Our Insights
What’s Special
Culinary arts instruction; paid internships
The Downside
School is moving in right direction, but still has a ways to go
The Academy of Hospitality and Tourism (AOHT) gives students a taste of careers in the hotel and restaurant industries. Students may learn to cook in a professionally equipped kitchen, get paid internships with industry partners and participate in a range of sports and activities.
Dr. Shirley Miller became principal in in 2016. A former assistant principal at the high performing Science, Technology and Research Early College School at Erasmus (STAR), Miller is credited with bringing positive change to AOHT. The graduation rate has increased dramatically and the school brought back culinary arts instruction, which had been eliminated a few years prior.
AOHT, which shares the Erasmus Hall Campus with other small schools, has a partnership with the National Academy Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by former Citigroup chairman Sanford Weill to help develop a workforce for various industries and to offer career paths for youth. All freshmen take a full-year course that introduces them to both culinary arts and the business end of hospitality (customer service, marketing and entrepreneurship). Students then choose a path to focus on in the upper grades.
Students study French, which “pairs well” with culinary arts according to assistant principal, Luke Fitzgibbon.
Through a partnership with St. Joseph College, students may take free courses for credit at the college or at AOHT—the latter taught by Dr. Miller. Students may also take a range of campus-wide Advanced Placement courses.
The school still has a ways to go: Attendance is below average and enrollment has declined in recent years, though Fitzgibbon said the positive changes and new culinary arts program are attracting more interest from students. While nearly all students report their teachers treat them with respect, many also report concerns of safety in the building.
The school has adopted a “restorative justice” approach to discipline that aims to minimize suspensions and promote positive behavior through conversation, reflection and corrective action. Students meet weekly in small groups called “circles” to discuss issues and resolve challenges.
“It really helps student get in touch with their peers and not just their small circle of friends,” said Fitzgibbon.
To foster camaraderie, Miller instituted a house system, similar to one used at STAR, where students are assigned to multi-grade “houses” (named after Ivy League Colleges) and participate in friendly competitions and activities with fellow students in other houses. Students report that with the house system “they have met more classmates from other grades, there are more celebrations and students treat each other with more respect,” according the school’s most recent Quality Review.
Students who are having a bad day or struggling to express themselves also get support for an art therapist who runs lunchtime sessions and oversees group projects such as designing a mural.
AOHT serves many students still learning English. Rather than pull them out of class for support, certified English-as-a-new-language (ENL) instructors work with students in their regular classes. English language learners also take a language acquisition course that focuses on foundation skills and is taught by an ENL teacher with the help of translators.
In addition to participating in campus-wide PSAL sports, students enjoy a range of AOHT-run activities including clubs, archery and ping pong.
A college counselor guides students through the application process. Free SAT prep is offered onsite and is built into the school day. (Laura Zingmond, interview and web reports, August 2018)
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School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Advanced Courses
Calculus
Not offered in 2021-21Computer Science
Physics
Not offered in 2021-21Advanced Foreign Language
AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science
AP/IB Math or Science
Not offered in 2021-21Music
College Readiness
Visit Understanding FAFSA for help with the FAFSA and financial aid.
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryCulinary Arts, Business, Hospitality, and Tourism (L24A)
Program Description:
During 9th grade students will be exposed to one course in Culinary Arts and one in Business, Hospitality, and Tourism. Students will then select their program of interest and will follow that pathway which culminates in an Industry certified exam and a CTE endorsed diploma.
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
French, Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Seminar, AP World History: Modern, Chemistry (Advanced Science), ELA (College Course [Credited]), ELA (College Course [Uncredited]), Other (College Course [Credited]), Social Studies (College Course [Credited]), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Football, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Volleyball, Wrestling
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Cross Country, Flag Football, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
911 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn
NY
11226
Trains: , to Church Av
Buses: B103, B12, B16, B35, B41, B44, B44-SBS, B49, BM1, BM2, BM3, BM4
Contact
Other Details
This school shares the Erasmus Hall Educational Campus with four other schools
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