Our Insights
What’s Special
Strong programs in the arts; students take four years of Latin or Mandarin
The Downside
Some students balk at the strict dress code
Maspeth High School is a highly structured school with a classical curriculum that includes four years of instruction in Latin or Mandarin and fine arts. Students are held to high standards in their behavior, dress and academic performance.
Maspeth’s curriculum seeks to balance math, science, humanities and the arts. Public speaking and writing are emphasized in all classes, and teachers assess students' strengths in a variety of ways, including by assigning lengthy projects. For instance, in 9th grade, students create films and board games in response to their readings in English; by 12th grade they are completeing research papers.
Most parents are supportive of the focus on classical literature as they feel it helps their children with college readiness, according to the school’s most recent Comprehensive Education Plan (CEP). Parents have also noted that the Socratic seminars and debates that Maspeth students participate in have helped their children develop strong communication skills.
All students can choose from one of four art tracks: visual arts, dance, theater or music. Students who earn 10 credits of art classes may graduate with an arts-endorsed diploma. Maspeth has partnerships with the Juilliard School, Broadway Open Doors, the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation and Syracuse University to provide students interested in the performing arts with higher levels of instruction.
Students may earn college credit by taking classes for free at St. John’s University or a CUNY college.
Maspeth offers a wide range of extracurricular activities for students, including many clubs and PSAL sports teams. The vast majority of students feel that there is a wide enough range of extracurricular programs to keep them interested in school, based on their responses to the NYC School Survey. Students get opportunities to participate in trips to City Hall and regional leadership conferences as well as to destinations as far as Eastern Europe in a trip sponsored by the music department.
The “Happening at Maspeth” newsletter keeps parents informed about school events and major student accomplishments. Most parents report feeling well-informed and trusting of administrative decisions, based on their responses to the NYC School Survey.
While students do not wear uniforms, the schools dress code is strictly enforced and has received pushback from some students who have reviewed the school online; they claim that the dress code is too harsh.
Graduates attend a range of schools, including CUNY and SUNY colleges as well as private institutions such as Columbia, Yale, Fordham and NYU.
SPECIAL EDUCATION: Maspeth offers ICT (integrated collaborative teaching) classes for students with special needs. Maspeth High School has been named a "Respect for All" winner for its culture of inclusion for all students, according to its CEP. The school shares the building with a small program for students with autism that is run by District 75, the citywide district for students with disabilities.
(Isabel Corpus, web reports, May 2018)
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School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Advanced Courses
Calculus
Computer Science
Not offered in 2021-21Physics
Advanced Foreign Language
AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science
AP/IB Math or Science
Music
College Readiness
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Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryMaspeth High School (Q47A)
Program Description:
Students will have taken four years of Classical Language, Latin or Mandarin, and be fully prepared for college, career, and productive citizenship. Students are strongly encouraged to take on AP and College Level Courses in order to challenge themselves throughout their four years of high school.
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Latin
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), Algebra II (College Course [Credited]), AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Music Theory, AP Physics 1, AP Psychology, AP Studio Art - 2D, AP United States Government and Politics, AP United States History, AP World History: Modern, Calculus (College Course [Credited]), Chemistry (Advanced Science), Math (College Course [Credited]), Physics (Advanced Science), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Rugby, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling
Girls PSAL teams
Badminton, Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Flag Football, Handball, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
54-40 74Th Street
Queens
NY
11373
Buses: Q18, Q38, Q47, Q58, Q59, Q67, QM24, QM25, QM34
Contact
Other Details
This school is in its own building.
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