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Our Insights

What’s Special

Lots of support from teachers and counselors for college-bound students

The Downside

Longer school day and year may not appeal to some

Uncommon Charter High School, founded in 2009, is a supportive, structured school with high standards. Most students are accepted to a 4-year college and more than half stay all four years. The school emphasizes building good habits and a strong community. The school day is extended and the school year starts in August.

Academics & Instruction: All Uncommon high schools strive to maintain a steady culture and tone. Students sit in rows or chat in groups for discussions. Teachers use interactive methods, like turning and talking, to keep lessons engaging. There are double periods of math and English every day, and Saturday classes for extra help. In 2023, the number of graduating seniors with test scores high enough to enroll at CUNY without remedial help was around the citywide average. Most students take at least one Advanced Placement course.

Themes & Programs: Project Lead the Way, launched in 2018, gets students involved in hands-on learning in science, tech, engineering, and math (STEM). Recent grads are now choosing STEM majors like engineering, math, biology, and biochemistry in greater numbers, thanks to this program, reports the Brooklyn Paper

The school offers Spanish, art and theater. Clubs include drumline, photography, weightlifting, yoga, anime, photography, and soccer among others. Sports teams include volleyball, basketball, girls track and more.

Culture & Environment: All Uncommon schools emphasize routine and good habits, starting with a morning meeting. In high school, teens discuss current events, themes like Black History Month, and prep for college. Weekly assemblies include academic activities, awards, student speeches, and energizing African drumming. Inspirational talks, like those about sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, boost morale. Freshmen have monthly gatherings to build community and habits.

Students meet with advisors weekly to track academics. Grades 10-12 meet twice a week for unique projects, like lessons from a teaching artist or workshops with chess, photography, or cosmetology teachers.

Students are required to follow rules for behavior in classrooms and hallways, staying seated during lunch. The school emphasizes smooth transitions between activities. Uniforms, including tucked-in shirts, are required. Students are also encouraged to participate in community service, such as food drives, supporting causes like fundraising for breast cancer, and volunteering in the community. 

Special Education & English as a New Language (ENL): About one-quarter of the students have disabilities, and around 7 percent are learning English. Specially trained teachers work with individuals and small groups in and outside the classroom to offer support.

Building & Facilities: Located in a new building in Crown Heights, Uncommon Charter High School shares its building with Achievement First Brooklyn High School, also a charter school. The school has tidy hallways, bright red lockers, and college pennants. There is a nice-sized gymnasium, a rooftop turf field, a cafeteria and library.  

College & Career: The school has a solid college prep plan with a 1:17 counselor-to-student ratio. Students begin the process in 9th grade and freshmen and sophomores make at least two on-campus visits each year. 

Most students come from three Uncommon middle schools. Apply online at uncommonschools.org/enrollnyc Contact the school to inquire about space for students outside the network. (Lydie Raschka, web reports and interview, November 2023)

 

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School Stats

Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average

Academics

School
Citywide
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school offers enough activities and services for their children's needs?
 
89%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school works to achieve the goals of their students' IEPs?
 
89%
From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide and 2022-23 NYC School Survey

Students

870
Number of students
Citywide Average is 615

Race/Ethnicity


School
Citywide
Low-income students
 
80%
Students with disabilities
 
18%
Multilingual learners
 
3%
From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Safety & Vibe

School
Citywide
How many students were suspended?
 
10%
From the 2022-23 NYC School Survey and 2019-20 NY State Report Card

Faculty & Staff

School
Citywide
Are teachers effective?
From the 2022-23 NYC School Survey, 2022-23 School Quality Guide, 2021-22 Report on School-Based Staff Demographics, 2023 Guidance Counselor Report, and this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Advanced Courses

Which students have access to advanced courses at this school? Learn more

Calculus

 
31%

Computer Science

 
11%

Physics

 
22%

Advanced Foreign Language

 
3%

AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science

 
75%

AP/IB Math or Science

 
44%

Music

Not offered in 2021-21
From unpublished, anonymized data from the 2021-22 school year provided by the New York State Education Department, brought to you by

College Readiness

School
Citywide
How many students graduate with test scores high enough to enroll at CUNY without remedial help?
 
42%
From the 2020-21 and 2022-23 School Quality Guide
Visit Understanding FAFSA for help with the FAFSA and financial aid.
For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Contact & Location

Location

1485 Pacific Street
Brooklyn NY 11216

Trains: C Line to Kingston-Throop Aves; A Line to Nostrand Ave

Buses: B15, B25, B43, B44, B44-SBS, B65


Contact

Principal: Thomas O'Brien

Phone: 718-638-1868

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? Yes

This school shares a building with Achievement First Brooklyn High School

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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