At Richard R. Green High School of Teaching students interested in a career in education may take teaching classes and work with children in public elementary schools. Green offers a safe environment where students wear uniforms and are on a first-name basis with teachers.

Under the leadership of David Raubvogel, who was assistant principal for four years before becoming principal in 2008, attendance and graduation rates have improved.Yet, student progress and performance lag, with the number of college-ready graduates below average. To improve attendance, staff targets latecomers and absentees, using wake-up calls and incentives including attendance contests on Fridays.

Students interested in becoming teachers take courses such as Child Development, Lesson Planning and Urban Challenges in Education. Eleventh and 12^th graders in the internship program complete three hours of service per week. Those who are not interested in teaching may attend the Liberal Arts Academy which offers electives in humanities, business and the arts, such as Classic Film, History of New York City, History through Film, Sociology, and Leadership.

Advanced placement courses include U.S. History, English, U.S. Government, Biology, and World History. There are French and Spanish language classes.

One recommendation from the 2010-2011 Quality Review was that teachers get professional training in social-emotional development so they can better support students' non-academic needs. A significant number of teachers (44 percent) said that the principal was not an effective manager, according to the 2012 Learning Environment Survey. 

The school is located in the heart of Wall Street in a landmark building with a renovated, modern interior. The well-equipped space has a gym, weight room, cafeteria and science labs. The building also houses Young Women's Leadership Academy and IS 896 Lower Manhattan Community Middle School.

College admissions: College for Every Student (CFES) assists students with college awareness, goal setting and finding service projects. College Summit provides application and essay assistance. Achievement via Individual Determination (AVID) helps “middle achieving” students with skills needed to succeed in college. Every year, former students return to talk about college and careers with current students. Some students are selected to attend a two-week summer writing seminar at Williams College. Many students attend CUNY and SUNY schools, while a few have been accepted to private schools and some have won POSSE scholarships.

Special education: The school offers Integrated co-Teaching classes (ICT) and Special Education Teacher Support Services (SETSS).

Admissions: Educational Option, a formula that ensures a mix of high and low-performing students (Lydie Raschka, DOE statistics, online interviews, October 2012).