Our Insights
What’s Special
Landmarked building
The Downside
Declining enrollment; academics have a ways to go
The first public high school in New York City, Flushing was founded in 1875 with a class of seven. It moved into its current, castle-like building, which it shares with two small schools, more than 100 years ago.
While the two small schools, Veritas and Queens High School for Language Studies, are quite successful, Flushing High School has long struggled with low graduation rates, poor attendance and declining enrollment. It has had six principals in eight years. The city threatened to close it for poor performance in 2012, and only agreed to keep it open after a lawsuit.
Its Gothic-style building features gargoyles perched atop a turreted facade, stained glass windows and an auditorium that could easily pass for a cathedral sanctuary, complete with vaulted ceilings and an enormous pipe organ that no longer works. Two more wings added in recent decades have transformed Flushing’s original structure into a massive facility with hallways that seem to stretch two city blocks.
The school has no sports field but teams have exclusive use of two fields within walking distance. There are two gyms and weight, cardio, and spinning rooms with professional grade equipment in the building.
Admissions: Students who live in the attendance zone are guaranteed admission. Others may apply for the school’s law, business or science programs. In recent years, the school has had room for every student who wants to attend. (Clara Hemphill, web reports, December 2018)
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School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Teachers’ Race/Ethnicity
Advanced Courses
Calculus
Computer Science
Physics
Not offered in 2019-20Advanced Foreign Language
AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science
AP/IB Math or Science
Music
College Readiness
Programs & Admissions
From the 2021 High School DirectoryThurgood Marshall Law Pathway
Program Description:
Introduction to Law, Criminology and Juvenile Justice, Practical Law, Constitutional Law, Civil Rights Law, Trial Techniques, and Advanced Topics in Law and Public Service. Students can choose one area of study: Legal Studies or Public Service.
Science Research Pathway
Program Description:
This is an opportunity for students to experience the rigor and rewards of scientific research. Courses are designed to provide students with an understanding of research methods in the sciences. Open to students who have an interest in science and wish to conduct research. As students accumulate credits in the pathway, they are supported by teachers to form and progress into areas of original research. Students will get access to scientific databases.
Business Entrepreneurship Pathway
Program Description:
As a registered testing center for Microsoft programs, students taking business courses with participation in the Virtual Enterprise Program are eligible for Microsoft MOUS certification. Students may also pursue CTE Business certification.
Zoned
Offerings
From the 2021 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Mandarin, Spanish
Advanced Placement (AP) courses
AP Calculus AB, AP Biology, AP Human Geography, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Statistics, AP English Language and Composition, AP Chemistry, AP World History: Modern, AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP United States History, AP Spanish Literature and Culture
Boys PSAL teams
Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Football, Handball, Soccer, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling
Girls PSAL teams
Badminton, Basketball, Handball, Indoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
35-01 Union Street
Flushing
NY
11354
Trains:
to Flushing-Main St
Buses: Q12, Q13, Q15, Q15A, Q16, Q17, Q19, Q20A, Q20B, Q25, Q26, Q27, Q28, Q34, Q44-SBS, Q48, Q50, Q65, Q66, QM20, QM3
Contact
Other Details
This school shares the building with the Queens HS for Language Studies and Veritas Academy
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You may also like …
Veritas Academy
Flushing, NY 11354
Queens High School for Language Studies
Flushing, NY 11354
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