Great Oaks Kathleen Sherry Charter School
Grades: 6-12Our Insights
What’s Special
Academic support built into the school day
The Downside
Few competitive sports and electives
Great Oaks Charter is a small 6–12 school with a longer school day and extra academic support. All classes are led by two teachers. Students meet daily in small advisory groups and are paired with a teacher-mentor who checks on their progress. The school is organized into four small “houses,” grouping students that stay together all seven years. The school has a focus on hands-on projects. Every Wednesday is a half day for students.
In 6th grade, students read full novels like Hidden Figures and The Heart of a Samurai. They study ancient civilizations, and create visual art projects such as street murals. By 8th grade, students read works like To Kill a Mockingbird. In history, they examine original sources from ancient Egypt, Greece, and African civilizations, debate different perspectives, and work together on projects that bring the past to life.
In addition to regular classes, high school students may take electives such as journalism, yearbook, dance, drama, space science, and criminal justice. They can study French or Spanish. There are also support classes tied to Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Daily “Focus” periods provide extra help in biology, algebra, global history, and literature. Seniors complete a final portfolio presentation in front of a panel, reflecting on their work across high school. Study abroad trips take select students to locations like Italy, France, Greece and the Dominican Republic.
Attendance needs improvement. Many students miss a month or more of school. This can slow learning for everyone, because teachers must spend time helping them catch up.
Middle school students may stay after school for homework help along with activities like photography, drama, cooking, and sports. High school students receive academic help after school and on Saturday.
All high school students take a college and career readiness class and students visit college campuses starting in middle school.
Located in the West Village, the school is housed in the former Our Lady of Pompeii Catholic School building. The middle school opened in 2013, and the high school was added in 2022. As a smaller school, it only offers a few competitive sports. One perk, however, is that it has its own gymnasium.
SPECIAL EDUCATION: The school serves students with disabilities in integrated classrooms, which include two teachers, one with special education training. Some classes also include student teachers from programs at New York University or Relay Graduate School of Education. (Lydie Raschka, interview and official reports, May 2026)
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School Stats
Is this school safe and well-run?
From the 2024-2025 NYC School Survey
From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card
From the 2024-25 School Quality Report
How do students perform academically?
From the New York State 2024-2025 Assessment Database
From the 2024-25 School Quality Guide
Who does this school serve?
From the 2024-25 Demographic Snapshot
From the 2024-25 School Quality Guide
How does this school serve special populations?
From the 2024-25 School Quality Report
From the New York State 2024-2025 Assessment Database
Contact & Location
Location
240 Bleecker Street
Manhattan
NY
10014
Trains:
to Spring St;
,
to Grand St;
,
to Delancey St-Essex St;
,
to Bowery
Buses: M9, M14A, M15, M15-SBS, M103, B39
Contact
Other Details
This school is in its own building.
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