The Facing History School (FHS) is the result of an exciting partnership between lead partner Facing History and Ourselves, an educational non-profit, the New York City Board of Education, and the New Visions for Public Schools New Century High Schools Initiative. The educational vision of FHS uses difficult moments in history to highlight the importance of individual actions and the dangers of prejudice, challenging students to become active citizens of their communities and the world. Primary financial support of the school comes from the New York City Department of Education, supplemented by funding through New Visions from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, The Open Society Institute, and the Carnegie Instiute, and from Facing History.

Facing History and Ourselves is providing professional development to FHS, classroom materials, additional fundraising for program augmentation and technology, partnerships that augment instruction and connect the school to the community, and support for maintaining the school’s strategic vision.

The school is one of six small schools located at the Park West Educational Complex on West 50th Street in Manhattan’s Region 9. We opened our doors in September 2005 to 111 ninth graders, and we will add a grade each year until we reach capacity as a 9 – 12 high school.

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.

Crystal Gifford
Caroline Markel
Emily Walker
Kristina Wylie
Samara Shapiro

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FHS is also hiring a Director of School Development and Community Relations/Business Manager.

A qualified applicant for the Director of School Development and Community Relations will possess: a Bachelor’s degree or higher, strong interpersonal skills with diverse groups, grant-writing and organizational skills, and knowledge of budgeting and financial processes. This is a highly visible position at the Facing History School responsible for ensuring that the school is supported by the human and financial resources it needs to continue to thrive. In addition, this person manages the Facing History School’s fiscal accounts.

To learn more, email or call (212) 757-2680. Information about Facing History and Ourselves is available at www.facinghistory.org.