Our Insights
What’s Special
Programs in humanities, engineering, medicine, and dual language Spanish
The Downside
Many students miss a month or more of school
A. Philip Randolph is a midsize high school that offers programs in humanities, engineering and medicine, with courses tailored to each program's theme. It also has a dual language Spanish program. The school, housed in its own gothic-style building with high ceilings and natural light, has been supporting the Harlem community for more than 40 years.
Academics & Instruction: Students have the option to take advanced courses in medical, engineering and humanities. Class examples include scientific research methods, digital electronics, and film as literature. Students may take advantage of internships, mentorship by City University of New York medical students and free college courses through City College of New York, Borough of Manhattan Community College and Touro College.
Apart from academics, the school also offers all students a wide range of extra-curricular and athletic activities. After school activities range from musical and arts productions to STEM activities such as robotics. A. Philip Randolph offers a full range of sports including varsity football, basketball and swimming.
Culture & Environment: Teachers provide academic, social and emotional support to students through regular check-ins. Ninth-graders have their own social worker to help students transition from middle school to high school.
The school embraces its ethnic and cultural diversity. A faculty equity leader works with the staff to ensure that courses include a Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Education (CRSE) lens to lessons, books and other teaching materials. Students may participate in the Annual Winter Heritage Festival that celebrates the school’s diverse cultures through dance during the holiday season. The school has a gay-straight alliance club and an African American club.
Like many schools, A. Philip is dealing with the issue of absenteeism—more than half the students miss at least a month of school—but staff are working to improve the attendance rate through a community outreach committee.
Themes & Programs: Incoming students are invited to a six-week summer program, where they participate in daily classes to improve their mathematics, literacy and science skills. They also enjoy weekly trips to places such as the Bronx zoo and the Museum of Natural History.
Availability of advanced courses in medicine, engineering and the humanities from grade nine help students prepare for competitive college admissions.
Special Education & English as a New Language (ENL): A. Philip Randolph provides help for English Language Learners through standalone classes for beginners and combined classes for students transitioning, expanding and commanding proficiency levels. The school also has a dual language program that supports students towards mastery in reading, writing and speaking in both English and Spanish .
Building & Facilities: Previously home to The High School of Music and Art, the building won landmark status by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1997. Housed in one building, the school enjoys its own 1,000 seat auditorium, full sized gymnasium, weight room, spin room, computer labs and science labs.
College & Career: The school has a full time college counselor as well as paid student interns who work alongside teachers in classrooms, provide workshops, and are available to all grade levels. Free Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) prep classes for 11th graders are also provided. (Anisha Mukherjee, web reports and interview, August 2023)
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School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Advanced Courses
Calculus
Computer Science
Not offered in 2021-21Physics
Advanced Foreign Language
AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science
AP/IB Math or Science
Music
College Readiness
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryAcademic Professions (M19B)
Program Description:
Liberal arts curriculum. Electives are offered in all subject areas, including technology.
The Academy of the Humanities (M19C)
Program Description:
This academy offers students the opportunity to explore the liberal arts as they prepare for entry to a competitive college or university. Students take courses such as Introduction to the Humanities, Multicultural Studies, The Language of Argument, Reading and Writing New York, Dystopian Novels, AP US History, AP English Composition, and AP English Literature.
The Academy of Engineering (M19J)
Program Description:
This academy offers students the opportunity to explore careers in Engineering. Students take courses as part of the national Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum which is taught at America's top secondary schools for engineering. More information about the PLTW program can be found at pltw.org.
The Academy of Medicine (M19K)
Program Description:
This academy allows students to explore careers in the health professions. Students take courses such as Introduction to Health Careers, Anatomy and Physiology, Sports Medicine, and Science Research. Students may also apply to the prestigious Gateway to Medicine honors program through CCNY which offers exclusive college prep and internship experiences. Students in the Gateway program are also offered enrichment opportunities with the Sophie Davis School of Medicine within CCNY.
Dual Language Spanish Program (M19L)
Program Description:
Dual Language programs are designed to integrate English Language Learners with English-proficient students to receive content instruction in English and a target language. This program is open to all students regardless of interest area.
A. Philip Randolph Campus High School ACES 15:1 Program (M19Y)
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP United States History, AP World History: Modern, Calculus (Advanced Math), Chemistry (Advanced Science), Physics (Advanced Science), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Football, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Swimming, Volleyball, Wrestling
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
443 West 135 Street
Manhattan
NY
10031
Trains: to 137th St-City College; , to 135th St
Buses: Bx19, Bx33, M10, M100, M101, M104, M11, M125, M2, M3, M4, M5
Contact
Other Details
This school is in its own building.
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