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University Prep Charter High School

Grades: 9-12
Staff Pick for Special Ed Noteworthy

Our Insights

What’s Special

Skilled teachers, good Regents results, small classes

The Downside

No music and art until 12th grade, late lunch

Many charter schools operate under the premise that teachers' unions are a barrier to good education. But University Prep Charter High School is out to prove that well-paid, unionized teachers are fundamental to students' success.University Prep, which has a collaboration with the United Federation of Teachers, was named a "National Blue Ribbon School" by the U.S. Department of Education in 2016, an award given to high performing schools. Nearly every student graduates on time, and most go to college (although some need to take remedial courses when they get there.) The school offers a full complement of Advanced Placement classes, and many students take College Now classes at CUNY campuses while they are still in high school.

Andrea D'Amato, principal since 2015, has created an atmosphere of trust and respect, according to school surveys. Although some students are concerned about safety in the neighborhood outside the school, they feel safe in the school building, which is shared with the Hostos-Lincoln Academy of Science. Students wear a uniform of navy blue collared shirts, khaki pants, and solid black or brown shoes.

Founded in 2008 as Green Dot New York Charter School, the name was changed to University Prep Charter High School in 2013 after ending its relationship with Green Dot Public Schools, a network of schools in California. Teachers have a special contract that pays them more than other members of the United Federation of Teachers in exchange for a longer school day and year.

All incoming 9th graders participate in a summer bridge program for 4 to 6 weeks. It gives them a preview of math, English and health courses; introduces them to their classmates; and helps them get used to the school's environment.

School hours are 8:30 am to 4 pm. Classes meet every other day for 90 minutes which helps students prepare for a college schedule and allows teachers to "dive deeper" into the subject matter, according to a school brochure. Classes blend "hands-on learning" and with "interactive lectures."

SPECIAL EDUCATION: The school offers SETSS (pull-out) classes, and sometimes offers ICT (team teaching) classes.

 (Clara Hemphill, school brochure and web reports, March 2017)

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School Stats

Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average

Academics

School
Citywide
How many students graduate in 4 years?
 
98%
How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
 
89%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school offers enough activities and services for their children's needs?
 
91%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school works to achieve the goals of their students' IEPs?
 
87%
From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide and 2020-21 NYC School Survey

Students

434
Number of students
Citywide Average is 615

Race/Ethnicity


School
Citywide
Low-income students
 
91%
Students with disabilities
 
19%
Multilingual learners
 
4%
From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Safety & Vibe

School
Citywide
How many students were suspended?
 
2%
How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
 
93%
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
 
30%
How many students say that some are bullied at their school because of their gender or sexual orientation?
 
18%
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
 
87%
From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey and 2019-20 NY State Report Card

Faculty & Staff

School
Citywide
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
 
82%

Teachers’ Race/Ethnicity


From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey, 2021-22 School Quality Guide, 2019-20 Report on School-Based Staff Demographics, 2021 Guidance Counselor Report, and this school's most recent Quality Review Report

College Readiness

School
Citywide
How many students graduate with test scores high enough to enroll at CUNY without remedial help?
 
75%
How many students take a college-level course or earn a professional certificate?
 
92%
How many students who have graduated from this high school stay in college for at least 3 semesters?
 
90%
From the 2020-21 and 2021-22 School Quality Guide
How many students filled out a FAFSA form by the end of their senior year?
 
94%
From the 2022-23 FAFSA data released by Federal Student Aid, brought you by
For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Contact & Location

Location

600 Saint Ann's Avenue
Bronx NY 10455

Trains: 2 Line, 5 Line to Jackson Ave

Buses: Bx13, Bx15, Bx17, Bx19, Bx2, Bx21, Bx4, Bx41, Bx41-SBS, Bx46, Bx4A, Bx6


Contact

Principal: Andrea Damato

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? Yes

This school shares the building with I.S. 584 and the Hostos-Lincoln Academy of Science

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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