Our Insights
What’s Special
Trips, projects and in-depth studies
The Downside
Some children miss many days of school
Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School, better known as WHEELS, offers trips, creative projects and activities that allow children to explore the world.
During a study of corn, for example, kindergartners drew corn on the husk in science, participated in a farm-to-table dance, and helped make salsa and corn fritters, a parent wrote in our comments.
“WHEELS is true holistic learning and we can't wait to watch our daughter continue to grow,” the parent said.
Founded as a middle and high school in 2006, WHEELS added pre-K and kindergarten classes in 2014, and will be a full pre-K to 12th-grade school by fall 2019.
Test scores are below average, but there are positive signs of growth. Attendance is improving, teachers work well together and nearly all would recommend the school, according to school surveys.
The school is part of the NYC Outward Bound network, a nonprofit that supports a dozen schools in the city, and follows the network’s EL Education model (formerly called expeditionary learning).
Kids meet daily in small groups of 15 with a teacher to make friends and get support. Sixth- and 9th-graders go on a camping trip that includes hiking and ropes courses. All 12th-graders participate in a two-week internship program to help them prepare for college and careers.
Trips are common here. Kindergartners work in the school garden and visit the Bronx Botanical Garden to study plants. High school students visit organic farms to learn about the food supply and travel to the Indian Point nuclear power plant to learn about energy.
Instead of traditional teacher-led conferences, children take charge. They show parents examples of their work and set goals for future performance
The school has a full-time and a part-time college counselor. Students visit college campuses and prepare applications and essays in school.
The middle and high school grades share a modern four-story building with IS 143 Eleanor Roosevelt. The building includes a health clinic and dental office, providing free services, but it lacks any significant outdoor space, so WHEELS has no recess period. Well-behaved high school students may go off campus during lunch. The school offers a range of after-school sports, but students must often take subways or buses to athletic fields on Randall’s Island or in the Bronx.
The school offers a range of instrumental music courses, including a jazz ensemble, as well as a film club and a popular after-school drama club. (Lydie Raschka, web reports, June 2018; updated June 2019)
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School Stats
Is this school safe and well-run?
From the 2022-2023 NYC School Survey
From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card
From this school's most recent Quality Review Report
From 2023 End-of-year Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Report
How do students perform academically?
From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database
From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide
What is the Pre-K like?
From the NYC Program Assessment (CLASS and ECERS-R) Database through 2019-2020
Who does this school serve?
From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot
From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide
From the 2020 School Directories
How does this school serve special populations?
From 2023 End-of-year Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Report
From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryWashington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (M88A)
Program Description:
Students participate in interdisciplinary learning across all subject areas.
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP English Language and Composition, AP Human Geography, AP Research, AP Seminar, AP Spanish Language and Culture, Calculus (Advanced Math), Chemistry (Advanced Science), Comp Sci/Math Tech (College Course [Credited]), ELA (College Course [Credited]), Other (College Course [Credited]), Other (College Course [Uncredited]), Physics (College Course [Credited]), Social Studies (College Course [Credited]), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Soccer
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Flag Football, Soccer
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
511 West 182Nd Street
Manhattan
NY
10033
Trains: to 181st St; to 175th St
Buses: Bx11, Bx13, Bx18, Bx3, Bx35, Bx36, Bx7, M100, M101, M3, M4, M5, M98
Contact
Other Details
This school shares the building with JHS 143
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