Our Insights
What’s Special
Field trips and lessons on climate justice
The Downside
Fewer course options due to size
Established in 1998 as Life Sciences Secondary School, The High School for Climate Justice offers lessons and field trips on climate justice alongside regular classes. Despite past challenges like declining enrollment, the elimination of middle school grades and low attendance, the school seeks to improve with new partnerships and opportunities tied to its climate theme.
Academics & Instruction: All 9th-graders take an introductory seminar on climate justice and 11th-graders are required to take Advanced Placement Environmental Science. Teachers in various grades create lessons that touch on climate. For example, a unit addressing voting rights demonstrates how policies affect the environment. At the same time, in math, students learn about voting trends and, in English, they read from "Our Time is Now," a book about voter suppression in the United States.
The school has a hydroponics lab where students grow herbs and lettuce without soil. Teens take field trips to Coney Island Creek to learn about sea level rise and erosion solutions. They visit Randall's Island, Governor’s Island and Westmoreland Sanctuary. Students may also join the "green team" club.
High-achieving students may take advanced classes plus college courses with Hunter College. If you need help, there's tutoring. Some students get internships at places like the American Museum of Natural History and hospitals on the east side of Manhattan.
Culture & Environment: Students stay with a grade-level counselor from 9th to 11th grade. Seniors get guidance on college and careers from a college counselor.
Enrollment is declining and a small school will offer fewer course choices. Some teens feel teachers don't notice their learning challenges, the school noted in its Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP). To improve, staff is providing more personal attention through weekly small group sessions and better communication with parents. Students stay with the same advisor all four years.
Students join Restorative Justice circles for healthy relationships, and may join clubs like Gender & Sexuality Alliance and Muslim Student Association. Families are invited to fun events, like ice skating, and students join activities such as band, fine arts, PSAL Sport teams and choir. Asphalt Green, a local sports complex, offers swimming classes and lifeguard certification.
Special Education & English as a New Language (ENL): Instructional Support Services (ISS) teachers are assigned students with IEPs when students enroll and follow them through to graduation.
Building & Facilities: Climate Justice is housed in a small, early 20th century red brick building located a block from East River esplanade, which the school uses for outdoor gym classes and activities. Hallways are cramped and classrooms are small. There is a renovated auditorium and dance room. The hydroponics lab has a partial prep kitchen. A fitness room has core and cardio equipment. The art room has a ceramics kiln.
College & Career: All students build a college & career portfolio. They take college trips and attend an annual Alumni Day event. There is a dedicated career and college counselor on staff. (Lydie Raschka, via web reports and interview October, 2023)
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School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Advanced Courses
Calculus
Not offered in 2021-21Computer Science
Physics
Advanced Foreign Language
Not offered in 2021-21AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science
AP/IB Math or Science
Music
College Readiness
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryHS for Climate Justice (M40A)
Program Description:
Focus on Life Sciences with science electives, internships, mentoring, and research opportunities.
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryAdvanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Psychology
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Soccer
Girls PSAL teams
Soccer, Softball, Volleyball
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
320 East 96 Street
Manhattan
NY
10128
Trains: to 96th St; Q
Buses: BxM1, BxM10, BxM6, BxM7, BxM8, BxM9, M101, M102, M103, M106, M15, M15-SBS, M31, M86-SBS, M96, M98
Contact
Other Details
This school is in its own building.
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