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Our Insights

What’s Special

Huge variety of courses and activities, including impressive arts programs; on-site planetarium

The Downside

Overcrowding

Best known for its music, theater and art departments, Edward R. Murrow High School is a massive school that caters to all types of students: budding scientists, lawyers and entrepreneurs, as well as teens unsure of their interests.

The school keeps kids engaged by giving them lots of options and the space to explore them. Unlike schools that require students to specialize, students here don’t have to choose between studying art and conducting science research or taking business courses. They may take art classes and perform in school productions even if they are not enrolled in the arts programs. Being able to participate in the arts helps kids make new friends and “get a break from cliques,” according to a parent.

There are myriad Advanced Placement (AP) and honors courses, as well as class settings for students who are struggling. Rather than taking a traditional two-semester course, those needing extra support in classes such as algebra and living environment are taught the subjects over three semesters.

Group work and projects dominate in some classes, though in many classes teacher-directed lessons remain the norm. Regardless of the class structure, teachers try to build in time for student discussion and reflection.

Students with qualifying grades and test scores may be considered for MSTAR (Murrow Science Technology and Research), the school’s honors math and science program that grooms students for the Intel Science Talent Search and other science competitions. Many students in MSTAR are also enrolled in one of the screened arts programs.

Those interested in business and computer applications can participate in Virtual Enterprise (VE), a certified CTE (Career and Technical Education) program where students run all facets of a mock company and participate in local and national VE competitions. Other themed programs include medicine, law, dance and writing.

Murrow’s performing and fine arts programs are top-notch and attract a lot of talented students. The music department hosts 10 performance groups ranging from gospel and madrigal choirs to concert, jazz and symphonic bands. Theatrical performances take place throughout the year in the school’s 980-seat main theater and in the more intimate black box theater. Both venues are equipped with professional lighting and sound technology that are maintained by students in the technical theater program. Students create the sets and costumes for all theatrical performances and run the school's box office. Visual arts studios and classes abound; a lot of impressive student artwork is on display throughout the building.

A music technology program was created with support from Levi’s and performer Alicia Keys. Students learn all the technical aspects of music production in a state-of-the-art recording studio. Music technology classes follow an inclusion model, with half the seats reserved for students with special needs.

Despite overcrowding, Murrow manages to maintain a complex scheduling structure. Though conflicts are inevitable, in general students are not locked into a set of courses or locked out of others because of the program they’re admitted to in 9th grade. Classes meet four times a week at different times on different days, each for 50-minute periods called "bands." Students have free bands built into their schedules to give them time to relax, work independently and collaborate with their peers.

Classes in Murrow's seven gyms range from martial arts to yoga, and a television production room hosts film and broadcasting classes. Environmental science classes, after-school clubs and the hydroponics program make use of the school’s rooftop greenhouse. Astronomy, one of the school’s most popular classes, is taught in the cutting-edge planetarium, which draws a live data feed from the American Museum of Natural History’s Rose Center for Earth and Space. Many students spend their free time in the school’s student center, where there’s plenty of space for them to socialize, eat, work, relax or even play a game of ping pong or air hockey.

An eclectic mix of more than 50 student clubs and activities ensures that there’s something for everyone. Students also participate in all kinds of competitions, including art, performance, writing, math and mock trial.

In 2012, Murrow introduced PSAL sports teams for the first time in the school’s history and since then have expanded its options.

There’s a dedicated college office, and starting in the 11th grade guidance counselors visit classes to walk juniors through the college admissions process. Graduating students go on to CUNY and SUNY schools as well as highly selective private colleges and universities. Schools such as Cooper Union, Parsons, Pratt, School of Visual Arts and Rhode Island School of Design are popular among visual and fine arts students

SPECIAL EDUCATION: Murrow has self-contained and ICT (integrated collaborative teaching) classes, SETSS, physical and occupational therapy and adaptive physical education classes. There is an alternative assessment program that provides life skills and academic instruction for students who are unable to take a traditional academic load because of severe disabilities. As with the rest of the Murrow population, students in the alternative assessment programs may take arts classes and participate in school productions.

Special classes and push-in support are provided to English language learners (ELLs). Bilingual instruction is provided for native Spanish and Mandarin Chinese speakers. (Laura Zingmond, November 2014; updated via interview and web reports February 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?
 
85%
How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
 
70%
How many English language learners graduate in 4 years?
 
67%
Average daily attendance
 
86%
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
 
38%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school offers enough activities and services for their children's needs?
 
94%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school works to achieve the goals of their students' IEPs?
 
76%
From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide and 2020-21 NYC School Survey

Students

3622
Number of students
Citywide Average is 599

Race/Ethnicity


School
Citywide
Low-income students
 
66%
Students with disabilities
 
18%
Multilingual learners
 
8%
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?
 
83%
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
 
49%
How many students say that some are bullied at their school because of their gender or sexual orientation?
 
33%
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?
 
75%
10.5
Years of principal experience at this school
Citywide Average is 7
233
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?
 
88%
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

 
3%

Computer Science

 
17%

Physics

 
7%

Advanced Foreign Language

 
33%

AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science

 
33%

AP/IB Math or Science

 
11%

Music

 
51%
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?
 
69%
How many students take a college-level course or earn a professional certificate?
 
82%
How many students who have graduated from this high school stay in college for at least 3 semesters?
 
79%
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?
 
74%
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

Communication Arts (K57A)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

AP and research classes in all major curriculum areas in preparation for college and careers.

Bilingual Chinese (Mandarin) Communication Arts (K57B)

Admissions Method: Screened: Language

Program Description:

Instruction in content area classes uses student's native language and English. English is taught using English as a Second Language methods. The goal of the transitional bilingual education program is to develop academic skills in the student's native language and English while the student attains English proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Bilingual Spanish Communication Arts (K57C)

Admissions Method: Screened: Language

Program Description:

Instruction in content area classes uses student's native language and English. English is taught using English as a Second Language methods. The goal of the transitional bilingual education program is to develop academic skills in the student's native language and English while the student attains English proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Vocal Music (K57J)

Admissions Method: Audition

Program Description:

A discipline-based music education that includes large ensemble, small ensemble, solo performance, and musicianship.

Fine and Visual Arts (K57K)

Admissions Method: Audition

Program Description:

A discipline-based visual art education which includes studios in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, animation, digital media, photography, AP art history, and portfolio development.

Instrumental Music (K57L)

Admissions Method: Audition

Program Description:

A discipline-based music education that includes large ensemble, small ensemble, solo performance, and musicianship.

Studio Theater (K57P)

Admissions Method: Audition

Program Description:

A program that explores all the collaborative components of theater. Students learn all the aspects of theater including acting, technical theater, musical theater, and theater management.

Edward R. Murrow High School D75 Inclusion Program (K57U)

Admissions Method: D75 Special Education Inclusive Services

Edward R. Murrow High School ACES 15:1 Program (K57Y)

Admissions Method: ASD/ACES Program

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

French, Italian, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Chinese Language and Culture, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP French Language and Culture, AP Italian Language and Culture, AP Macroeconomics, AP Psychology, AP Research, AP Seminar, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Statistics, AP Studio Art - 2D, AP United States Government and Politics, AP United States History, AP World History: Modern, Biology (College Course [Credited]), Calculus (College Course [Credited]), 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), World Languages (College Course [Credited])

Boys PSAL teams

Badminton, Bowling, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling

Girls PSAL teams

Badminton, Cross Country, Soccer, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling

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

1600 Avenue L
Brooklyn NY 11230

Trains: B Line, Q Line to Av M

Buses: B11, B49, B6, B68, B9, BM1, BM3, BM4


Contact

Principal: Allen Barge

Parent Coordinator: Rosalind De Innocentiis

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? No

This school is in its own building.

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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