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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

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

Is this school safe and well-run?

From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey

How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
72%
81% Citywide Average
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
59%
52% Citywide Average
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
91%
78% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
0%
2% Citywide Average

From this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Are teachers effective?

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
76%
80% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
0.8

How do students perform academically?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
38%
42% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
43%
51% Citywide Average

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many 8th-graders earn high school credit?
0%
60% Citywide Average
How many students graduate in 4 years?
93%
91% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
447
Asian
4%
Black
23%
Hispanic
69%
White
1%
Other
2%
Free or reduced priced lunch
89%
Students with disabilities
28%
English language learners
14%

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
89%
86% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
37%
45% Citywide Average

From the 2020 School Directories

Uniforms required?
No

How does this school serve special populations?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
0%
7% Citywide Average
For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Programs & Admissions

From the 2024 High School Directory

Medical and Health Sciences (X56A)

Admissions Method: Screened

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 Directory

Language 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

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

240 East 172 Street
Bronx NY 10457

Trains: 4 Line to Mt Eden Av; B Line, D Line to 170th St

Buses: Bx1, Bx11, Bx15, Bx18, Bx2, Bx32, Bx35, Bx41, Bx41-SBS, BxM4


Contact

Principal: Sarah Lenihan

Parent Coordinator: Romeo Rotgans

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? Yes

This school shares the Taft Educational Campus with five other schools

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? Yes

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