, most students feel safe at school and find there is enough variety in courses and activities to keep them interested. Victoria Armano, an assistant principal at the school, became principal at the start of the 2012-13 school year, replacing founding principal Gilberto Vega.

Students take classes that cover topics including entrepreneurship, banking and credit, financial planning, accounting and securities. Many intern in financial institutions and participate in stock market game competitions, Junior Achievement, Virtual Enterprise, where they run all aspects of a mock business. All students are supposed to do 54 hours of community service each semester.

The school offers a nice selection of Advanced Placement classes and encourages students to take advantage of the coursework even though many do not earn at least a "3" on their AP exams, the minimum score needed to earn college credit. Spanish is the only foreign language taught.

Some students grumble about having to wear business attire to school. Girls wear uniforms of skirts or pants, a blouse, and dress shoes; boys wear pants, button-down collared shirts, ties and dress shoes.

In addition to internships students participate in PSAL sports teams and after school clubs and activities such as yoga, chess, cooking, media, dance, drama and community-based programs sponsored by Filipino American Human Services, Inc.

AFE occupies the 4th floor of an office building that also houses Bard High School Early College II and The High School of Applied Communication. Facilities include science labs, a library, theater, cafeteria and small gymnasium.

Special education: There are Integrated Co-Teaching classes with two teachers, one of whom is trained in special education.

After graduation: Most graduates attend CUNY or SUNY schools. Some attend private schools on scholarship. AFE partners with AVID, a not-for-profit that works with schools to improve students' college readiness. There is a full-time college counselor.

Admissions: Priority to Queens residents or students who attend an information session. (Laura Zingmond, statistics, news reports and interviews, November, 2012)