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Our Insights
What’s Special
Multi-racial school where students present portfolios of their work
The Downside
Some behavior problems
A small school with a focus on writing, research and learning to speak to an audience, Origins High School serves a multi-racial student body, including many new immigrants. Students speak 24 languages at home and may study Russian, Mandarin or Italian at school.
Opened in 2013 in the former Sheepshead Bay High School (renamed the Frank Macchiarola Educational Complex), Origins High School has quickly established a climate of trust and respect among the faculty, according to school surveys. Teachers give the founding principal, John Banks, high marks and say they would recommend the school to prospective parents.
Banks, who taught middle school English at the Academy of Arts & Letters in Fort Greene, has replicated some of that popular school’s teaching techniques. For example, students present their academic work, called “portfolios,” twice a year at roundtables attended by teachers and community members.
The school had a high suspension rate in its first years, and teachers were working on establishing “restorative practices,” that is, a system of resolving disputes and reducing behavior problems with alternatives to suspension, according to the school’s Comprehensive Educational Plan.
The building has an outdoor field and track. Students take part in sports teams with other schools in the building, including a transfer high school, Professional Pathways High School, and two charter schools: New Visions Charter High School for the Humanities III and New Visions Charter High School for Advanced Math and Science III.
Admission: The school gives priority to students who live nearby, but in recent years it has had room for everyone who wants to apply. (Clara Hemphill, web reports, December 2018)
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School Stats
Is this school safe and well-run?
From 2018-19 NYC School Survey
From 2017-18 NY State Report Card
From this school's most recent Quality Review Report
From 2018-19 School Quality Guide
How do students perform academically?
From 2018-19 School Quality Guide
Who does this school serve?
From 2019-20 Demographic Snapshot
From 2018-19 School Quality Guide
How does this school serve special populations?
From 2018-19 School Quality Guide
Programs & Admissions
From the 2021 High School Directory
Program Description:
Our school uses a liberal arts curriculum emphasizing the arts that allows students to experience a wide variety of courses over their four years of high school. We offer multiple electives, including three languages, 20+ arts courses in both visual and performing arts, and additional extracurricular opportunities to allow students to explore their budding interests. Five AP courses and multiple College Now opportunities support our juniors and seniors in their college preparation process.
Academics
Language Courses
French, Mandarin, Russian
Advanced Placement (AP) courses
AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP Biology, AP United States History, AP English Language and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Statistics, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Calculus AB
Sports
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Football, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Volleyball, Wrestling
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Flag Football, Gymnastics, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Softball, Volleyball
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
Contact
Other Details
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