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Our Insights

What’s Special

Art, dance, instrumental music, vocal music and drama; strong student support

The Downside

Academic achievement has a ways to go

Theatre Arts Production Company (TAPCo), a combined middle and high school, offers a family-like environment for aspiring artists, musicians, singers, dancers and actors. Ron Link, principal since in 2012, has an inspiring vision and has gained the trust of both staff and students, according to school surveys.

While the school is still working to improve discipline and strengthen academics, TAPCo is a viable option for artistic students in one of the roughest neighborhoods in the Bronx. Class participation is high, and top students are challenged, according to the city’s Quality Review. 

The administration has done a good job finding extras resources for the school: It has a new rooftop garden and outdoor performance space, along with a renovated dance studio, full-sized auditorium, a theater-scene shop, a video production studio, two chorus rooms, and an art room. A scientist-in-residence works with students on experiments and projects.

Students may specialize in visual arts, dance (including hip hop), instrumental music, vocal music or theater. All students perform more than 12 times a year at events throughout New York City. Some students work in paid internships through Center for Arts Education, the 92nd Street Y, Sound Thinking NYC and the Police Athletic League with Tony Danza.

While school surveys show bullying does exist at the school, the staff helps students work out problems, starting with the administration. Some students freely approached Principal Ron Link during our visit, and he took the time to listen as they resolved a conflict. When a student came in without jacket on a brisk winter day, a staffer noticed and discretely took the teen into a room to select a coat. Instead of suspending students, teachers meet with teens in Restorative Circles, where they follow a series of steps to talk through conflicts before they escalate into fights. 

Dramatization is another tool the school uses to demonstrate the harmful impact of bullying. Gangs are a presence in the community but the staff has been trained to look for signs of trouble. TAPco also has a strong relationship with the local police precinct. 

An on-site medical and mental health clinic offers students a place “where you can learn from adults who can help you channel your anger and keep you focused,” according to the Quality Review.

For high-achievers, the school offers Advanced Regents Diplomas with Arts endorsement, or CTE (Career and Technical Education) endorsement for Television Production, and four Advanced Placement courses. 

The school has many partnerships including with Roundabout Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Hip Hop Conservatory, Elisa Monte Dance, Fred Dolan Art Academy, Reidi Dance, Hispanic Information Television Network, Broadway Bridges, and Bronx Borough Arts Festivals, among others.  

In 2016 and 2017 TAPCo was placed on the "Best Public High Schools in America" list at the bronze level in U.S. News and World Report. TAPCo shares a building with MS 391. 

College: There is a full-time college counselor. College Now is available at Lehman for students who opt in. Students are engaged in the college conversation as early as middle school, and, while some thought it was too soon, the high school seniors who did take advantage of those early opportunities said they were grateful. 

Special education: TAPCo takes pride in helping students with special needs and those still learning English through its arts program. Rehearsals are adapted to meet the needs of students with “severe dyslexia, social-emotional impairments, cognitive functioning below grade level, and those actively learning the English language,” according to the Comprehensive Educational Plan. The school serves students in self-contained classes as well as team-teaching classes. We saw an Advanced Placement seminar course in which students with special needs read an essay and worked in small groups with their peers. (Jacqueline Wayans, January 2019) 

 

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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?
82%
81% Citywide Average
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
55%
52% Citywide Average
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
87%
78% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
1%
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?
88%
80% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
10.5

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?
39%
42% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
44%
51% Citywide Average

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many 8th-graders earn high school credit?
36%
60% Citywide Average
How many students graduate in 4 years?
84%
91% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
493
Asian
1%
Black
25%
Hispanic
69%
White
1%
Other
5%
Free or reduced priced lunch
87%
Students with disabilities
28%
English language learners
9%

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
78%
86% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
67%
45% Citywide Average

From the 2020 School Directories

Uniforms required?
No

How does this school serve special populations?

From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide

How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
78%
85% Citywide Average

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

Instrumental Music (X20B)

Admissions Method: Audition

Program Description:

Small group instruction in traditional Band Instruments. Jazz Band, Latin Band, Music Theory, Music History, Improvisation, Sight Singing, and Piano. On- or off-site private lessons by audition.

Vocal Music (X20C)

Admissions Method: Audition

Program Description:

General Choir, Show Choir, Jazz Choir, and Women's Choir. Music Theory, Music History, Improvisation, Sight Singing, Piano; On- or off-site private lessons by audition.

Dance (X20R)

Admissions Method: Audition

Program Description:

Students learn modern dance, ballet, hip-hop, composition technology, and principles of dance. Pedagogy is blended to help students develop their own unique voice and gain competitive skills needed to succeed after high school.

Drama (X20S)

Admissions Method: Audition

Program Description:

Students learn acting technique, scene study, voice and diction, movement, musical theater, theater history, audition preparation, digital resume building, script analysis, directing, lighting design, and stagecraft. Students perform in full stage and small studio classical, modern, and musical theater productions.

Visual Arts (X20T)

Admissions Method: Audition

Program Description:

Students develop their artistic skills as they progress through classroom assignments using a variety of drawing, painting, sculpture, photography & digital design media. Students apply to the well-known Fred Dolan Art Academy, a Saturday professional artist-led program that helps students develop their portfolios and full scholarships for college. Students learn valuable artistic, literacy, and technical skills in the contemporary work world of the Visual Arts.

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

Spanish

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP United States History, Calculus (Advanced Math), Physics (Advanced Science)

Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

2225 Webster Avenue
Bronx NY 10457

Trains: 4 Line to 183rd St; B Line, D Line to 182nd-183rd Sts

Buses: Bx1, Bx15, Bx2, Bx32, Bx36, Bx40, Bx41, Bx41-SBS, Bx42, BxM4


Contact

Principal: Ron Link

Parent Coordinator: Roque Bonilla

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? Yes

This school shares a building with the Angelo Patri Middle School

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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