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Rockaway Park High School for Environmental Sustainability
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Rockaway Park NY

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.
Admissions: The school has not filled its seats in recent years. (Clara Hemphill, DOE statistics, December 2018)
Read moreSchool 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:
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.
Academics
Language Courses
Spanish
Advanced Placement (AP) courses
AP Environmental Science, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Psychology, AP United States History, AP English Language and Composition
Sports
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
Contact
Other Details
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