High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology

Xhenete Shepard a former teacher and assistant principal at HSTAT has been the school’s principal since January 2014.

While the school delivers on its name with courses in arts, photography and computer programming, it is the human touch that students and staff say makes the school special. "I was surprised by how accepting everyone is," said a student who transferred into HSTAT at the start of 11th grade. "I made friends quickly here." In addition to each grade having a dedicated guidance counselor for all four years, each student has an academic advisor—a teacher who keeps tabs on students' scheduling and progress.

Peer support is emphasized too. Older students help out as tutors and take on the role of mentor to younger students. Seniors show freshmen around the building on the first day of school and visit their classes monthly to talk about the college process and how to be successful in high school. The two grades also take a field trip together in October on the day that sophomores and juniors take the PSAT at school.

The staff is committed to helping all students reach their potential—whether they receive special education services, take regular or honors classes, or a mix of all three. For instance, a student who performs poorly in his math class often moves on to the next level, while also receiving extra support, rather than repeating coursework. As one math teacher explained, "remediation doesn't work if it's simply doing the same thing again, but this time louder and slower." The school offers two types of algebra 2 classes, one geared for struggling students who need extra support and one for those stronger in math. To help kids stay on track, tutoring is offered in all subjects after school and on weekends. Every day for an hour after school, teachers are available in the library for homework help. 

Classroom instruction in all subjects is a mix of class-wide discussions, group work and independent work. Teachers also collaborate to develop the curriculum in each subject. In their classrooms, they customize lessons to address their students' strengths and weaknesses rather than rely heavily on scripted lessons and worksheets. Most 9th-grade classes are kept to roughly 28 students. In the upper grades class sizes increase to 30 to 35 students.

Writing is emphasized in all subjects. The school uses the Hochman Method, which offers a lot of structure and explicit instruction in the fundamentals of writing. Teachers in all subjects have been trained in the method, which allows them to use the same language and practices whether it’s a math teacher discussing how students should explain their approach to solving a problem or a history teacher critiquing essays. All 9th-graders take a “health writing” course where they read and learn about health topics while getting intensive instruction in writing. As part of their 10th-grade history requirement, students take a research class that lays the foundation for a big social science research project that all 12th-graders complete before graduation.

Students who are ready for a challenge have plenty of options. In addition to honors classes in select courses, the school offers a variety of Advanced Placement courses and College Now courses taught on-site through a partnership with Kingsborough Community College.

Once admitted, students may apply to participate in a four-year software engineering program where they learn programming languages, computer application development, robotics and graphic design.

There are plenty of elective classes, clubs and sports. Some 250 students take part in the chorus. Fashion design, theater and dance are offered either as electives or as after-school programs.

A summer bridge program serving roughly 120 incoming 9th-graders focuses on community-building and boosting academic skills before the official start of high school. The program culminates with a visit to a college.

The college office is staffed with two fulltime counselors. Students visit college campuses in and outside of the city during all four years. Many graduates attend CUNY and SUNY colleges, and each year some attend private colleges including Ivy League and other highly competitive schools.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: More than 250 students receive services including physical and occupational therapy, speech, counseling, integrated co-teaching (ICT) and self-contained classes. The school has an ASD Nest program that gives extra support to a small group of students with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD Nest students have a dedicated period each day for support services, but otherwise are fully integrated into HSTAT classes. There is a fifth guidance counselor who supports ASD Nest students as well as those learning English.  (Laura Zingmond, interview and web reports,  September 2018)