Mott Hall V

Mott Hall V has a calm and structured environment, modern and colorful facilities, and a well-funded college office. Teachers take their students’ social and emotional concerns as seriously as their academic progress, and students say they like the personal attention they receive from staff.

Even though most students enter with weak academic skills, the vast majority graduate from high school on time. Even more impressive, the percentage who earn Advanced Regents diplomas (and are considered well-prepared for college) is well above the citywide average. 

The school, housed in a new annex of the Monroe Educational Campus, is one of a number of schools modeled after the successful Mott Hall middle school in Harlem. Unlike the original Mott Hall, however, Mott Hall V admits students with a range of abilities, and most from four nearby elementary schools.

The founding principal, Peter Oroszlany, whom students call Mr. O, says his students face difficult family situations, but he and his staff are committed to helping them make good choices and build self-confidence.“The socio-emotional concerns students are facing are brutal and higher than ever,” he says.  “I’m here for the journey.”

To help new students start off on the right track, rising 6th and 9th graders attend summer orientation programs. Middle school students meet in a small group advisory once a week.

Rather than traditional punishments, the school uses “Restorative Justice Circles. If two middle school students have a dispute, for example, specially trained high school students meet with them to help them resolve the issue, make amends while learning to express themselves and manage their emotions. This helps develop leadership, and “students have a hard time envisioning themselves as leaders,” says Mr. O.

This once traditional school has incorporated more ways for independent and group learning. Many classes have two teachers. Middle school students work in groups and read aloud to help boost their literacy skills.

High achievers may take Regents Algebra and Living Environment in the 8th grade.

On the day of our visit, we were escorted by a senior who said she valued the level of personal, individualized care she received from staff. In a science class, students sat in a circle and showed one another their projects on simple machines. In a social studies class, jazz played softly as students discussed the refugee crisis and the risks involved in moving to another country.

Teachers spend a lot of time focusing on basic skills. To help children who are still learning English, the school has hired three teachers of English as a New Language. Some students stay afterschool for extra help.

Students may participate Mott Hall-sponsored clubs including yearbook, yoga and student government. Middle school students have their own sports teams and after school electives. Art is offered in all grades. French and Spanish language arts are offered, as well.

The school works with the College Bound Initiative (CBI), sponsored by the Young Women’s Leadership Network. The full-time counselor plans college trips; Middle school students get to visit Wagner College on Staten Island to feel the atmosphere of campus Life. They receive college advisory and individual support for students and parents, such as completion of college and financial aid applications.

The school has partnerships with CUNY colleges, such Lehman. The college bound focus has been changed slightly to accommodate families fearful of sending kids out of the borough or city. “We found a way to modify the college goal without changing the goal,” says the Principal. 

Mott Hall V shares the Monroe annex with the Cinema School and a District 75 program for students with severe disabilities. The modern facility has its own gymnasium, auditorium and cafeteria. There are no metal detectors. The school has more students than is was designed to accomodate.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: There are self-contained and ICT (Integrated Collaborative Teaching) classes. The self-contained class we saw was quiet, yet studious as students worked on the math problems.

ADMISSIONS: For middle school, priority to District 12 students. For high school, prior to continuing 8th graders and then to Bronx residents or students who attend an information session. However, there are usually only a few high school seats. (Jacqueline Wayans, November 2017)