Our Insights
What’s Special
Project-based school for new immigrants learning English
The Downside
Declining enrollment; limited clubs
International High School at Prospect Heights is a small, supportive school for new immigrants. All students participate in internships, field trips and projects-based learning. The school serves students new to the United States (0-4 years) who are learning English while pursuing a high school education.
Founded in 2004, it opened with Internationals Network for Public Schools, which includes 31 schools nationwide that focus on educating new immigrants. Students come from many countries including the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Yemen, Honduras, Haiti, El Salvador, Uzbekistan and Venezuela.
Academics & Instruction: Like the other schools in the Internationals Network, classes are taught mostly in English. Teachers help students in their native languages, including Spanish, Arabic, Haitian Creole, French and Uzbek but expect tests and projects to be done in English. Classes combine students of different academic levels, so those who are stronger in English can help new arrivals.
While many high schools need students to pass five NY State Regents exams, IHSPH only asks for two: English language arts and math. In the other subjects, students show their work through essays, research papers, art projects or science experiments to a group of teachers and visitors.
The school has seen more teenagers without parents coming to the school. Families struggle with immigration and trauma, according to the school’s Comprehensive Education Plan. Many students are behind in school, and less than 20 percent graduated ready for college. However, there's extra help like tutoring, after-school homework help and Saturday programs for reading and math.
The school works with CUNY (City University of NY) and St. Joseph’s University in Brooklyn to give students a taste of college and a chance to earn up to 15 credits for free before finishing high school.
Culture & Environment: Teachers work together to support students in various subjects, meeting weekly to help with both academics and emotions. The school uses the Restorative Practice model to teach students conflict resolution, and most students feel safe, as per the NYC School Survey.
Teens take many field trips to get to know the city and practice English. All seniors do internships. These take place at the Human Resources Administration of NY, Maimonides Hospital, the Wythe Hotel, Sean Casey Animal Rescue, the JFK Traveler’s Aid and other locations.
Building & Facilities: The school occupies its own quiet corner of Prospect Heights Educational Complex, overlooking the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Brooklyn Museum.
Students go through metal detectors to enter the building. They may join sports teams with other schools on campus. The school offers a variety of lunch and after-school clubs like chess, snowboarding, rock climbing, swimming in the school’s pool, computer programming and more. The number of students has shrunk in recent years, which limits choices.
College & Career: Juniors and seniors take a college and career support class. Seniors receive one-on-one college and career guidance. (Lydie Raschka, Web reports, November 2023)
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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
Not offered in 2021-21AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science
Not offered in 2021-21AP/IB Math or Science
Not offered in 2021-21Music
Not offered in 2021-21College Readiness
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryInternational High School at Prospect Heights (K98X)
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryAdvanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), Other (College Course [Credited])
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Swimming
Girls PSAL teams
Badminton, Basketball, Cross Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball
Coed PSAL teams
Cricket, Double Dutch
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
883 Classon Avenue
Brooklyn
NY
11225
Trains: , , , , FS to Botanic Gardens
Buses: B41, B43, B44-SBS, B45, B48, B49
Contact
Other Details
This school shares the Prospect Heights Educational Campus with three other schools
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