NYHS is located in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Education is the first and most important step for breaking the cycle of poverty. Our ultimate focus is to help students make it to college.
Student Achievements
Since opening in 2003, we’ve celebrated many victories such as our 70% Regents Exam pass rate. NYHS' first graduating class had a graduation rate of 67%, up from 22% in the former Bushwick High School that once occupied our school building. In 2008, our graduation rate was 74%. 95% of our graduates were accepted to post-secondary institutions. Many went to 4-year colleges and universities.
Our Students
Our current student body identifies as 66% Hispanic, 30% Black, and 4% Asian, White, or Native American. Over 80% of our students are classified as economically disadvantaged. We are a Title I school. More than 80% of our students enter NYHS performing below grade level in both math and reading. Currently 16% of our overall school population is classified as English Language Learners and 15% are classified as requiring Special Education services. Statistics from the New York City Department of Education indicate that the overall high school dropout rate in the Bushwick area is approximately 70%.
Student Council
The Harbor School’s student council is composed of over twenty students who represent the different advisories in all four grades. Student Council meets bi-weekly to advise the administration on issues relevant to students, to plan events, and to represent the school at those events. Students are elected in their advisories and must have logged a certain number of volunteer hours, and be in good academic and disciplinary standing.
School Leadership Team
Led for the past four years by founding teacher Ann Fraioli, the SLT is the decision-making body for the school that represents all important constituents. In monthly meetings, the SLT brings together parents, staff, administrators, students and community-based organizations to discuss and make policy, plan school-wide events, and approve the school’s annual budget.
To volunteer or learn more about our SLT, email Ann Fraioli at afraioli(at)nyharborschool.org
Senior Awards
In addition to the standard Valedictorian and Salutatorian awards for the top two academic students in the senior class, New York Harbor School presents seniors with three awards that help establish norms and traditions of what we value. These awards were named after the first recipients, students in our Founding Class.
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Medel Captain’s Award – Named for 2007 graduate Janette Medel, this award signifies “excellence in maritime studies.” Janette was a recent immigrant to the US from Mexico when she entered Harbor School, and she went on to study at SUNY Maritime College.
Tanasia Swift, the 2008 recipient, is studying marine biology at SUNY Southhampton. -
Melendez Stewardship Award – Named for 2007 graduate Jose Melendez, this is annually awarded to the student who best “embodies the skills and ethic of stewardship.” Jose is currently in the Coast Guard.
Raymond Garcia, the 2008 recipient, is studying environmental science at SUNY Southhampton. -
Torres Cup – Named for 2007 graduate Victor Torres, this cup is the most prestigious award given at NY Harbor School. It is presented annually to the student who quietly and without recognition has gone about the important work of exhibiting excellence in character and academics. The motto “in humble tasks we serve her best” comes from Murray’s summer camp Pasquaney. Victor, for whom the cup is named, is a sophomore at Cornell University.
He held the cup for a year and passed it on in 2008 to its second recipient, Mayra Julian, a freshman at Skidmore College.
Juniors joke during a break of their Harbor adaptation of "The Odyssey" on Governors Island.
