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H.E.R.O. High (Health, Education, and Research Occupations High School)

Grades: 9-12

Our Insights

What’s Special

Students may graduate with a high school diploma and an associate’s college degree

The Downside

School's growth means more class offerings and activities, but its larger size may not appeal to all

HERO High School wants South Bronx teens to look around the world, figure out who they are, and choose a career thoughtfully—not just take a career path solely out of necessity. Ninth- and 10th-graders do a deep dive into the three career pathways the school offers: education, health care, and nonprofit business management. Teens visit hospitals, schools, and businesses, and make an informed choice about which career pathway they want to study by the end of 10th grade. 

Students may stay up to six years as they pursue a high school degree and a free associate’s degree (up to two years of college credit). This CTE (career and technical education) school also offers a licensed practical/vocational nurse training certificate.

The school has overlapping safety nets for students; academically, socially, and emotionally. Starting freshman year, teens have access to tutoring in every subject, every day. The school offers free counseling for families and students. There are at least six social workers on staff: one per 100 students. All students participate in paid internships earning between $15 and $25 an hour at companies in finance, technology and business. 

Preparation for college starts early. Study halls take place with HERO’s strongest teachers, who help students practice the good study skills necessary for college. Ninth-graders take double periods of English and a public speaking course. Tenth-graders take psychology and sociology. Some high school subjects are designed to complement college classes. For example, students take high school-level anatomy and physiology the year prior to taking a college-level version of the course.

By their 5th year, students are immersed in college courses. Though they spend their days at Hostos College, 5th- and 6th-year students continue to get support from HERO staff including counseling and tutoring.  

A beloved feature of HERO High School are Friday trips to the city’s museums, Montefiore Hospital, St. Mary’s Park, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and other destinations. Students travel with their advisory groups. 

Many students stay all six years but some graduate after four, opting to attend a four-year college. Even when they graduate, HERO welcomes its alumni back, for job hunting, tutoring, and other support. 

Beginning in 2021, the school began an expansion, with a goal to grow to a total of 1000 students, almost double its former size. A larger school means more enrichment; however, it may not be the small school experience some students want.

In addition to a growing list of sports, after-school activities include more than 20 clubs such as theater, visual arts, music, dance, anime, and herstory (feminist perspective of history). 

Housed in the Samuel Gompers Educational Campus, HERO shares the building with Mott Haven Community and New Visions Charter High School for the Humanities II.

 

 

 

 

School Stats

Academics

School
Citywide
How many students graduate in 4 years?
 
79%
How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
 
70%
How many English language learners graduate in 4 years?
 
70%
Average daily attendance
 
79%
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
 
58%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school offers enough activities and services for their children's needs?
 
100%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school works to achive the goals of their students' IEPs?
 
100%
From the 2020-21 School Quality Guide and 2020-21 NYC School Survey

Students

667
Number of students
624 Citywide Average

Race/Ethnicity


School
Citywide
Low-income students
 
89%
Students with disabilities
 
23%
Multilingual learners
 
13%
From the 2020-21 Demographic Snapshot

Safety & Vibe

School
Citywide
How many students were suspended?
 
2%
How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
 
98%
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
 
23%
How many students say that some are bullied at their school because of their gender or sexual orientation?
 
8%
From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey and 2019-20 NY State Report Card

Faculty & Staff

School
Citywide
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
 
94%
9.2
Years of principal experience at this school
7 Citywide Average
100
Number of students for each guidance counselor or social worker
157 Citywide Average

Teachers’ Race/Ethnicity


How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
 
83%
Are teachers effective?
From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey, 2020-21 School Quality Guide, 2019-20 NY State Report Card, 2021 Guidance Counselor Report and this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Advanced Courses

Which students have access to advanced courses at this school? Learn more

Calculus

Not offered in 2019-20

Computer Science

 
4%

Physics

 
27%

Advanced Foreign Language

Not offered in 2019-20

AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science

Not offered in 2019-20

AP/IB Math or Science

Not offered in 2019-20

Music

Not offered in 2019-20
From unpublished, anonymized data from the 2019-20 school year provided by the New York State Education Department, brought to you by

College Readiness

School
Citywide
How many students graduate with test scores high enough to enroll at CUNY without remedial help?
 
47%
How many students take a college-level course or earn a professional certificate?
 
60%
From the 2020-21 School Quality Guide
How many students filled out a FAFSA form by the end of their senior year?
 
37%
From the 2020-21 FAFSA data released by Federal Student Aid, brought you by
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

HERO High (Health, Education, and Research Occupations High School)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

Students may take up to six years to complete their high school program which includes earning an Associate degree (or up to two years of college credit) and participating in internships.

Offerings

From the 2021 High School Directory

Language Courses

Spanish

Boys PSAL teams

Baseball, Basketball, Outdoor Track

Girls PSAL teams

Basketball, Indoor Track, Softball

Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

455 Southern Boulevard
Bronx NY 10455

Trains: 2 Line, 5 Line to Jackson Ave; 6 Line to East 143rd St-St Mary's St

Buses: Bx17, Bx19, Bx33, Bx4, Bx4A


Contact

Principal: Kristin Cahill Garcia

Parent Coordinator: Natasha Matos

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? Yes

This school shares the Samuel Gompers Educational Campus with two other schools

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? Yes

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