Our Insights
What’s Special
Students learn to build boats; free childcare for student-parents
The Downside
School disrupted because of Hurricane Sandy
The Rockaway Park High School for Environmental Sustainability is designed to offer projects and activities to students who may be turned off by traditional academics. Students may paddle a kayak or learn carpentry to build boats. Community partners offer students paid summer jobs, according to the high school directory.
The school, housed in the Beach Channel Educational Complex, was founded in 2010 by Principal Jennifer Connolly, who previously taught in an alternative high school. Connolly was born on the Rockaway Peninsula; her mother graduated from Far Rockaway High School and her grandmother was a crossing guard in the neighborhood.
Like the rest of the Rockaways, the school suffered a blow during Hurricane Sandy in October 2012, and the building was closed for four months.
“The aftereffects are still felt today, through student displacement and economic hardship,” according to the school’s 2018-19 Comprehensive Educational Plan. There are “no bookstores, one small public library, no movie theaters or arts venues, one YMCA, and limited grocery and restaurant options.” Most student live in surrounding housing projects and small bungalows or former summer cottages.
Beach Channel Educational Complex offers free childcare for students’ children in the LYFE center.
Graduates have been admitted to St John's University, Wells College, Buffalo State College, Delaware State, SUNY Farmingdale and Hunter College, according to the CEP.
(Clara Hemphill, DOE statistics, December 2018)
Get more from InsideSchools
School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Advanced Courses
Calculus
Not offered in 2021-21Computer Science
Physics
Not offered in 2021-21Advanced Foreign Language
AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science
AP/IB Math or Science
Music
College Readiness
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryRockaway Park High School for Environmental Sustainability (Q36A)
The Green Carpentry Program (Q36G)
Program Description:
The carpentry course of study is designed to create an appreciation of the industry and to develop entry-level skills within the carpentry trade, currently on the way to being CTE certified. Students will develop skills that ensure a successful transition from high school to postsecondary institutions.
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Psychology, Chemistry (Advanced Science), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Football, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
100-00 Beach Channel Drive
Queens
NY
11694
Trains: to Beach 105th St
Buses: Q21, Q22, Q53-SBS, QM16
Contact
Other Details
This school shares the Beach Channel Educational Campus with two other schools
Was this information helpful?
Get more from InsideSchools
You may also like …
Rockaway Collegiate High School
Queens, NY 11694
New Visions Charter High School for the Humanities IV
Queens, NY 11694
Comments