Richard R. Green High School of Teaching

Named after the first African American New York schools chancellor, Richard R. Green High School of Teaching has built a reputation as a safe place where students may express themselves freely. Students call teachers by their first names and the staff has been trained in conflict mediation and restorative justice practices. The school was selected by the city as a “showcase school” to help other schools create an inclusive community for LGBTQ students. 

The focus of the school is broader than its name suggests. It is designed so students develop skills such as communication, planning and public speaking. While budding teachers may volunteer in local elementary schools, there are also paid internships with organizations such as Getty Images, Gawker, Harlem Youth Corp, Air France and Morgan Stanley. 

Principal Joan Weaver took the helm in 2017. Formerly in accounting, she began her education career as a math teacher in Far Rockaway, then taught at Repertory Company High School and Art and Design, where she also served as assistant principal. 

One of her first concerns was to reduce the high suspension rate, which was twice the citywide average. She has an open door policy and keeps an eye out for kids with “more challenging stories.” As a mother of four, she says, "It’s a much bigger picture than academics in raising a physically, mentally, socially healthy young adult.”

The school has a ways to go but data and school surveys show improvement in several areas under Weaver’s leadership. Attendance is better and more children graduate on time. The suspension rate has dropped. The school pairs a high-achiever with a child who struggles with academics and attendance. The outcome is that kids who might never talk to each other feel more connected, Weaver said.

Three-quarters of the students take four years of math and science, and there are now more Advanced Placement classes including AP computer science. With her math background, Weaver looked at test score data and set about “fine-tuning kids on the fence and making sure they got over the fence.” 

The school offers drama because Weaver believes it is beneficial for students who may want to be teachers. The only downside is there is no auditorium. “It’s a hard place to showcase the talent,” she said.

Support for college-bound students includes after school tutoring, as well as an SAT and college prep course once a week. College for Every Student increases college awareness and organizes trips. AVID (Achievement via Individual Determination) assists students in filling out college applications. SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity) provides financial and academic support for high-achieving students. Every year, former students return to talk about college and careers with current students.

Special education: Several special education teachers are dual certified in special education and a content area such as math or social studies. “The ICT [team-teaching] model here is one, unlike other schools, where the special ed teacher is a true colleague,” Weaver said. “It’s a seamless pairing.”

Admissions: Open to students from all five boroughs. Students are admitted by a formula designed to ensure a mix of different academic abilities. (Lydie Raschka, web reports and interview, October 2018)