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High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology

Grades: 9-12
Staff Pick Staff Pick for Special Ed

Our Insights

What’s Special

Big school that feels like a small one; four-year software engineering program

The Downside

Large class sizes in the upper grades

The High School for Telecommunication Arts and Technology (HSTAT) is a big school that acts like a small one. Located in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, HSTAT is a friendly and supportive school with roughly 1300 students and a nice array of courses and activities to ensure that there's something for everyone.

Xhenete Shepard a former teacher and assistant principal at HSTAT has been the school’s principal since January 2014.

While the school delivers on its name with courses in arts, photography and computer programming, it is the human touch that students and staff say makes the school special. "I was surprised by how accepting everyone is," said a student who transferred into HSTAT at the start of 11th grade. "I made friends quickly here." In addition to each grade having a dedicated guidance counselor for all four years, each student has an academic advisor—a teacher who keeps tabs on students' scheduling and progress.

Peer support is emphasized too. Older students help out as tutors and take on the role of mentor to younger students. Seniors show freshmen around the building on the first day of school and visit their classes monthly to talk about the college process and how to be successful in high school. The two grades also take a field trip together in October on the day that sophomores and juniors take the PSAT at school.

The staff is committed to helping all students reach their potential—whether they receive special education services, take regular or honors classes, or a mix of all three. For instance, a student who performs poorly in his math class often moves on to the next level, while also receiving extra support, rather than repeating coursework. As one math teacher explained, "remediation doesn't work if it's simply doing the same thing again, but this time louder and slower." The school offers two types of algebra 2 classes, one geared for struggling students who need extra support and one for those stronger in math. To help kids stay on track, tutoring is offered in all subjects after school and on weekends. Every day for an hour after school, teachers are available in the library for homework help. 

Classroom instruction in all subjects is a mix of class-wide discussions, group work and independent work. Teachers also collaborate to develop the curriculum in each subject. In their classrooms, they customize lessons to address their students' strengths and weaknesses rather than rely heavily on scripted lessons and worksheets. Most 9th-grade classes are kept to roughly 28 students. In the upper grades class sizes increase to 30 to 35 students.

Writing is emphasized in all subjects. The school uses the Hochman Method, which offers a lot of structure and explicit instruction in the fundamentals of writing. Teachers in all subjects have been trained in the method, which allows them to use the same language and practices whether it’s a math teacher discussing how students should explain their approach to solving a problem or a history teacher critiquing essays. All 9th-graders take a “health writing” course where they read and learn about health topics while getting intensive instruction in writing. As part of their 10th-grade history requirement, students take a research class that lays the foundation for a big social science research project that all 12th-graders complete before graduation.

Students who are ready for a challenge have plenty of options. In addition to honors classes in select courses, the school offers a variety of Advanced Placement courses and College Now courses taught on-site through a partnership with Kingsborough Community College.

Once admitted, students may apply to participate in a four-year software engineering program where they learn programming languages, computer application development, robotics and graphic design.

There are plenty of elective classes, clubs and sports. Some 250 students take part in the chorus. Fashion design, theater and dance are offered either as electives or as after-school programs.

A summer bridge program serving roughly 120 incoming 9th-graders focuses on community-building and boosting academic skills before the official start of high school. The program culminates with a visit to a college.

The college office is staffed with two fulltime counselors. Students visit college campuses in and outside of the city during all four years. Many graduates attend CUNY and SUNY colleges, and each year some attend private colleges including Ivy League and other highly competitive schools.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: More than 250 students receive services including physical and occupational therapy, speech, counseling, integrated co-teaching (ICT) and self-contained classes. The school has an ASD Nest program that gives extra support to a small group of students with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD Nest students have a dedicated period each day for support services, but otherwise are fully integrated into HSTAT classes. There is a fifth guidance counselor who supports ASD Nest students as well as those learning English.  (Laura Zingmond, interview and web reports,  September 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?
 
95%
How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
 
86%
How many English language learners graduate in 4 years?
 
86%
Average daily attendance
 
91%
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
 
28%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school offers enough activities and services for their children's needs?
 
88%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school works to achieve the goals of their students' IEPs?
 
85%
From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide and 2020-21 NYC School Survey

Students

1273
Number of students
Citywide Average is 599

Race/Ethnicity


School
Citywide
Low-income students
 
76%
Students with disabilities
 
22%
Multilingual learners
 
10%
From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Safety & Vibe

School
Citywide
How many students were suspended?
 
0%
How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
 
90%
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
 
38%
How many students say that some are bullied at their school because of their gender or sexual orientation?
 
24%
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?
 
62%
8.6
Years of principal experience at this school
Citywide Average is 7
199
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?
 
80%
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

 
5%

Computer Science

 
4%

Physics

 
21%

Advanced Foreign Language

 
94%

AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science

 
23%

AP/IB Math or Science

 
22%

Music

 
24%
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?
 
74%
How many students take a college-level course or earn a professional certificate?
 
97%
How many students who have graduated from this high school stay in college for at least 3 semesters?
 
83%
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?
 
79%
From the 2022-23 FAFSA data released by Federal Student Aid, brought you by
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

Telecommunication Arts and Technology (K59A)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

A college preparatory institution offering a wide range of challenging academic courses. Computers are used as a tool to enhance the academic lives of our students.

High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology D75 Inclusion Program (K59U)

Admissions Method: D75 Special Education Inclusive Services

High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology ASD Nest Program (K59Y)

Admissions Method: ASD/ACES Program

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

Spanish

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Statistics, AP United States History, Arts (College Course [Credited]), Chemistry (Advanced Science), ELA (College Course [Credited]), Math (College Course [Credited]), Physics (Advanced Science), Social Studies (College Course [Credited]), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)

Boys PSAL teams

Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Handball, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Swimming, Volleyball

Girls PSAL teams

Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Handball, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball

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

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

350 67 Street
Brooklyn NY 11220

Trains: N Line to 59th St; R Line to Bay Ridge Av

Buses: B37, B4, B63, B64, B9, SIM1, SIM10, SIM11, SIM15, SIM1C, SIM2, SIM3, SIM31, SIM32, SIM33, SIM33C, SIM34, SIM35, SIM3C, SIM4, SIM4C, SIM4X, SIM5, SIM6, SIM7, SIM9, X27, X28, X37, X38


Contact

Principal: Xhenete Shepard

Parent Coordinator: Barbara Yarshevitz

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? No

This school is in its own building.

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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