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Our Insights

What’s Special

Broad range of classes, programs and extra-curricular activities; ROTC program

The Downside

A large school may be overwhelming for some

Tottenville High School is a large, bustling school on the southern tip of Staten Island. It offers several themed program including two selective institutes—one in humanities and one in math and science—for very high-performing students and a Marine Corps Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program.

Typical of large schools, Tottenville’s size is its strength. There’s a broad selection of courses including honors sections in select subjects, as well as clubs, sports, internship opportunities, programs in the visual and performing arts, and a marching band. Students may study Italian, Spanish or Latin.

While students do not have to specialize in a specific talent or area of interest, there are opportunities to do so. Beginning in 10th grade, students may choose to join one of several CTE (career and technical education) programs where they take a three-year sequence of courses (in addition to a full academic workload) in one of several areas: finance, law, advertisement and design, architecture, automotive, TV production, computer science, culinary arts or health careers (medical or dental assistant paths).

College-level courses are plentiful and many students take at least one or earn professional certification in a skill by graduation. In addition to a nice range of Advanced Placement classes, students may earn college credit for free by taking courses at Wagner College and St. John’s University (Staten Island campus), or at Tottenville through a College Now partnership with Kingsborough Community College.

The school’s graduation rate and percent of students graduating with an Advanced Regents diploma exceed the citywide average.

Joseph Scarmato, a Tottenville parent himself (his three daughters attended), has been principal since 2014. A longtime educator with experience in both small and large high schools, Scarmato was the founding principal of the High School for Medical Professions and, prior to that, was an assistant principal at New Utrecht, both in Brooklyn.

Since his arrival, Scarmato has made changes to ensure that kids don’t feel lost or slip through the cracks in such a large school. He eliminated multiple sessions, so all students are now attending school across the same set of 10 periods each day. To cut down on lateness, classes are generally clustered by grade level in the same part of the building. For instance, sophomores don’t have to travel far when moving from their English to their history class.

Change is hard and some teachers don’t feel there’s a clear vision for the school, based on responses to the NYC School Survey, though most students say there are plenty of options to develop their talents and keep them interested. 

Tottenville has a high rate of college admissions. Graduates attend a range of schools, including CUNY, SUNY and private colleges. Top students have been admitted to highly selective schools in and out of state.

The school is also home to a Young Adult Borough Center (YABC), which is an evening academic program that caters to high school students who are behind in credits or have adult responsibilities that prevent them from attending school during the day.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: There is a wide range of special education services, including self-contained classes and ICT classes as well as occupational, physical and speech therapy. The school has an ASD Nest program that gives extra supports to a small group of students with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are otherwise fully integrated into Tottenville classes.

Tottenville is one of several sites that form The Hungerford School, which is part of the citywide district (D75) for students with severe disabilities. (Laura Zingmond, interview and news and web reports, March 2018)

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School Stats

Academics

School
Citywide
How many students graduate in 4 years?
 
94%
How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
 
87%
How many English language learners graduate in 4 years?
 
86%
Average daily attendance
 
91%
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
 
29%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school offers enough activities and services for their children's needs?
 
90%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school works to achieve the goals of their students' IEPs?
 
89%
From the 2023-24 School Quality Guide and 2024-25 NYC School Survey

Students

3754
Number of students
Citywide Average is 608

Race/Ethnicity


School
Citywide
Low-income students
 
56%
Students with disabilities
 
22%
Multilingual learners
 
4%
From the 2024-25 Demographic Snapshot

Safety & Vibe

School
Citywide
How many students were suspended?
 
1%
How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
 
86%
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
 
52%
How many students say that some are bullied at their school because of their gender or sexual orientation?
 
43%
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
 
94%
From the 2024-25 NYC School Survey and 2023-24 NY State Report Card

Faculty & Staff

School
Citywide
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
 
92%
4.0
Years of principal experience at this school
Citywide Average is 8
158
Number of students for each guidance counselor or social worker
Citywide Average is 119

Teachers’ Race/Ethnicity


How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
 
85%
Are teachers effective?
From the 2024-25 NYC School Survey, 2023-24 School Quality Guide, 2022-23 Report on School-Based Staff Demographics, 2025 Guidance Counselor Report, and this school's most recent Quality Review Report

College and Career Readiness

School
Citywide
How well are students prepared for college and careers after four years at this school? What is a College and Career Readiness (CCR) Score?
 
62
How many students take a college-level course or earn a professional certificate?
 
65%
How many students who have graduated from this high school stay in college for at least 3 semesters?
 
63%
From the 2023-24 School Quality Guide
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

Career Technical Education & Entrepreneurship (CTEE) (R30A)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

The CTEE pathway is comprised of thirteen programs within the growing 21st century STEAM and related industries: 1) Academy of Finance 2) Advertising Design 3) Automotive Technology 4) Architecture 5) Aviation 6) Computer Science 7) Cosmetology 8) Culinary Arts 9) Dental Chairside Assisting 10) Dental Laboratory Technology 11) Health/Medical Assisting Services 12) Law Academy 13) TV/Media Production. Each program is taught by teachers with experience from their respective field. Each STEAM program has state of the art classrooms which provide students with an exceptional learning experience. Advanced Placement and college level courses as well as internships available for eligible students. This program gives a priority to students who live in the zoned area for up to 50% of the seats.

Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (R30B)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

The Marine Corps JROTC program is co-sponsored by the Department of Education and the US Marine Corps. The curriculum is divided into three areas: academic, military, and physical fitness, and is designed to provide students with a sense of leadership and self-discipline.

Classics Institute (R30C)

Admissions Method: Screened

Program Description:

This four-year program is designed to challenge those students who are not only strong in the humanities and language areas, but also interested in pursuing careers in these or related professions. This four-year rigorous program, requires a serious commitment to adhering to the guidelines of the four-year curriculum. In addition to fulfilling all program requirements, students in this program are required to study languages other than English including Mandarin, and Spanish or Italian.

Visual Arts Academy (R30H)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

The Visual Arts Academy at Tottenville HS is a four year program that will provide you with opportunities to explore a variety of medium, tools, and subject matter while developing the necessary skills to be successful in the arts program beyond the high school level. From the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Smithsonian Institution, and throughout the city and world, Tottenville's highly-acclaimed Art Department have produced world class artists. This program gives a priority to students who live in the zoned area for up to 50% of the seats.

Music Academy (R30I)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

The Music Academy at Tottenville HS is a four year program that will provide you with opportunities and necessary skills to be successful in the music industry beyond the high school level. From AMERICAN IDOL to the concert halls of the world and throughout the city and world, Tottenville's highly-acclaimed Music Department have produced world class musicians. This program gives a priority to students who live in the zoned area for up to 50% of the seats.

Science Institute (R30S)

Admissions Method: Screened

Program Description:

This four-year program is designed to challenge students who are strong in math and science and are interested in pursuing careers in these or related professions. This is a four-year rigorous program, that requires a serious commitment adhering to the guidelines of the 4 year curriculum. In addition to fulfilling all high school requirements, students take a minimum of two college-level science classes and one year of college-level math.

Tottenville High School D75 Inclusion Program (R30U)

Admissions Method: D75 Special Education Inclusive Services

Tottenville High School ASD Nest Program (R30Y)

Admissions Method: ASD/ACES Program

Zoned (R30Z)

Admissions Method: Zoned Guarantee

Program Description:

This is a comprehensive academic, college preparatory program designed to prepare students for the world of college and career. Students can choose various electives within the zoned program. Honors, advanced placement and college level courses are available to eligible students.

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Italian Language and Culture, AP Music Theory, AP Physics 1, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP United States Government and Politics, AP United States History, AP World History: Modern, Chemistry (Advanced Science), ELA (College Course [Credited]), Math (College Course [Credited]), Other (College Course [Credited]), Physics (Advanced Science), Science (College Course [Credited]), Social Studies (College Course [Credited]), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)

Boys PSAL teams

Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Fencing, Football, Gymnastics, Handball, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling

Girls PSAL teams

Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Fencing, Flag Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Handball, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball

Coed PSAL teams

Golf

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

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

100 Luten Avenue
Staten Island NY 10312

Buses: S55, S56, S59, S78, SIM2, SIM24, SIM25


Contact

Principal: Gina Battista

Parent Coordinator: Concetta Assennato

Phone: 718-668-8800

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? No

This school is in its own building.

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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