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Brooklyn Preparatory High School
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Brooklyn NY
Our Insights
What’s Special
Multimedia art and music
The Downside
Attendance could be stronger
Brooklyn Prep offers a good selection of art classes, starting with a choice of multimedia arts or music appreciation in 9th grade, and moving into an array of electives, such as comics illustration, photography, Latin dance, chorus, photography, keyboards and band.
Enrollment has risen steadily under the leadership of principal Noah Lansner, who joined the school in 2010. He has added electives, tightened up discipline and improved the graduation rate, according to school data and surveys. Most teachers would recommend the school to other families.
The school prides itself on close relationships, nurtured primarily in small advisories three times a week. These are intentionally mixed-age groups in order to build strong relationships across the school. Twelfth-graders mentor 9th-graders who need extra support, and peer tutoring takes place twice a week after school.
Students study in different ways, not only by reading textbooks, according to the school's Quality Review. In a history class, for example, teens rotated through “stations” to watch a video clip, review a document and analyze a photo.
Reading, writing and discussion are focuses in every subject area. For instance, 9th-graders read the nonfiction book The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks before launching into a related unit on genetic disorders and diseases. For a writing assignment, students were asked to describe the character of their neighborhood, with one teen writing an essay titled "Unwritten Rules for a Puerto Rican."
Teens present and defend their best work through a portfolio process at the end of the semester, presented to a group of peers and visitors. The portfolio is a collection of written reflections, projects, papers and tests.
All seniors take a class in which they write a 7- to 10-page research paper on a topic of their choice in preparation for college writing. Past topics have included ISIS, the school-to-prison pipeline, LGBT discrimination, racial inequality and homelessness.
One downside is that some students miss many days of school. Calls go home if they are late, according to the yearly plan. Guidance counselors work to build relationships with parents of struggling teens by selecting two parents each week for special attention. Another downside is that the building has metal detectors.
The school shares the Harry Van Arsdale building with Williamsburg Preparatory High School and the Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design. Sports are campus-wide.
There is a full-time college adviser. Students take at least two college trips each year. The majority of the graduates attend CUNY and SUNY schools.
ADMISSIONS: Not based on grades. Priority to Brooklyn students or residents. (Lydie Raschka, web reports and interview, May 2018)
Read moreSchool Stats
Is this school safe and well-run?
From 2018-19 NYC School Survey
From 2017-18 NY State Report Card
From this school's most recent Quality Review Report
From 2018-19 School Quality Guide
How do students perform academically?
From 2018-19 School Quality Guide
Who does this school serve?
From 2019-20 Demographic Snapshot
From 2018-19 School Quality Guide
How does this school serve special populations?
From 2018-19 School Quality Guide
Programs & Admissions
From the 2021 High School Directory
Program Description:
We develop the Habits of Mind (Perspective, Analysis, Connections and Expression), Work (Resourcefulness, Organization, Perseverance, Eagerness and Self-Awareness), and Heart (Flexibility, Insight, Role and Empathy) that students need to succeed in a challenging college program and fulfilling career.
Academics
Language Courses
Arabic, Spanish
Advanced Placement (AP) courses
AP Chemistry, AP Calculus AB, AP Environmental Science, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP European History, AP United States History, AP English Language and Composition, AP 2-D Art and Design
Sports
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Volleyball
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Flag Football, Softball, Volleyball
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
Contact
Other Details
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