Our Insights
What’s Special
Unique instructional approach with a strong emphasis on research and writing
The Downside
Attendance and graduation rates have a ways to go
Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School is a well-run school that follows a progressive model. It is part of the New York Performance Standards Consortium, a group of schools exempt from administering all but the English Regents exam. Eleventh- and 12th-graders must complete PBATs (performance based assessment tasks), which involve extensive research and reading as well as writing and presenting papers in English, math, history and science.
Teachers work hard to engage students in interesting projects—such as testing the quality of the water in the Bronx River. Students and staff agree the school is safe; teachers work together as a team and uniformly recommend the school to prospective parents, according to school surveys.
The National Education Policy Center at the University of Colorado gave Fannie Lou Hamer a gold “School of Opportunity” award in 2015 for its work with low-income students.
Most students come in with weak academic skills, and many have special needs. Although attendance and graduation rates are below the citywide average, the school does a better job than schools with similar populations, according to the city’s School Performance Dashboard. Students get good advice applying for college and financial aid, according to the city’s Quality Review.
The school hosts peace fairs to target neighborhood violence and offers Saturday parent academies to encourage family engagement. A partnership with the Children's Aid Society Bronx Family Center provides students with access to medical and dental services.
The school is in a brick building across the service road of the Sheridan Expressway. All the windows are protected by wire. The building is colorfully bright and clean and features a well-equipped library and technology lab. It is wheelchair accessible and has no metal detectors or cameras. The lunchroom is cheerful, with round burgundy tables and student murals on the walls.
SPECIAL EDUCATION: The school offers both small "self-contained" classes and integrated co-teaching (ICT) classes. These classes mix students with special needs and general education students in one room, and are headed by two teachers, one a specialist in special education. (Jacquie Wayans, updated with web reports, December 2018; updated August 2020)
Get more from InsideSchools
School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Teachers’ Race/Ethnicity
Advanced Courses
Calculus
Not offered in 2019-20Computer Science
Not offered in 2019-20Physics
Advanced Foreign Language
Not offered in 2019-20AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science
Not offered in 2019-20AP/IB Math or Science
Not offered in 2019-20Music
Not offered in 2019-20College Readiness
Programs & Admissions
From the 2021 High School DirectoryFannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School
Offerings
From the 2021 High School DirectoryContact & Location
Location
1021 Jennings Street
Bronx
NY
10460
Trains:
,
to Freeman St;
to Whitlock Ave
Buses: Bx11, Bx19, Bx21, Bx27, Bx35, Bx36, Bx4, Bx4A
Contact
Other Details
This school is in its own building.
Get more from InsideSchools
You may also like …
Explorations Academy H.S.
Bronx, NY 10460
Bronx Envision Academy
Bronx, NY 10460
Comments