Our Insights
What’s Special
Modeled on Brooklyn Latin
The Downside
Friction between staff and principal
Westchester Square Academy, opened in fall 2012 in the Herbert H. Lehman campus, is designed to bring the philosophy and teaching methods of one of the city's most selective schools, Brooklyn Latin, to a wider group of students. Unfortunately, there has been a rapid deterioration in the tone of the school since the founding principal left in 2016, according to school surveys.
There is friction between teachers and Principal Yira Salcedo, who arrived in 2016, according to surveys. Several parents have told us many of the school's teachers left in Salcedo’s first two years.
On the positive side, Westchester Square Academy has maintained its original teaching methods, such as student-led discussions, called Socratic Seminars. Students learn to defend their ideas logically, to draw key ideas from their reading and to state and write their ideas clearly. Students take quarterly assessments and teachers offer lots of feedback.
Most 9th grade classes have two adults in the classroom with the addition of either a special education teacher or a humanities teacher.
Westchester has a screened honors program for students with good attendance and grades who seek more demanding coursework, including calculus, chemistry and physics. Students in the unscreened program who want to push themselves may also take pre-AP and AP classes. This "open honors" approach allows them to take just one or two AP classes if they show a willingness and demonstrate motivation.
Students make use of Lehman’s campus-wide clubs and sports. WSA has several clubs with topics such as social justice, drama, dance and debate. It shares a cafeteria with Renaissance, another small high school in the building.
A college advisor works with classroom teachers on skills such as vocabulary development, test taking and essay writing.
The school was founded by Sara Dingledy, assistant headmaster of Brooklyn Latin, who left to be principal of Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in fall 2016. (Lydie Raschka, web reports, October 2018)
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School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Advanced Courses
Calculus
Computer Science
Physics
Not offered in 2021-21Advanced Foreign Language
Not offered in 2021-21AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science
AP/IB Math or Science
Music
Not offered in 2021-21College Readiness
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Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryWestchester Square Academy (Y58A)
Program Description:
College-preparatory curriculum with a liberal arts focus.
Westchester Square Academy Honors Program (Y58B)
Requirements:
- Average Course Grades - 75%
- Interview - 25%
Program Description:
Program offers accelerated coursework, including AP courses, starting in Sophomore year. Students will have the opportunity to take advanced-level coursework, including Calculus, Chemistry, and Physics. For more information about how to complete this program's application requirements, please visit https://www.westchestersquare.org/become_a_student
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP United States Government and Politics, Arts (College Course [Credited]), Physics (Advanced Science), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Football, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Rugby, Soccer, Wrestling
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Flag Football, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball
Coed PSAL teams
Cricket, Stunt
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
3000 East Tremont Avenue
Bronx
NY
10461
Trains: to Westchester Square-East Tremont Av
Buses: Bx21, Bx24, Bx31, Bx4, Bx40, Bx42, Bx4A, Bx8
Contact
Other Details
This school shares the Herbert H. Lehman Educational Campus with five other schools
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