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Benjamin N. Cardozo High School
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Bayside NY
Our Insights
What’s Special
Large school with lots of activities and top-notch science research program
The Downside
Like most large schools, not much hand-holding in college office
Benjamin N. Cardozo is a large, successful high school that’s home to several themed programs, including the highly competitive Da Vinci Math/Science Institute and popular options in law, journalism and dance.
Cardozo’s size is its strength, offering a huge range of classes and supports for students of all skill levels, including many advanced and college-level courses as well as ones for struggling learners and beginning English speakers. Foreign language instruction is offered in French, German, Mandarin and Spanish.
Many classes, especially honors, go well beyond the Regents curriculum. Da Vinci students take a challenging load of research, honors and Advanced Placement (AP), but qualifying students from any program can take honors, AP and College Now classes, the latter taught in collaboration with St. John’s University and Queens College. Students may also take courses for free at Queensborough Community College.
Students who do best here find their niche among the wide selection of clubs, activities and athletic teams. Art and music classes as well as bands, an orchestra and choir keep musically inclined students engaged. There are academic teams such as debate, moot court, mock trial, model UN, science Olympiad, robotics and math, and more than 30 PSAL sports teams and an impressive range of clubs.
The sprawling building is located in a quiet, residential neighborhood and is surrounded by extensive outdoor facilities more commonly found at surburban high schools, including sports fields, handball courts and a full-size track.
Like most large schools, there isn't a lot of hand-holding in the college office, but counselors do their best despite huge caseloads. Guidance counselors visit classes to guide 11th-graders through the college admissions process. Parent volunteers pitch in to help process college applications. Graduates go on to CUNY and SUNY schools as well as highly selective private colleges and universities.
SPECIAL EDUCATION: In addition to SETSS, there are self-contained and ICT classes in many subjects. The school offers a co-teaching model for English language learners in select classes, which are led by both the subject teacher and an ENL (English as a new language) teacher.
ADMISSIONS: Open only to Queens students and residents. Guaranteed admission to students in the school's zone who apply to the zoned program. The Da Vinci Math/Science Institute screens for strong grades, standardized test scores and attendance. Admission to Performing Dance is based on an audition and review of grades, test scores and attendance. The Mentor Law and Humanities program admits students based on the educational option formula, which is designed to admit a mix of low-, average- and high-achieving students. Journalism and Media Studies does not consider grades or test scores but gives priority to zoned students. (Laura Zingmond, April 2015; updated via web reports, February 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:
This program is dedicated to fostering interest in the political and legal fields. It is open to a wide range of academic performance levels. Students will engage in a sequence of history courses in topics including political theory, ethics, civil, criminal, and constitutional law. They will also participate in activities such as Mock Trial, NYPD Explorers, and law and political field internship.
Program Description:
This program is designed for students who have an interest in pursuing a career in media, broadcasting, and journalism.
Program Description:
Biomedical Science students will study the concepts of human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology and public health. This program is in partnership with Project Lead the Way (PLTW).
Program Description:
Students study ballet, modern, and jazz techniques along with choreography. Students also have the opportunity to explore additional forms of dance by attending live performances and participating in school productions.
Academics
Language Courses
Korean, Mandarin, Spanish
Advanced Placement (AP) courses
AP World History: Modern, AP Calculus BC, AP Chinese Language and Culture, AP Macroeconomics, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP European History, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Statistics, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Physics 1, AP United States History, AP Environmental Science, AP Comparative Government and Politics, AP Microeconomics, AP Computer Science A, AP Psychology
Sports
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Fencing, Football, Handball, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Golf, Gymnastics, Handball, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling
Coed PSAL teams
Golf, Stunt
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
Contact
Other Details
Zone for the 2019-2020 school year. Call school to confirm.
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