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East-West School of International Studies

Grades: 6-12
Staff Pick Staff Pick for Special Ed

Our Insights

What’s Special

Chinese, Japanese and Korean languages taught; lots of after-school clubs and tutoring

The Downside

Limited sports

The East-West School of International Studies, in Flushing, Queens, is a combined middle and high school that offers up to four years of Chinese, Japanese and Korean, as well as Asian-inspired arts and sports such as anime, Korean drumming, Chinese calligraphy and judo.

Students are introduced to Chinese, Japanese and Korean in middle school and then commit to studying one beginning in 9th grade. The goal is for students to graduate ready to tackle advanced language courses in college.

A limited number of students go on trips to China and Japan, which include a homestay with local families to maximize exposure to the language and culture. Students fundraise throughout the year to cover the cost.

Overall, the school is very high performing. Middle school test scores are well above average; the high school’s college-readiness rate (percentage of graduates who don’t need to take remedial courses at CUNY) far exceeds the citywide average, as does the percentage of students taking college-level coursework.

Middle school students are scheduled for seven periods of English and eight periods of math instruction each week. The extra classes give them more time to delve into the curriculum. All 8th-graders take high school–level courses in algebra and living environment.

The high school offers electives and college-level classes, such as several Advanced Placement courses, architecture, robotics and Asian literature. Students may also take free college courses via CUNY’s College Now program both at East-West (taught by LaGuardia Community College professors) and at Queens College.

For grades 9 to 12, teachers run small group advisory sessions that meet twice a week and help staff keep tabs on students and head off social and academic problems before they escalate.

Rising 9th-graders new to East-West participate in a summer program to help them acclimate to the school and make new friends; ongoing 8th-graders from East-West are welcome to attend too.

After-school options include academic support as well as an eclectic mix of clubs and activities such as table tennis, debate team, Model UN, ultimate Frisbee, Yiddish song club, student newspaper and Junior NAACP. One downside: There are limited sports offerings, which include a PSAL boys basketball team and intramural options such as volleyball and soccer.

The school partners with College Bound Initiative, which funds a full-time college counselor who oversees trips to colleges and provides individual support for students and parents with college and financial aid applications. Graduates attend a range of schools including CUNY, SUNY and private colleges.

East-West is located on the third and fourth floors of a large building it shares with JHS 237, The Rachel L. Carson School.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: There are ICT (Integrated Collaborative Teaching) classes and SETSS. The school has an ASD NEST program that serves a small group of children with an autism spectrum disorder who are fully integrated into all East-West classes. ASD NEST students also take a special class that focuses on social- and skills-development training.

(Laura Zingmond, interview and web reports, February 2018)

 

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School Stats

Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average
Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average

Is this school safe and well-run?

From the 2022-2023 NYC School Survey

How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
87%
81% Citywide Average
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
37%
52% Citywide Average
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
64%
78% Citywide Average
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
92%
77% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
0%
1% Citywide Average

From this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Are teachers effective?

From 2023 End-of-year Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Report

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
78%
79% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
6.5

How do students perform academically?

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
79%
42% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
78%
51% Citywide Average

From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide

How many 8th-graders earn high school credit?
96%
92% Citywide Average
How many students graduate in 4 years?
97%
91% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
686
Asian
75%
Black
4%
Hispanic
18%
White
3%
Other
1%
Free or reduced priced lunch
83%
Students with disabilities
17%
English language learners
11%

From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
93%
88% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
20%
39% Citywide Average

How does this school serve special populations?

From 2023 End-of-year Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Report

How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
92%
85% Citywide Average

From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database

How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
20%
7% Citywide Average
For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Programs & Admissions

From the 2024 High School Directory

East-West School of International Studies (Q82A)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

This program is for students who have a strong interest in studying an Asian language. Students accepted are placed in a three- or four- year sequence of either Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese, or Korean. All of our language programs are targeted to non-native speakers. Applicants should follow the link on our school homepage at www.ewsis.org to submit a personal statement about their interest in East Asian culture. Select "Ed-Opt Program" under the "Students" tab to submit.

East-West School of International Studies ASD Nest Program (Q82Y)

Admissions Method: ASD/ACES Program

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

Japanese, Korean, Mandarin

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Calculus AB, AP Chinese Language and Culture, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Statistics, Chemistry (Advanced Science), ELA (College Course [Credited]), Math (College Course [Credited]), Other (College Course [Credited]), Physics (Advanced Science), Social Studies (College Course [Credited]), US History (College Course [Credited]), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)

Boys PSAL teams

Basketball, Volleyball

Girls PSAL teams

Volleyball

Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

46-21 Colden Street
Queens NY 11355

Buses: Q17, Q20A, Q20B, Q25, Q27, Q34, Q44-SBS, Q65


Contact

Principal: Anthony Cromer

Parent Coordinator: Sue Jen Hu

Phone: 718-353-0009

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? Yes

This school shares the building with IS 237

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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