Quick Facts
Opened in September 2005 with 111 students in 9th grade, FHS will add a grade each year for four years as it grows to capacity. FHS currently serves a diverse population of students—predominantly Hispanic and African-American—from around Manhattan. Over 80% of the students are eligible for Free Lunch.
During the 2005-2006 school year, speakers have included South African Constitutional Court Judge Albie Sachs, NAACP Lawyer Vanita Gupta, Holocaust Survivors Sally Frishberg and Reis Vanderpool, filmmakers Whitney Dow and Marco Williams, and New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein (twice!).
The Four Themes: Identity, Caring and Responsibility, Decision-making, and Choosing to Participate
The 4R’s: Rigor, Relevance, Respect, and Relationships
Facing History’s interdisciplinary approach to teaching history incorporates historical texts, literature, and art. The humanities course at FHS is therefore the anchor to the partnership. In-depth historical study is combined with literature from and about each period. Thanks to a wonderful partnership with Working Playground, each class also uses poetry and visual and applied arts to examine the themes and topics covered in the course.
Facing History’s support includes bringing a diverse selection of guest speakers to the school for in-depth classroom visits and conversations with students. Facing History’s network of speakers provides the students with access to dynamic individuals with amazing, inspiring stories.
As in many small schools, FHS has included Advisory Group as part of its curriculum. This daily course provides students with advising on academic, social and emotional issues while focusing on developing skills that promote community, social and moral development. Facing History’s deep curricular resources on topics including ostracism and bystander behavior have been especially helpful in creating this course.
FHS graduation requirements embody the values of the school. In addition to the state mandated regents exams, the school also requires completion of a 9th–11th Grade Habits of Learning Portfolio that demonstrates academic achievement and skills, plus a final Choosing to Participate Senior Project and Portfolio that asks students to apply their skills through a community project. The graduation requirements also reflect the dual assessment strategies of the school.