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What’s Special
Top-notch academics in a spacious facility with waterside views
The Downside
Far from the subway
Situated on the spacious but remote campus of Kingsborough Community College, Leon Goldstein High School for the Sciences boasts waterside views, a relaxed atmosphere and top-notch academics. The contemporary building has computer and science labs, a ceramics studio with a working kiln, a library and media room, and a cafeteria with a wall of windows. It is connected to Kingsborough's full-size gymnasium and a beautiful swimming pool.
Goldstein attracts some of Brooklyn's best and brightest students, who want a school that's smaller than popular giants like Brooklyn Tech. It's the kind of place where a student carries around a novel that she is reading for fun, not for English class. Teens are treated respectfully, much like the college students they are soon to become.
Academic rigor has stepped up since Principal Scott Hughes came in 2012. A former computer science teacher at Mark Twain middle school, Hughes increased the number of AP courses and mandated a longer school day for all four years. "We maximize the fourth year to get them ready for college and career," he said. The number of graduates prepared for college far exceeds the city's average. College Now courses are offered through Kingsborough Community College, allowing students to earn college credits.
The school earned high marks on its Quality Review for having an "inclusive and respectful environment." Actions that would be problematic in other schools, such as wearing a hat or hoodie, or eating a sandwich in a classroom, are not at Goldstein. Because of the demanding class schedule—each student has four 54-minute academic periods, called "bands," each day—on days they don't get an official lunch period, students may bring in food to eat at their desks.
Students are required to take four years of math and science and three years of a world language: Spanish, Italian, Mandarin or Arabic. There are many math and science offerings, including multiple sections of calculus, organic chemistry and AP chemistry. Many kids participate in city and school Science Olympiads.
Every freshman and sophomore takes computer science to learn digital logic, computer architecture, programming and other sophisticated skills. "We're trying to teach them the Latin of computer science as opposed to learning a particular program," said Hughes.
Despite an emphasis on math, science and computer studies, the English department is arguably the strongest at Goldstein. "If you can't read and write, you can't do science and math," Hughes said. In one class, students reading Animal Farm were making parallels with the Soviet Union. Small groups had created information stations, with students traveling from one to another, taking notes and learning from everyone's research.
Literature and social studies lessons are frequently intertwined. In a global history class, students studied the Chinese Cultural Revolution by examining Mao Zedong's quotations, and photographs from the time.
Arts flourish too. There is a jazz band, a chorus and piano classes. Other electives include drama, ceramics and painting. Seniors work with incoming freshman to prepare for the annual SING! competition.
Girls have a strong voice in the school, making up roughly 55 percent of the population. They field winning PSAL sports teams, especially in volleyball, tennis and swimming. Overall, there's a nice mix of boys, girls and co-ed sports teams as well student-run clubs.
Goldstein is a long walk from the closest subway line and many students are driven to school by their parents.
SPECIAL EDUCATION: The school is more flexible with its academic screen when considering students with special needs. There are ICT (integrated co-teaching) classes in most grades, but by the later years, there is a move to integrate all students. The building is shared with a District 75 program for autistic students, some of whom are included in Goldstein classes.
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS: The majority of graduates go to SUNYs and CUNYs, with a high number enrolling in the prestigious Macauley Honors program, as well as selective private colleges, including Ivy League schools. (Pamela Wheaton, April 2015; updated via web reports, July 2018)
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Academics
Students
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Advanced Courses
Calculus
Computer Science
Physics
Advanced Foreign Language
AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science
AP/IB Math or Science
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Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLeon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences (K76A)
Program Description:
An enriching and challenging curriculum in math, sciences, and humanities that exceeds city and state requirements.
Leon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences D75 Inclusion Program (K76U)
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Mandarin, Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Chinese Language and Culture, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Macroeconomics, AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Statistics, AP United States Government and Politics, AP United States History, AP World History: Modern, Biology (College Course [Credited]), Chemistry (Advanced Science), ELA (College Course [Credited]), Math (College Course [Credited]), Other (College Course [Credited]), Physics (Advanced Placement), Physics (Advanced Science), Science (College Course [Credited]), Social Studies (College Course [Credited]), US History (College Course [Credited]), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Basketball, Bowling, Handball, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Wrestling
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Bowling, Flag Football, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball
Coed PSAL teams
Golf
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
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