Our Insights
What’s Special
Nurturing environment for students learning to speak English
The Downside
Metal detectors; massive building shared with other schools
The High School of Language and Innovation has a warm and nurturing community for recent immigrants who are still learning English. About half the students speak Spanish; others speak Bengali, Arabic, Albanian, French and Chinese. Some students already speak English fluently but are attracted to the school's welcoming environment.
Language and Innovation shares space with several small high schools inside the large Christopher Columbus High School building. They share use of the cafeteria, library, gym, auditorium and culinary arts room and participate on building-wide sports teams and orchestras. All must pass through metal detectors to enter the building.
Some students enter with poor academic skills, reading below a 3rd grade level in their native language. Some have had their educations interrupted in their home countries. Despite these challenges, about three-quarters graduate on time.
The school has a partnership with Bronx Arts Ensemble which offers arts courses such as hip hop, fashion design, guitar, keyboard, chorus, African dance, sculpture, and visual arts. Students may also take physical education classes with Korea Tae Kwon Do. After-school programs offer homework help, test prep and arts enrichment programs.
“Parents readily share their satisfaction with the school’s administration and faculty,” according to the school’s Quality Review. “Students are welcomed warmly, reminding them of the communal inclusivity of their school.”
Principal Julie Nariman, a graduate of Bank Street College and formerly the assistant principal of English as a Second Language (ESL) at Long Island City High School, founded the school in 2011. A former English teacher, she also taught ESL in South Korea. (Clara Hemphill, DOE statistics, August 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
AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science
AP/IB Math or Science
Music
College Readiness
Visit Understanding FAFSA for help with the FAFSA and financial aid.
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryHigh School of Language and Innovation (Y52A)
Program Description:
This is a school for students who are new to the United States and learning English for the first time.
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Arabic, Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP United States Government and Politics, Calculus (Advanced Math), Chemistry (Advanced Science), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Football, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Bowling, Gymnastics, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
925 Astor Avenue
Bronx
NY
10469
Trains: to Allerton Av; to Pelham Parkway
Buses: Bx12, Bx12-SBS, Bx25, Bx26, Bx30, Bx39, Bx8, BxM11
Contact
Other Details
This school shares the Christopher Columbus Educational Campus with four other schools
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