Our Insights
What’s Special
Brooklyn Botanic Garden partnership
The Downside
Limited course selection
Founded in 2003, the Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment (BASE) offers a unique partnership with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, where students explore urban ecology and native plants, ideal for teens who like science, nature, and making a positive impact.
Ninth-graders visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden weekly with their science teacher, engaging in activities such as biodiversity surveys and endangered species research. They address climate change and solutions like the role of tree roots in soil erosion and carbon dioxide absorption. Lessons at BASE integrate science and environmental issues through a social justice perspective, with the school actively participating in community initiatives, such as advocacy against a proposed high-rise near the Brooklyn Botanic Garden that threatens sun-dependent plants.
Students research and write extensively, with freshmen working together on assigned topics like social justice, and seniors researching their own topics, such as reproductive rights or carbon capture technology, culminating in a 10-page paper. BASE uses competency-based grading, providing feedback on skill progression rather than traditional grades.
Practical experience is gained through internships at venues like the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Prospect Park’s Youth Representative Program, or the Air Company, which converts carbon dioxide into sustainable products. BASE students assist in science labs, mentor new students, provide feedback on lessons, and receive job application and interview assistance. They complete 100 hours of community service, contributing to events like the biannual Harvest Lunch, managing cellphone collections, or participating in civic leadership classes.
While BASE offers limited courses and clubs due to its size, it provides opportunities in studio art and an after-school cooking club using garden harvests for dishes like veggie tacos, gazpacho and empanadas. Students can take Advanced Placement courses at BASE, and College Now classes at Medgar Evers.
BASE uses restorative justice for discipline, holding bimonthly meetings to address challenges and promote positive behavior. Margaret’s Place is a dedicated safe room in school where students can talk or hang out in a comfortable, confidential, and respectful environment, with staff offer counseling and leadership opportunities during lunch and free periods.
Students receive college application assistance from guidance counselors, a faculty advisor, and programs like Upward Bound and New Visions.
BASE is located on the 5th floor of the Prospect Heights Educational Complex, sharing space with four other schools. The building features an indoor pool and campus-wide sports teams. Students must pass through metal detectors. (Lydie Raschka, web reports and interview, June 2024)
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School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Advanced Courses
Calculus
Computer Science
Not offered in 2021-21Physics
Not offered in 2021-21Advanced Foreign Language
AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science
AP/IB Math or Science
Music
Not offered in 2021-21College Readiness
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryScience Exploration Program (K41A)
Program Description:
Integrated curriculum includes lab-based learning and hands-on experiences. Our program exposes students to a wide-range of science pathways including computer science, environmental justice, urban ecology, and anatomy and physiology. Includes real-world experiences such as job shadowing, mentoring, internships and paid job opportunities through our many partnerships. Selection criteria: Attendance (100-85%), Science grades (100-70), State ELA and Math exam scores (4-2).
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Art History, AP Calculus AB, AP English Language and Composition, AP Seminar, AP United States History, Science (College Course [Credited]), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
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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