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Life Sciences Secondary School

Grades: 9-12
320 East 96th Street
Manhattan NY
Phone: 212-348-1694

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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 more

School Stats

Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average

Is this school safe and well-run?

From 2018-19 NYC School Survey

How many teachers say order and discipline are maintained at this school?
58%
75% Citywide Average
How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
89%
86% Citywide Average
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
36%
37% Citywide Average
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
74%
79% Citywide Average
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
81%
80% Citywide Average

From 2017-18 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
2%
2% Citywide Average

From this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Are teachers effective?

From 2018-19 School Quality Guide

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
72%
76% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
5.1

How do students perform academically?

From 2018-19 School Quality Guide

How many students graduate in 4 years?
79%
82% Citywide Average
How many students graduate with test scores high enough to enroll at CUNY without remedial help?
36%
48% Citywide Average
How many students take a college-level course or earn a professional certificate?
17%
41% Citywide Average
How many graduates stay enrolled in college for at least 3 semesters?
63%
67% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From 2019-20 Demographic Snapshot

Asian
8%
Black
27%
Hispanic
60%
White
3%
Other
2%
Free or reduced priced lunch
82%
Students with disabilities
21%
English language learners
10%

From 2018-19 School Quality Guide

How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
54%
38% Citywide Average

From 2020 School Directories

Uniforms required?
No

How does this school serve special populations?

From 2018-19 School Quality Guide

How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
50%
66% Citywide Average
How many English language learners graduate in 4 years?
63%
68% Citywide Average


For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Programs & Admissions

From the 2021 High School Directory

Life Sciences
Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.
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
NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

Upper East Side (District 2)
Trains: 6 Line, Q Line to 96th St
Buses: BxM1, BxM10, BxM6, BxM7, BxM8, BxM9, M101, M102, M103, M106, M15, M15-SBS, M31, M86-SBS, M96, M98

Contact

Principal
Kimberly Swanson
Parent Coordinator
Cecilia Gual
[email protected]
Visit school website

Other Details

Shared campus?
Yes
This school shares a building with another school.
Uniforms required?
No
Metal detectors?
No

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