The vision: Classes in drama, studio art and dance give students a reason to come to school.

The reality: This school has a sweet tone. Teachers are young and energetic and seem to care a lot about the kids. Class changes are noisy, but kids were quiet and engaged in the classes we visited. The school has a black-box theater, an art studio and well-kept dance studio with floor to ceiling mirrors.

However, attendance is very poor and the level of academic achievement is low. In a history class, kids were learning how to use the index of their textbook to look up names like “Bismark,” the 19^th century statesman who unified Germany. In math class, they were using measuring sticks to calculate the area of bulletin boards. About 75 students receive special education services and 100 are studying English as a Second Language. Only about half the students graduate on time.

The school offers pizza parties as an incentive to improve attendance and also works with WHEDco, a Bronx social services agency, to develop ways to bring back students who have missed many months of school. Alicia Wargo, formerly the assistant principal, became principal in May, 2012.

DreamYard Project, Inc., a not-for-profit arts-education group, opened DreamYard Prep in the Taft Educational complex in 2006. The organization offers an extensive after school program as well as classes during the school day. It also provides other resources such as a fulltime social worker and a school culture coordinator, according to Michael Alcoff, the network leader.

Most students say they feel safe inside the Taft building. However, some complain of bullying and many say they don’t feel safe in the area around the school because of gang activity, according to the Learning Environment Survey. Students must pass through metal detectors to enter the building. (Clara Hemphill, December 2011; updated July 2012)