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Curtis High School
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Staten Island NY 10301
Our Insights
What’s Special
Wide array of programs, classes, sports and activities
The Downside
Too much chalk and talk
Curtis High School on Staten Island’s North Shore is a relative rarity in New York City today – a large, diverse high school offering a mix of academic and career programs. Its size enables it to offer three foreign languages, many Advanced Placement classes, a variety of arts classes with seven full-time arts teachers, and more than thirty varsity sports teams.
Curtis is broken into nine small learning communities called houses – “many houses, one home” as a student says in a school video. These include houses focused on the academically demanding International Baccalaureate curriculum, Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps and various college preparatory programs, including legal studies and journalism. Some of the houses, such as visual and performing arts and the Computer Business Institute, also offer a career training component. Students in the nursing house graduate high school ready to take the New York State Boards for Licensed Practical Nurse and Nurses Assistant certification exams.
Most teachers look forward to work and recommend the school to parents, according to school surveys. An educator who visited the school for its Quality Review praised Curtis for its embrace of technology, for setting high expectations for students and for communication with parents.
However, some teachers rely too heavily on question-and-answer sessions and don't do enough to adjust classwork to individual student needs, the reviewer said. Too many classes have desks in rows, impeding class discussions.
Curtis — the borough's first high school — opened in 1904 and the building was landmarked in 1982. Overcrowding was a persistent concern but a new wing including eleven classrooms, a gymnasium, and a multimedia room opened in 2017, easing the problem.
Special education: Curtis offers a range of special education services. With about two-thirds of its student with disabilities spending the bulk of their day in team-teaching classes with two teachers and a mix of special and general education students. There are also self-contained classes. Less than half of students with disabilities graduate in four years.
Admissions: Any resident residing within Curtis’ zone on Staten Island’s North Shore is admitted. Once admitted students can then select from houses with available slots. Students who want admission to a specific program must apply to that program. Students from outside the zone must apply program by program. While all are open to any New York City student, some give priority to Staten Islanders, with few, if any, openings available to children from other boroughs, Admissions criteria and availability vary. There are some openings for incoming 10th graders. (Gail Robinson, school website and DOE material, October 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 2018-19 Demographic Snapshot
From 2018-19 School Quality Guide
From 2018 School Directories
How does this school serve special populations?
From 2018-19 School Quality Guide
Programs & Admissions
From the 2020 High School Directory
Program Description:
This program offers students the opportunity to learn Microsoft Office applications, e-commerce, and introductory Computer Science which includes web design and computer programming. This course sequence leads to an industry-recognized certification as a Microsoft Office Specialist in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint along with an opportunity to participate in co-op education.
Program Description:
This program offers students the opportunity to gain a basic understanding of law as the foundation of human society and our role as citizens in the justice system. In addition to standard academic curricula, students interact with representatives from the legal community, including district attorneys, judges, and special law enforcement agencies such as the FBI.
Requirements:
- Attendance
- Punctuality
- Course Grades: English (80-100), Math (79-100), Science (80-100), Social Studies (80-100)
- Standardized Test Scores: English Language Arts (2.6-4.5), Math (2.3-4.5)
- Math and English Test (on-site)
Program Description:
The IB Diploma Program offers students a unique, rigorous curriculum in Humanities and STEM-related fields authorized by the IB Organization. All students are expected to achieve an Advanced Regents Diploma and will also take numerous AP courses in addition to their seven required IB courses.
Program Description:
This program offers students opportunities to explore the following: writing, layout design, photojournalism, documentary film, broadcasting, emerging technologies, and print production. Students publish 10 newspapers annually, a yearbook, and literary magazine. The program includes partnerships with colleges and local media.
Program Description:
The Naval JROTC program is a leadership and citizenship training program co-sponsored by the Department of Education and the United States Navy. The curriculum is divided into three areas: academic, military skills, and physical fitness.
Requirements:
- Attendance
- Punctuality
- Course Grades: English (68-100), Math (66-100), Science (72-100), Social Studies (73-100)
- Standardized Test Scores: English Language Arts (2.0-4.5), Math (1.7-4.5)
Program Description:
This program offers two State-approved CTE health career programs. The Practical Nursing program includes 798 clinical hours in addition to the curriculum. These students are then eligible to take the NCLEX State Board examination for Licensed Practical Nurse. The Nursing Assistant program includes 108 clinical hours along with a curriculum that allows students to take the NYS certification exam to be certified as a Nursing Assistant.
Program Description:
The Performing Arts program offers students the opportunity to study dance, theater, or music through a variety of classes that are enriched by after-school performances and partnerships with Roundabout Theater, Battery Dance Company, Theatre for New Audiences, and The College of Staten Island. Course offerings include: IB Dance, Modern Dance, Ballet, Composition, Theater I, IB Theater, Chorus, Piano, Guitar, Orchestra, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Band.
Requirements:
- Attendance
- Punctuality
- Course Grades: English (70-100), Math (65-100), Science (68-100), Social Studies (70-100)
- Standardized Test Scores: English Language Arts (1.9-4.5), Math (1.8-4.5)
Program Description:
This program offers students challenging college-prep classes such as AP, IB, AVID, and CTE classes. Students are supported with AVID pedagogy that develops study, note-taking, and organizational skills. Curtis is pursuing certification of its IB Career-related program which is nested within this program. Curtis currently offers career pathways in STEM, art, and law. This program is also part of the CHS World Student Exchange with the Netherlands, Italy, France, and/or Spain.
Program Description:
This program offers students the opportunity to study fine arts or graphic design through a variety of classes that are enriched by after-school programs and a design partnership with Roundabout Theater. Course offerings include: Drawing, Painting, AP Art History, IB Art, and/or CTE Graphic Design using Adobe Creative Suite.
Program Description:
Comprehensive academic program.
Academics
Language Courses
French, Italian, Spanish
Advanced Placement (AP) courses
AP Calculus AB, AP Computer Science, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP European History, AP Spanish, AP U.S. History, AP World History
Sports
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Football, Handball, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Gymnastics, Handball, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Rugby, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling
Coed PSAL teams
Double Dutch, Golf
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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