Our Insights
What’s Special
Students may earn two free years of college credit
The Downside
Too soon to say; Imposing building with few windows
Students at Manhattan Early College School for Advertising may earn two years of free college credit in addition to a high school diploma. Some graduate with an associate's degree in four years; others may stay up to six years. Founded in 2014, the school has attracted a team of experienced teachers who are enthusiastic about the school. it has quickly established a safe tone, an above average attendance rate and lots of support for students.
The small size makes it possible for teachers to get to know families. MECA hosts annual dinners for families on each grade to review academic expectations for both high school and college courses, according to the CEP (comprehensive educational plan). Teacher-advisors meet three times a week with small groups of children, and reach out to parents of their advisees at least once a month, and more if the child is struggling.
The school has found ways to help struggling students. Ninth graders who are behind in reading are placed in a literacy course with just 6-8 other teens. Every day, students have "learning lab," where they get support from tutors in small groups. The school’s partner, BMCC (Borough of Manhattan Community College) pays students and graduates of the college to be teaching assistants in classrooms. The whole school community has a daily 10-minute meeting, in addition to advisories, to check in with students and provide support.
Students take no more than four courses each semester. This allows them to focus on fewer subject areas and teachers to focus on fewer pupils. Classes are 75 minutes long but teachers mix up the session with activities, art and technology not just lectures according to the CEP.
Principal Matthew Tossman is an English teacher with a doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania. Most teachers say he is an effective manager on school surveys but it is too soon to say how the students are performing academically.
Because the high school operates on a college schedule, there are three weeks in January and two weeks in June when students don't have regular classes. Instead, teachers design week-long intensive classes for children to choose from. In the school's first year, these included curating an exhibit with the Museum of Art and Design, visiting ad agencies to work on marketing strategies for the school, starting the school magazine, and making podcasts to accompany walking tours of lower Manhattan.
The school has visual art and theater but there is no music according to the Arts in School Report.
Manhattan Early College is located in the Murry Bergtraum High School for Business Careers building, which also houses the Urban Assembly School for Emergency Management and The Maker Academy. Sports are campus wide. The imposing building has few windows and is located in an out-of-the-way spot adjacent to NYPD headquarters.
SPECIAL EDUCATION: Nearly one-quarter of MECA students have IEPs (individualized education programs) and require special needs. Seniors who have fallen behind are scheduled for an additional three blocks of small group instruction, among other supports. (Lydie Raschka, web reports, September 2018)
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School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Advanced Courses
Calculus
Not offered in 2021-21Computer Science
Not offered in 2021-21Physics
Advanced Foreign Language
AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science
AP/IB Math or Science
Music
Not offered in 2021-21College Readiness
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Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryManhattan Early College School for Advertising (M73A)
Program Description:
Students engage in a rigorous, project-based curriculum that blends art, technology, and creative problem solving. Students have the option to graduate from MECA after four years with a CTE-endorsed high school diploma and up to 36 college credits or to stay for six years and graduate with a high school diploma, an Associate Degree from the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) and two years of paid work experience.
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
American Sign Language, French, Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP United States History, Arts (College Course [Credited]), Chemistry (Advanced Science), Chemistry (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, Cross Country, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Volleyball, Wrestling
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Cross Country, Flag Football, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Softball, Volleyball
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
411 Pearl Street
Manhattan
NY
10038
Trains: , to Park Place; , , , to Fulton St; , , , , to Chambers St; , to Canal St; to City Hall
Buses: BM1, BM2, BM3, BM4, BxM18, M103, M15, M15-SBS, M22, M55, M9, QM11, QM25, QM7, QM8, SIM1, SIM10, SIM11, SIM15, SIM1C, SIM2, SIM3, SIM31, SIM32, SIM33C, SIM34, SIM35, SIM3C, SIM4, SIM4C, SIM4X, SIM5, SIM6, X27, X28, X37, X38
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Other Details
This school shares the Murry Bergtraum Educational Campus with three other schools
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