Brooklyn’s newest high school offers students an innovative approach to learning that features a diversity of educational options and the opportunity to engage with the community.
Opened in 2009, Sunset Park High School has 350 students per grade, plus about 80 special needs students. So far, only ninth and 10th grades are offered, but the school will be adding a grade a year through 12th grade. Students do not test into the school — rather, anyone can apply, though preference is given to students hailing from the local area, comprising School Districts 15 and 20, which cover — between them — neighborhoods including Sunset Park, Park Slope, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Boro Park, and parts of Bensonhurst and Kensington. Preference is also given to students who attend a school information session.
The school features an new take on traditional curriculum, including writing classes in ninth and 10th grades, focusing on global issues in 10th grade and “identity and community” the ninth.
“Students take the basic science, math, social studies, English and foreign language classes, as well as physical education,” Principal Corinne Vinal explained. “In addition, students all take ‘Drop Everything and Read,’ three times a week.” That course focuses on independent reading, with books chosen by the students.
Preparing students for their future is a key to the school’s approach on learning, stressed Vinal. A particular feature is the “advisory” courses, in which students get the chance to talk with their peers and adult advisers.
“Kids get out of their comfort zone and feel welcome in the school,” noted 10th grader Steven Perez of the twice-weekly sessions. “It’s great preparation for college.”
“It’s more about the transition from middle school to high school and high school to college,” Vinal explained. “It helps students learn the skills they need to grow academically, socially and emotionally.”
Another hallmark of the school is “cooperative learning.” Desks are not set up in rows, so that students can work together and help each other out.
There is no tracking, so students are not divided into classes based on level of skill. There are no AP or honors classes, said Vinal. In addition, the school promotes inclusion, meaning special education students attend regular classes when possible.
“Our aim is for every possible venue to have all kids included,” Vinal emphasized. “We believe they learn from one another.”
Students enjoy the nurturing, small learning environments the school has to offer, and are assigned randomly to programs that add to the standard curriculum with a specific focus.
“There is one principal and one school but three small learning communities: Visual and performing arts, business and entrepreneurship and health and human services,” explained Vinal.
All of the themed communities — selected by the community during the school’s design phase — share the same core structure, “but they look at the curriculum through a special lens,” says Vinal.
“We write our own music, create our own characters and do improvisational acting,” enthused Shanice Peters, who is in the school’s arts program.
With the school’s mission to foster “the skills necessary for students to make an impact on the community in which they live, local or global,” community outreach involves such initiatives as service learning, in which the high school students work with local elementary school students on occasions throughout the year, and engage in peer tutoring.
Students are enthusiastic about the athletic and extracurricular programs — there are 31 clubs — as well as special collaborative learning plans with community partners such as the Center for Family Life.
All the opportunities Sunset Park High School offers — including longer class hours — truly are unique to the school, and are are not replicated at other schools in the area.
“They help get us ready for college,” offered Nelson Mendez. “I think that’s pretty cool.”
“I have friends in other schools who don’t do the same stuff as us,” Perez noted.
Vinal credits the school’s innovative focus with the successes it has achieved in its short history. Average daily attendance last year, the first year the school was open, hovered in the 90 percent range.
“That’s the result of the small learning communities,” Vinal attested. “I think they result in a higher passing rate.”
Sunset Park High School [153 35th St., between Third and Fourth avenues, in Sunset Park (718) 840-1900]. Email, [email protected]. For info, visit sunsetparkhighschool.org.
