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Life Sciences Secondary School
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Manhattan NY

Our Insights
What’s Special
Founded with collaboration of Mt. Sinai Hospital
The Downside
Low levels of academic achievement
Life Sciences was founded in 1998 in collaboration with Mt. Sinai School of Medicine to encourage black and Hispanic students to prepare for careers in medicine. Originally a combined middle and high school, it now serves only students in grades 9 to 12.
The school has had its ups and downs over the years. Attendance is poor and the graduation rate is low. Principal Kim Swanson has been the subject of unflattering stories in the New York Post, one claiming she spent thousands of dollars on a staff trip to Disneyland and another saying she ordered teachers to throw out textbooks and replace them with work sheets and online exercises. The school gets low marks on its Quality Review, the Department of Education’s evaluation by a seasoned educator.
Some years ago, students praised the collaboration with Mt. Sinai which allowed them to shadow doctors at the hospital. One student, now a registered nurse, credited Life Sciences with preparing her for nursing school. But the 2019 high school directory makes no mention of Mt. Sinai.
Admissions: The school has not filled its seats in recent years and has room for anyone who wants to apply. (Clara Hemphill, web reports, November 2018)
Read moreSchool Stats
Is this school safe and well-run?
From 2018-19 NYC School Survey
From 2017-18 NY State Report Card
From this school's most recent Quality Review Report
From 2018-19 School Quality Guide
How do students perform academically?
From 2018-19 School Quality Guide
Who does this school serve?
From 2019-20 Demographic Snapshot
From 2018-19 School Quality Guide
From 2020 School Directories
How does this school serve special populations?
From 2018-19 School Quality Guide
Programs & Admissions
From the 2021 High School Directory
Program Description:
Focus on Life Sciences with science electives, internships, mentoring, and research opportunities.
Academics
Language Courses
French, Spanish
Advanced Placement (AP) courses
AP Biology, AP Statistics, AP Psychology, AP United States History, AP English Literature and Composition
Sports
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
Contact
Other Details
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