Tottenville High School
Grades: 9-12Our 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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Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryCareer Technical Education & Entrepreneurship (CTEE) (R30A)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Tottenville High School ASD Nest Program (R30Y)
Zoned (R30Z)
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 DirectoryAdvanced 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
Contact & Location
Location
100 Luten Avenue
Staten Island
NY
10312
Buses: S55, S56, S59, S78, SIM2, SIM24, SIM25
Contact
Other Details
This school is in its own building.
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