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H.E.R.O. High (Health, Education, and Research Occupations High School)

H.E.R.O. High (Health, Education, and Research Occupations High School)

Grades: 9-14

Our Insights

What’s Special

Students may graduate with a high school diploma and an associate’s college degree

The Downside

Many students miss a month or more of school

HERO High School is a six-year school serving grades 9 to 14. It is designed to permit students to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate's degree (or earn up to two years of college credit) in nursing or community health earned by taking free classes at Hostos Community College.

Students explore career options such as becoming a nurse, teacher, or nonprofit manager during 9th and 10th grades. By the end of 10th grade, they choose a pathway to focus on for the remainder of their time at HERO.

The school provides degrees and certifications for career readiness, like the licensed practical/vocational nurse training certificate. The Community Health program trains students to improve healthcare in minority communities. Non-profit management track students can apprentice with major employers beginning in the 11th grade. Paid internships are available for all students, whether at the school or in various industries like finance, technology, and business.

By their 5th year, students are immersed in college courses. Though they spend their days at Hostos College, 5th- and 6th-year students continue to receive counseling and tutoring from HERO staff.

The school provides comprehensive support for students. Tutoring is available daily. Study halls are led by the school’s strongest teachers who help students develop skills necessary for success in high school and college. In 9th grade, students take double periods of English and a public speaking course. Tenth-graders take psychology and sociology, in preparation for college-level coursework in the same subjects the following year.

Free counseling is offered to families and students. With at least six social workers on staff, there's one per 100 students. And students participate in advisory groups, remaining with the same group of students and advisor throughout their high school years.

A popular feature at HERO are Friday trips to the city’s museums, Montefiore Hospital, St. Mary’s Park, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and other destinations. Students travel with their advisory groups. 

Since 2021, the school has been expanding to accommodate 1000 students, nearly doubling its size. While the school is offering more enrichment, some students say teachers don’t notice when they are upset and report an increase in bullying, according to the NYC School Survey. Attendance remains a persistent issue, but the school actively monitors and supports students who struggle to show up regularly.

Many students stay all six years, but some graduate after four, opting to attend a four-year college. HERO welcomes its alumni back for job hunting, tutoring, and other support. 

Housed in the Samuel Gompers Educational Campus, HERO shares the building and sports teams with Mott Haven Community High School. More than 20 after-school activities include theater, visual arts, music, dance, anime, and herstory (feminist perspective of history). (Lydie Raschka, web reports and interview, May 2024)

 

 

 

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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?
 
79%
How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
 
70%
How many English language learners graduate in 4 years?
 
70%
Average daily attendance
 
79%
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
 
60%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school offers enough activities and services for their children's needs?
 
100%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school works to achieve the goals of their students' IEPs?
 
100%
From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide and 2020-21 NYC School Survey

Students

671
Number of students
Citywide Average is 615

Race/Ethnicity


School
Citywide
Low-income students
 
92%
Students with disabilities
 
23%
Multilingual learners
 
11%
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?
 
83%
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
 
48%
How many students say that some are bullied at their school because of their gender or sexual orientation?
 
41%
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
 
79%
From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey and 2019-20 NY State Report Card

Faculty & Staff

School
Citywide
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
 
83%
9.2
Years of principal experience at this school
Citywide Average is 7
100
Number of students for each guidance counselor or social worker
Citywide Average is 157

Teachers’ Race/Ethnicity


How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
 
83%
Are teachers effective?
From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey, 2021-22 School Quality Guide, 2019-20 Report on School-Based Staff Demographics, 2021 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 2019-20

Computer Science

Not offered in 2019-20

Physics

 
23%

Advanced Foreign Language

Not offered in 2019-20

AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science

Not offered in 2019-20

AP/IB Math or Science

Not offered in 2019-20

Music

Not offered in 2019-20
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?
 
47%
How many students take a college-level course or earn a professional certificate?
 
60%
How many students who have graduated from this high school stay in college for at least 3 semesters?
 
74%
From the 2020-21 and 2021-22 School Quality Guide
How many students filled out a FAFSA form by the end of their senior year?
 
36%
From the 2022-23 FAFSA data released by Federal Student Aid, brought 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

HERO High (Health, Education, and Research Occupations High School) (X37A)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

Students may take up to six years to complete their high school program which includes earning an Associate degree (or up to two years of college credit) and participating in internships.

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

Spanish

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), Arts (College Course [Credited]), Biology (College Course [Credited]), Chemistry (Advanced Science), Econ/Gov (College Course [Credited]), ELA (College Course [Credited]), Math (College Course [Credited]), Physics (Advanced Science), Social Studies (College Course [Credited]), World Languages (College Course [Credited])

Boys PSAL teams

Baseball, Basketball, Outdoor Track, Soccer

Girls PSAL teams

Basketball, Bowling, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Table Tennis, Volleyball

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

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

455 Southern Blvd
Bronx NY 10455

Trains: 2 Line, 5 Line to Jackson Av; 6 Line to East 143rd St-St Mary's St

Buses: Bx17, Bx19, Bx33, Bx4


Contact

Principal: Kristin Cahill Garcia

Parent Coordinator: Natalie Bacci

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? Yes

This school shares the Samuel Gompers Educational Campus with two other schools

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? Yes

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