High School for Violin and Dance

High School for Violin and Dance is a tiny school that offers every student classes in string orchestra and dance. No prior experience is necessary. Students may choose to study violin, bass, cello or viola. In dance they sample modern, jazz, tap, hip hop and ballet. 

The school shares the Morris Educational Campus with other small schools in the Morrisania section of the Bronx, once a hub of Doo Wop and R&B music. 

Students meet for lessons for three to five days per week. They dance in the Puerto Rican Day Parade and showcase their work at two big concerts a year. There is also a graphic/visual arts program. 

Franklin Sim became principal in March 2011 after serving as assistant principal for many years. Before that, he taught math at Chelsea Vocational High School. He said research shows music and movement are good for the brain. "A large part of our budget is for instrumental repairs and concerts, because we believe in the arts," he said.

Students at the school face many challenges. Some live in homeless shelters, many are still learning to speak English, and about a quarter has special needs. Many are the first in their families to earn a high school diploma. The school is in one of the poorest congressional districts in the United States, home to 20 low-income housing developments. 

Getting children to school is struggle; more than two-thirds miss a month or more of school. There are two assistant principals and two guidance counselors who help follow up with phone calls and home visits.

Girls far outnumber boys. A boys' program meets once a week and the 60 or so boys take trips together, such as bowling or to a Broadway show. There is also a leadership and support group for girls. 

Four small schools share the building and all children pass through metal detectors. Violin and Dance shares a gymnasium with School for Excellence. The other two schools are Bronx International and Morris Academy for Collaborative Studies. 

Admissions: The school has had room for everyone who applied in recent years. (Lydie Raschka, web reports, October 2018)