J.H.S. 74 Nathaniel Hawthorne

MS 74 is a large middle school boasting strong academics and offering interesting science and arts opportunities to students in the Bayside area.

The school houses a district gifted and talented (G&T) program and its zoned program has "special progress" (SP) classes for high achievers as well as classes that cater to a range of abilities. Overall, test scores are high and most 8th-graders graduate with some high school credit.

In classes, teachers pose challenging, thought-provoking questions to students and create tasks for all academic levels, according to the school’s Quality Review.

JHS 74 stresses science and the arts. It has a partnership with St. Francis College, which gives students access to a college science lab, and offers a software engineering pilot program.

A former music teacher, principal Anthony Armstrong sees the arts as key to engaging students who might not be academic stars. Students may choose from instrumental and vocal music, graphic art and design, studio art, theater and the moving image. The school also has collaborations with arts organizations, including two dance groups.

Additional arts offerings are included among the school’s many clubs, along with many sports, a team that prepares a video newscast about the school and a tech squad.

Armstrong, who has been principal since 2010, gets high marks from teachers for involving the faculty in key decisions and for having a strong educational vision and following through on it, according to the annual NYC School Survey.

Classes are large and many students said in the survey that they would like more individual attention and support from their teachers, although the school is orderly, safe and even cheerful.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: The school has ICT (integrated co-teaching) classes as well as self-contained classes for students with special needs.

ADMISSIONS: The general program is for students who live in the zone. The G&T program is open to all District 26 students with priority going to those in the G&T program at PS 203. Admission to G&T is based on the final 4th grade report card, 4th grade state tests, academic and personal behavior and attendance (Gail Robinson, web reports, April 2019)