High School for Civil Rights

At the High School for Civil Rights, students may take classes on Constitutional law and participate in a real Youth Court in the school's own courtroom. There is an extended day and extra tutoring for the many students who arrive in 9th grade performing below grade level. Most students feel safe in school. Unfortunately, attendance is poor.

Located on the Thomas Jefferson Educational campus, the school seeks to give students a full immersion experience in civil rights and law through lessons, videos, field trips and courtroom experience. It partners with The East New York Youth Court and Red Hook Justice Center. These programs train students to serve as jurors, judges and advocates, handling real-life cases involving their peers in the school courtroom, according to the CEP (comprehensive educational plan). 

High School for Civil Rights also offers arts classes, including choir, studio arts and filmmaking. The building has a new recording studio for those interested in music. 

The school has an extended day, or P.M. school, which runs from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. 

There are also double periods in some core subjects to help struggling students, in addition to lunchtime tutoring and Saturday school. A summer bridge program and a 9th grade coordinator works to capture students' interest when they first arrive. High-achieving students may choose from several AP classes, including calculus, U.S. history and English.

Principal Michael Steele, who has led the school since 2005, believes in a combination of traditional discipline and emotional support. Staff gives special attention to students who struggle the most, keeping in close touch through mentoring. The school offers incentives and rewards for good attendance, such as time in the recording studio. 

There is a college advisor who leads a college prep class every week. A teacher is assigned to help with SAT prep. Students mostly attend CUNY and SUNY schools and colleges such as Ithaca College and University of Connecticut.

The campus hums after school ends. There are numerous sports teams shared with other schools in Jefferson, academic tutoring and clubs such as cheerleading and robotics. Swimming is offered through a partnership with the YMCA.

Admissions: Open admissions. (Lydie Raschka, DOE data and web reports, November 2018)