Astor Collegiate Academy

At Astor Collegiate, students take four years each of math and science and two years technology courses. Through a longtime partnership with the University of Vermont, students get lots of support with college admissions. 

Sandra Burgos has been the school’s principal since 2010. A graduate of Christopher Columbus High School where Astor Collegiate is located, Burgos has worked her entire teaching career in the building, first as a Spanish teacher and then as assistant principals at Columbus High School and Astor Collegiate. “I never left the place except to go to college,” Burgos said during one of our visits.

Typical of many small schools, course offerings are limited. In addition to taking classes at Lehman College, Bronx Community College and Hostos Community College, students may choose from several Advanced Placement (AP) classes and science electives such as forensics, environmental science, biochemistry, microbiology and zoology. They also take visual arts and learn Spanish. 

Astor Collegiate is housed in the Christopher Columbus Educational Campus building, which it shares with several small high schools. All schools in the building share use of the cafeteria, library, gymnasiums, auditorium and culinary arts room. Students may participate in campus-wide orchestras and PSAL sports teams.

Most teachers would recommend this school based on their responses to the NYC School survey; student suspensions fall below the citywide average. However, student attendance needs to improve and many students say bullying occurs at the school.

The University of Vermont partners with several schools in the building including Astor Collegiate. In addition to admitting and offering scholarships to a few graduates, Vermont sponsors student trips to its campus and support for seniors preparing for college interviews and completing applications. 

SPECIAL EDUCATION: The school has self-contained and ICT (Integrated Collaborative Teaching) classes.

ADMISSIONS: Priority to Bronx students. The school admits students according to the educational option formula, which aims to enroll a mix of low-, average- and high-achieving students. (Laura Zingmond, web reports, December 2018)