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Our Insights

What’s Special

Social justice theme

The Downside

Poor attendance

At the Bushwick School for Social Justice, students learn about ways to overcome “inequities, biases, and oppression” in society. For example, an English teacher might have students answer the question “Does power corrupt?” by reading texts such as Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies, and Macbeth.  Students in a history class might put Christopher Columbus on trial to learn about genocide, colonization, disease, and the exploitation of the New World, according to the school website.

The school shares the Bushwick Educational Campus with other small schools. Students must pass through metal detectors to enter.

The school gets high marks on the Quality Review for its positive culture and the teamwork of the staff. However, student attendance is poor.  (Clara Hemphill, school website, DOE statistics, August 2018)

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School Stats

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

Academics

School
Citywide
How many students graduate in 4 years?
 
89%
How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
 
86%
How many English language learners graduate in 4 years?
 
89%
Average daily attendance
 
79%
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
 
61%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school offers enough activities and services for their children's needs?
 
67%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school works to achieve the goals of their students' IEPs?
 
83%
From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide and 2022-23 NYC School Survey

Students

277
Number of students
Citywide Average is 615

Race/Ethnicity


School
Citywide
Low-income students
 
92%
Students with disabilities
 
18%
Multilingual learners
 
40%
From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Safety & Vibe

School
Citywide
How many students were suspended?
 
2%
How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
 
84%
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
 
37%
How many students say that some are bullied at their school because of their gender or sexual orientation?
 
30%
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
 
57%
From the 2022-23 NYC School Survey and 2019-20 NY State Report Card

Faculty & Staff

School
Citywide
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
 
54%
2.1
Years of principal experience at this school
Citywide Average is 7
101
Number of students for each guidance counselor or social worker
Citywide Average is 191
How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
 
86%
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

Not offered in 2021-21

Computer Science

Not offered in 2021-21

Physics

 
7%

Advanced Foreign Language

 
13%

AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science

 
13%

AP/IB Math or Science

Not offered in 2021-21

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?
 
21%
How many students take a college-level course or earn a professional certificate?
 
50%
How many students who have graduated from this high school stay in college for at least 3 semesters?
 
14%
From the 2020-21 and 2022-23 School Quality Guide

How many graduates who are eligible received Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) funding to attend a NYS college?
 
43%
This shows how well this school supports low-income students to get funding for college.
How many of those TAP recipients made it through college? Learn more
From unpublished, anonymized student-level data for the class of 2016-17 provided by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) in coordination with the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC), brought to you by
How many students filled out a FAFSA form by the end of their senior year?
 
38%
From the 2022-23 FAFSA data released by Federal Student Aid, brought to you by 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

Programs & Admissions

From the 2024 High School Directory

Humanities and Interdisciplinary (K54A)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

A challenging program with emphasis on addressing social justice issues around our community and the nation. Students will have the opportunity to take elective courses in a variety of subject areas with a focus on social justice issues.

Collegiate Scholars (K54B)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

Under the direction and sponsorship of various colleges and universities, The Brooklyn School for Social Justice (BSSJ) offers scholars the opportunity to simultaneously earn both a high school diploma and transferable college credits. Our Scholars can enroll in the University in the High School Program (UHS) through SUNY-Albany. They can also qualify for the College Now Program through The City University of New York (CUNY), and other private colleges and universities. Students will also have the option of enrolling in Advanced Placement courses including AP Art, AP Spanish, AP Human Geography and AP Computer Science. These students are also afforded the option of early graduation, internships and special college trips.

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

Spanish

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Studio Art - 2D, Arts (Advanced Placement), Chemistry (Advanced Science), Physics (Advanced Science), Social Studies (College Course [Credited])

Boys PSAL teams

Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, Swimming, Volleyball

Girls PSAL teams

Badminton, Basketball, Softball, Swimming, Volleyball

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

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

400 Irving Avenue
Brooklyn NY 11237

Trains: L Line, M Line to Myrtle Av

Buses: B13, B20, B26, B38, B52, B54, B60, Q55, Q58


Contact

Principal: Patrick Cooper

Parent Coordinator: Alejandra Uribe Ortiz

Phone: 718-381-7100

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? Yes

This school shares the Bushwick Educational Campus with three other schools

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? Yes

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