Ralph R. McKee Career and Technical Education High School
Grades: 9-12Our Insights
What’s Special
Array of career programs and business partnerships
The Downside
Many students struggle academically
The only Career and Technical Education (CTE) school on Staten Island, Ralph R. McKee High School, located on a hill overlooking the harbor, is intended for students who do not intend to go to college as well as those who do.
The website urges students to consider McKee “whether your dream is to someday design the most iconic building on Staten Island, to start your own business, to join Local 20, or to become the very first member of your family to graduate from college.” Longtime principal Sharon Henry has said described the school as being for “the great middle.”
Every student at the school enrolls in one of seven career oriented programs: architectural drafting, automotive technology, carpentry and construction, electrical engineering, graphic design, software engineering and a business program called Virtual Enterprise. To graduate, students must take a full academic program as well as 12 semesters of CTE classes. A number of Staten Island businesses offer paid internships to students.
In the school’s Quality Review students reported that math, English and social students classes were the strongest subjects at the school. McKee offers few Advanced Placement classes and students may also take College Now classes for College credit.
AVID, a growing national college preparatory program, plays a key role in the effort to boost academics at McKee. AVID students take classes together and receive extra support in problem-solving, note-taking and other academic skills.
An educator who visited the school highlighted McKee’ positive learning environment, praising the school for providing students with a variety of paths for forming relationships within the building. The review was less enthusiastic about the quality of some classes, pointing up instances where students didn’t have materials, became confused or lost interest. In a survey, students highlighted similar problems, giving their classmates lower than average marks for classroom behavior and attentiveness.
McKee offers a large number of interscholastic sports teams including cricket, double Dutch, fencing, gulf and rugby as well as the more common athletics.
After experiencing a drop in enrollment in the early teens, the student population at McKee has rebounded. It has far more boys than girls.
The school traces its beginning to the start of what was then called vocational education on Staten Island’s North Shore around 1920. McKee moved into its current building and acquired its current name in 1935.
Special Education: As many as a third of McKee students have special needs. About half of those students spend much of their school day in team teaching classes with a mix of general education and special education students. McKee also has some self-contained special education classes. Special education students may enroll in all of McKee’s career programs and are eligible for internships, according to the Comprehensive Educational Plan
Admissions: When applying to McKee, students must select the program that interests them and may apply to one or more. Most of the programs choose students using the educational option method that admits students with a range of academic backgrounds, however a couple screen students based on their middle school records. Programs generally have some unfilled seats and accept a small number of incoming 10th graders. Set aside seats for students with disabilities do fill up in some programs. The school is open to any New York City student. (Gail Robinson, from DOE material, September 2018)
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School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Teachers’ Race/Ethnicity
College and Career Readiness
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School Directory75R721 D75 Inclusion Program at Ralph R. McKee Career and Technical Education High School (R60U)
Mckee HS CTE Program (R60A)
Program Description:
All students at Ralph R. McKee High School enter one of our dynamic New York State (NYS)-approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs beginning in 10th grade: Architectural Drafting, Audio Engineering, Automotive, Carpentry & Building Trades, Electrical Installation, Game Design & Coding, and Graphic Design. NYS approval ensures programs meet rigorous standards, enabling students to graduate with a CTE-endorsed diplomasignaling career and college readiness. Each program spans 12 credits across sophomore through senior year and offers industry certifications and 54 hours of Work-Based Learning (WBL). A dedicated WBL Coordinator connects students to internships, ensures compliance with state requirements, and supports their professional growth. In addition to our CTE programs, McKee also provides Advanced Placement and college-level courses, giving students multiple pathways to successwhether immediate entry into the workforce or pursuit of higher education.
McKee HS Scholars Program (R60B)
Program Description:
The McKee CTE Scholars Program is an elite screened academic track that combines four years of rigorous college-level learning. Scholars take Advanced Placement (AP) classes beginning in 9th grade and college courses that strengthen critical thinking, writing, and problem-solving while providing opportunities to earn college credit and stand out in admissions. Alongside academics, all scholars enroll in one of McKees New York State Education Department (NYSED)-approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs (Architectural Drafting, Audio Engineering, Automotive, Carpentry & Building Trades, Electrical Installation, Game Design & Coding, and Graphic Design), graduating with a CTE-endorsed diploma that signals both college and career readiness. Students gain hands-on training, industry certifications, and eligibility for paid internships starting in 10th grade. A dedicated Work-Based Learning Coordinator ensures high-quality placements aligned with career goals. Every scholar also receives a four-year mentorship, providing individualized academic, professional, and personal guidance.
Ralph McKee CTE High School ASD Nest Program (R60H)
Ralph R. Mckee Career and Technical Education High School ACES 15:1 Program (R60Y)
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Calculus AB, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP Human Geography, AP Pre-Calculus, AP United States History, Chemistry (Advanced Science), ELA (College Course [Credited]), Physics (Advanced Science), Social Studies (College Course [Credited]), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Fencing, Football, Handball, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling
Girls PSAL teams
Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Fencing, Golf, Handball, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball
Coed PSAL teams
Golf, Stunt
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
101 Belmont Place
Staten Island
NY
10301
Buses: S40, S42, S44, S46, S48, S51, S52, S61, S62, S66, S74, S76, S78, S81, S84, S86, S90, S91, S92, S94, S96, S98
Contact
Other Details
This school is in its own building.
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