Our Insights
What’s Special
Students learn a trade while enjoying a well-rounded high school experience
The Downside
Limited elective classes, though there are clubs, sports and activities after school
Thomas A. Edison High School sets the gold standard for Career and Technical Education (CTE). Unlike small CTE schools that focus on a particular theme, Thomas Edison offers 11 CTE tracks spread across several themed programs: visual art and design, information technologies, computer aided design (CAD), electrical installation, automotive, robotics and engineering, and medical careers. All students major in a trade but also enjoy a well-rounded high school experience that includes strong academics and lots of activities and sports teams.
There is a pleasant and old-fashioned quality to this school. Safety officers greet visitors with a smile; there’s a student-run club dedicated to promoting acts of kindness. Many teachers, especially in CTE classes, have worked in the school for years.
CTE or “shop” classes run 90 minutes, and most take place in spacious, well-equipped rooms. There are labs for medical careers, engineering, digital media, graphic arts and web/app development, as well as a podcast studio and a state-licensed garage where automotive students service over 100 cars per year. Multiple rooms are filled with computers to accommodate the many technology-based CTE classes. The school’s innovation lab is filled with high-tech equipment including 3-D printers that teachers use to design and model new lessons and students use to brainstorm, design, and create new products.
Depending on their chosen track, students can earn industry certifications such as Adobe software (web design and graphic communications), CISCO networking, A+ computer maintenance (information technologies), medical assisting, and AutoCAD.
In academic classes, there’s a mix of teaching styles. Some classes are more traditional, with desks in rows and teachers up front, while in others, group work is more the norm. Regardless of the subject, students are expected to write a lot and present their work to the class.
In addition to honors and Advanced Placement classes, students may take college-level courses taught by Thomas Edison teachers through CUNY’s College Now program. Spanish is the only foreign language taught.
There are few elective classes because students’ schedules are packed with academic and double-period shop classes. One popular elective is Model UN. Another is the Junior ROTC (JROTC) program that offers the traditional JROTC program as well as a specialized cyber security track. There are also many PSAL sports teams and a nice range of clubs and student organizations.
A college counselor and career coordinator work with guidance counselors (there are two per grade) and several teachers to advise students on college admissions and post-graduation employment.
SPECIAL EDUCATION: There are a range of services and supports, including self-contained and ICT (integrated co-teaching) classes. An alternative assessment program teaches life skills and academic subjects to special needs students who are unable to take a traditional academic load because of severe disabilities. They learn basic skills for independent living in the school's model apartment, a room equipped with a full kitchen, washer and dryer, and a bathroom with a shower. They also manage a hydroponic garden, where they grow food that they use to cook meals for themselves as well as to prepare dishes to serve in the staff café. (Laura Zingmond, via interview, May 2024)
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School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Advanced Courses
Calculus
Computer Science
Physics
Advanced 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 DirectoryVisual Arts (Q67I)
Program Description:
Preparation for careers in one of the following visual arts areas: Graphic Arts, Digital Media, or Mobile Apps & Web Design/Developer. With a major focus on hands on instruction, these programs prepare students for relevant college majors with exposure to careers in all areas of visual arts. Industry certification (Adobe Certified Associate), dual enrollment, and articulated college credit courses included. Visit www.EdisonCTE.org for more information about our Visual Arts programs.
Information Technologies (Q67K)
Program Description:
Preparation for careers in one of these information technology areas: Apple Service Technician, Internetworking, IT Specialist, and Cyber Security. With a major focus on hands on instruction, these programs prepare students for relevant college majors with exposure to careers in all areas of IT, industry certification (A+, Apple Certified Technician, Network+, Security+), dual enrollment, and articulated college courses. Visit www.EdisonCTE.org for more information about our IT programs.
Computer Aided Design (CAD) (Q67M)
Program Description:
Preparation for careers in the creative world of Architecture and Design. With a major focus on hands on instruction, this program prepares students to enter the field of architecture, construction, and engineering. Industry certification (AutoCAD & Autodesk Revit), dual enrollment, and articulated college credit courses included. Visit www.EdisonCTE.org for more information about our Architecture & Engineering program.
Electrical Installation Technologies (Q67N)
Program Description:
Preparation for careers in electrical & solar technology. With a major focus on hands on instruction, this program prepares students with a focus on low voltage systems, residential wiring, motors/motor controls, and solar technology. Exposure to careers in all areas of electrical & solar technology. Industry certification (OSHA, NCCER, and Energy Management). Visit www.EdisonCTE.org for more information about our Electrical & Solar Technology program.
Automotive Technologies (Q67P)
Program Description:
Preparation for careers in one of the following automotive areas: Automotive Technology and Collision & Refinishing. With a major focus on hands on instruction, these programs prepare students for relevant college majors with exposure to careers in all areas of the automotive industry. Industry certification (ASE and i-Car), dual enrollment, and articulated college credit courses included. Visit www.EdisonCTE.org for more information about our Automotive and Collision & Refinishing programs.
Robotics/STEM (Q67S)
Program Description:
Preparation for careers in computer science and engineering. With a major focus on hands on instruction and computer coding (Python, Java, and C++), this program prepares students with a focus on learning basic robot and drone building instructions, programming, movement, and working with sensors. Projects incorporate STEM concepts. Industry certification (OSHA and MTA: Intro to Python) Visit www.EdisonCTE.org for more information about our Robotics/STEM & Drone program.
Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High D75 Inclusion Program (Q67U)
Medical Careers (Q67V)
Program Description:
Preparation for careers in the exciting world of Medicine. With a major focus on hands on instruction, this program focuses on the medical profession and prepares students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies for success in college pre-med programs. Industry certification (AMCA and NOCTI: Medical Assisting), dual enrollment, and articulated college credit courses included. Visit www.EdisonCTE.org for more information about our Medical Assisting program.
Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High School ACES 15:1 Program (Q67Y)
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Human Geography, AP Physics 1, AP Psychology, AP Research, AP Seminar, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Statistics, AP United States Government and Politics, AP United States History, AP World History: Modern, Calculus (Advanced Math), Chemistry (Advanced Science), Comp Sci/Math Tech (College Course [Credited]), ELA (College Course [Credited]), Math (College Course [Credited]), Other (College Course [Credited]), Physics (Advanced Science), Science (Advanced Placement), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Handball, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball
Coed PSAL teams
Cricket
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
165-65 84 Avenue
Queens
NY
11432
Buses: Q1, Q2, Q25, Q3, Q30, Q31, Q34, Q36, Q43, Q46, Q65, Q76, Q77, QM1, QM31, QM35, QM36, QM5, QM6, QM7, QM8, X68
Contact
Other Details
This school is in its own building.
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