Housed in the top three floors of an old factory building in downtown Brooklyn, Freedom Academy High School has lots of problems: very low attendance, a poor graduation rate, and a leaky roof.

On the positive side, it’s a school that willingly accepts students with very low levels of skills. Students take trips to museums and zoos to acquaint them with the city. Alyson Forde, who became principal in 2006 after serving as Freedom Academy's assistant principal for four years, keeps her door open to students and knows most by name.

For many years, Freedom Academy served as a law-oriented, small alternative high school for students whose needs were not met at traditional schools. Then, in 2002, the school shifted gears and began accepting mostly 9th-graders, transforming itself into a regular, four-year high school.

Special Education: The school has self-contained classes, composed entirely of students with special needs, as well as collaborative team teaching classes, which are taught by two teachers, one with special education certification. The school also offers SETSS (Special Education Teacher Support Services) to students who need extra attention.

Admissions: Educational option. (Clara Hemphill, statistics, interviews, August 2012)