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Math, Engineering, and Science Academy (MESA) Charter High School

Grades: 9-12
Noteworthy

Our Insights

What’s Special

Project-based math and science classes

The Downside

Metal detectors

On the first day of class at Math, Engineering and Science Academy (MESA), new students may find a “body” (a person playing dead) face down on the floor, sparking an investigation into forensic analysis of DNA from hair and blood samples. MESA offers project-based courses to bring math and science to life. This still-young school has a strong record preparing students for college.

The school is safe and orderly with steady leadership. It boasts excellent attendance; students are responsible for calling their own parents if they are even one minute late, according to the student handbook. Staff serve as mentors for small groups of students and try to “catch” them following rules and doing good work, rather than focusing on mistakes. Most teens say there is little bullying in school. 

Like many charters, MESA has a principal who oversees instruction and an executive director who oversees operations. Arthur Samuels, a Harvard Law School and Columbia Teachers College alumnus, designed the program at his previous post at East Harlem’s Renaissance Charter High School for Innovation. Principal Pagee Cheung is also a graduate of Teachers College.

Samuels says he is proud of MESA’s positive school culture. “It’s not a punitive culture: no demerits, no uniform, but we do have a dress code. Teens have some freedom to express their personalities. Rigor is not sacrificed for warmth. We don’t have silent passing in the halls, but it’s not chaotic.” 

MESA is a rare “stand alone" charter high school—unconnected to a middle or elementary school and not supported by a network of many schools under one umbrella. The school day starts later than usual, at 9 am, to mirror the start of a professional workday, the website says, and ends at 4:16 pm (Wednesday is a shorter day). During school breaks in February and April, MESA offers enrichment and remediation classes, which are not optional for students struggling academically.

Clubs meet about once or twice a week for an hour with topics such as ukulele, Spanish cinema, dance team, debate, art, math team and robotics. The gym, library, dance room, auditorium and cafeteria are shared with JHS 291 and Bushwick Community High School. Entrance times are staggered. The building has a metal detector.

Admissions: See MySchools. (Lydie Raschka, web reports, January 2019)

 

 

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School Stats

Academics

School
Citywide
How many students graduate in 4 years?
 
91%
How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
 
92%
How many English language learners graduate in 4 years?
 
72%
Average daily attendance
 
88%
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
 
39%
From the 2023-24 School Quality Guide and 2023-24 NYC School Survey

Students

513
Number of students
Citywide Average is 608

Race/Ethnicity


School
Citywide
Low-income students
 
87%
Students with disabilities
 
16%
Multilingual learners
 
19%
From the 2024-25 Demographic Snapshot

Safety & Vibe

School
Citywide
How many students were suspended?
 
2%
From the 2023-24 NYC School Survey and 2023-24 NY State Report Card

Faculty & Staff

School
Citywide
2.0
Years of principal experience at this school
Citywide Average is 8
How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
 
80%
Teacher turnover rate
 
34%
From the 2023-24 NYC School Survey, 2023-24 School Quality Guide, 2022-23 Report on School-Based Staff Demographics, 2025 Guidance Counselor Report, and this school's most recent Quality Review Report

College and Career Readiness

School
Citywide
How many students take a college-level course or earn a professional certificate?
 
68%
How many students who have graduated from this high school stay in college for at least 3 semesters?
 
53%
From the 2023-24 School Quality Guide
For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Contact & Location

Location

231 Palmetto Street
Brooklyn NY 11221

Trains: J Line, Z Line to Gates Ave; L Line to Myrtle-Wyckoff Aves; M Line to Knickerbocker Ave

Buses: B13, B26, B52, B54, Q24, Q55, Q58


Contact

Principal: Cassandra Franzese

Phone: 718-282-7426

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? Yes

This school shares the building with Bushwick Community HS and JHS 291

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? Yes

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