One of the most popular high schools in the city, Beacon offers students a liberal arts education with a progressive bent, a rich arts curriculum, and caring teachers who always seem willing to help. Art rooms, a well-equipped photography lab, a small theater and music studios offer students the chance to work on creative projects in depth.

The Beacon School was founded in 1993 by teachers from the Computer School, who wanted to create a high school with the same cozy atmosphere and spirit of innovation that have made that West Side middle school popular. Its imaginative use of computers led Family PC magazine to name it one of the top 100 "most wired" schools in the United States.

Teachers pay attention to individual kids' interests and struggles. Each student has the same advisor for four years. Kids meet with their advisors in groups of 15 or 20 for 40 minutes twice a weeka chance to catch up on any academic or social problems they may be having. Teachers also meet informally with each other. "The teachers have a good personal relationship with the students," one girl said as she chatted with friend in the unusually civilized cafeteria. Her friend, a senior, added: "It's a very comfortable environment. My freshman English teacher is still my mentor and I haven't had her since freshman year." The principal, Ruth Lacey, seems to know most of the students by name and has a relaxed rapport with many, touching one child on the shoulder or chatting in the hall with another between classes.

The atmosphere is laid-back. Some classrooms have mismatched desks and chairs, worn wicker sofas and soft cushions for seats. The library is not only a place for serious study, but also a place where students may relax and listen to their iPods or even take a nap. Student artwork and writing cover the walls. In one project, students made cartoons and illustrations of The Scarlet Letter. In another, students cast Oedipus Rex as various modern day characters: Oedipus as a subway World Series game (with Yankee fans as the chorus) or Oedipus as the Lion King. Students read classics such as Hamlet, but also may take electives such as "sports literature." There's lots of room for class discussion and lively debate. "The teachers allow you to talk about things like politics, race, sexual orientation," said one girl.

Students may work on projects of their own choosing. In a science class, one student researched diseases of horses' mouths, while another investigated whether stress on trees made them more susceptible to galls, lumps on trees caused by parasites. A 9th grader made a Claymation video of ionic and covalent bondingan animated videotape of models of atoms. In a history class, students discussed how they would research projects on the Cold War. They decided not only to read books and items on the Internet, but also to visit the Spy Museum, listen to a talk by author Tom Clancy, and interview United Nations diplomats. Students seem tolerant of one another: a child in a wheelchair, a child with green hair, and a boy wearing a pink T-shirt emblazoned with the motto "Tough Guys Wear Pink" all seemed to fit in without comment from their peers.

A possible downside: while most students revel in the relative freedom, a few flounder with the open-ended assignments. "Kids who need to know 'tomorrow you read pages 10-12' tend to have a little trouble here," said a teacher. The school's enrollment has grown in recent years, and as it has become more crowded it has lost some of its small-school feel.

Admissions: Beacon is a selective school open to students from all five boroughs. Applicants are interviewed and asked to present a portfolio of their work. A student's grades, 7th grade standardized test scores, and teacher recommendations are also considered. About two-thirds of the students live on the Upper West Side.

Special education: Beacon offers special education teacher support services (SETSS), formerly called resource room. This school is featured in NYC's Best Public High Schools: A Parent's Guide. (Clara Hemphill, November 2005)

Overall I have been very happy with my son's experience at Beacon; he is now a senior. The one exception - and it's a big one - is the poor communication between the administration and parents. Perhaps there are a lot of demanding parents and they are thus defensive; but as a parent who has attempted twice in three years to get help, I have to say it's very difficult. Now this year, seniors are not fully programmed and there has been no communication about it. When most selective colleges want 4 years of science and my son can't get it (due to budget? I don't know since there has been no communication), will the college office communicate that on the transcripts? Or will my son's transcript make him look like a slacker? Other parents have been told to change schools if they don't like it. A little communication would go a long way.

"My son is now completing his freshman year at Beacon. We could not be happier with the school. He has received a stellar education this year, made friends from all over the city and been exposed to opportunites that far exceeded our expectations. We are elated and can't wait for next year!"

"When I first applied for Beacon, I thought that it would be a diverse school. Unfortunately, it isn't at all. I often feel uncomfortable and not happy at all. However, the teachers are very helpful and are available at any time which is difficult to find in many high schools."

A student from the school is among the 20 winners of the 2007 New York Times College Scholarships, which grants each winner with up to $7,500 a year for four years of college. (March 2007)

A parent complains that the school is "cliquish, and this holds true for the faculty as well as the student body." She believes that there are racial and class divisions at the school. (May 2004)

"Beacon is a warm caring community that knows how to relate to teenagers," writes a parent. "The teachers respect each child's learning style and help them adapt when they are floundering. My son has found his voice and has become a learner. Teachers encourage students to constantly "raise the bar" Thanks to the faculty and administration for treating our children with the respect and dignity they deserve. " (January 2004)