9COLUMBIA SECONDARY SCHOOL

FOR MATH, SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

a public school, community, and university partnership

Upper School Admissions

Open House

9COLUMBIA SECONDARY SCHOOL

FOR MATH, SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

a public school, community, and university partnership

Why CSS Upper School?Saturday, September 12, 2009

9COLUMBIA SECONDARY SCHOOL

FOR MATH, SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

a public school, community, and university partnership

1. Proven leadership; demonstrated capacity to build excellent school

2. Success of MS good predictor of HS success

3. Continue to build on the unique elements of the CSS experience

4. CSS school size offers better/more personalized educational opportunity

5. Uniqueness and quality of our Academic Programs/Experiences

6. Great physical plant and location

7. Special educational and social opportunities that our growth confers

8. Opportunity to take courses at Ivy league Columbia (intellectual and financial benefits)

9. CSS academic experience likely to be distinguish CSS graduates from others -advantages for selective college admissions and for marketplace

Outstanding Leadership TeamPRINCIPAL: Dr. Jose Gabriel Maldonado-Rivera

• Holds graduate degrees in Ecology, Biology, and Science Education from Columbia University and UC Santa Barbara.

• Professor of Science Education at Columbia University

• Former Chair of Education Department, Hartwick College

• Winner of 2 State/National Teaching Awards

• Successfully raised more than $2.1 million in grants /donations

Effective Leadership* (*DOE metrics)

1. Principal’s Performance Review – 31/31

2. School Quality Review –Well developed (highest possible rating)

28/32 categories highest possible rating

3. School Progress Report – Y3 (2008-9) - 96.4% •Top 6% of the city (performance bonus for P and AP)

•Top new screened school in the city

•Top 3 of all new middle schools in city*

•Top 25 of all middle schools in city*In every category higher than Bronx Science, Stuyvesant, Bard, Beacon, CUNY MSE, Brooklyn Tech

Effective Leadershipfocus on developing extraordinary

Liberal Arts and Science educational program

1. Most diverse STEM curriculum in the city

2. Most diverse enrichment Electives & Creative arts curriculum in the city

3. One-in-the nation Philosophy and Engineering programs

4. Comprehensive fitness program for all students

5. Accelerated MS and HS course offerings – mixture of AP and Liberal Arts courses

6. Successfully negotiating articulation with CU undergraduate courses

7. Built high hiring capacity = superb faculty team

A Talented &

DiverseFaculty

• Dynamic, multi-disciplinary, entrepreneurial, adventurous spirit• International study or life experience• Mixture of experienced and highly promising novice faculty• 4 PhD’s, 3 PhD in progress, 19 MA, 2 MA in process• 5 National/State Teaching Awardees in Science and Mathematics

9COLUMBIA SECONDARY SCHOOL

FOR MATH, SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

STEM Program

Math Science Engineering Philo 6th Math 1 Sc 1 Engineering 1 Argument/Inquiry

P4C

7th Math 2 Sc 2 – Living Env. Regents Engineering 2 Argument/ Inquiry P4C

8th Algebra 1 / Geometry

Sc 3 – Earth Science Regents Engineering 3 Argument/ Inquiry P4C

9th Geometry/Algebra 2-Trig

Regents Physics Engineering 4 Bioethics/Philosophyof Science

10th PreCalculusAP CalculusIntro Statistics

AP BiologyChemistry-RegentsAP Environmental Sc

Engineering 5 Philo (3)

11th AP CalculusAP Statistics

AP PhysicsAP ChemistryAP Environmental Sc

Engineering 6 Philo (3)

12th AP Statistics /CU Math

CU Science CU Engineering CU Philo

9COLUMBIA SECONDARY SCHOOL

FOR MATH, SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

Humanities Program

ELA Social Studies SLA 6th ELA I SS I - Geography SLA I Novice/Adv

7th ELA II SS II – World History SLA II Novice/Adv

8th ELA III SS III – US History SLA III Novice/Adv

9th American Literature World History SLA IV Novice/Adv

10th British Literature AP US History SLA V Intro / Adv

11th Contemporary Literature / AP US Literature

Regional / Thematic History Anthropology / AP Political Science

SLA VI / AP Spanish/ Latin American Literature

12th AP LiteratureCU Literature

CU History/Sociology/Pol itical Science/Anthropology

AP SpanishLatin American Literature CU Spanish

Our Peer Specialized High SchoolsBasic Metrics

Indicator CSS Bronx Science Brooklyn Tech Stuyvesant CUNY MSE

Enrollment 400(96)

2785(696)

4590(1148)

3245(811)

471(118)

Socioeconomic Diversity 58% 15% 38% 34% 23%

Ethnic Diversity Black

21 4.1 12.8 2 17

Hispanic 50 7.5 8 3 33

White/Asian 29 88 79 95 50

Progress Report

96.4/100 73.9/100 65.5/100 68.9/100 74.9

School Environment

12.4/15 8.2/15 5.6/15 9.1/15 10.4/15

Stud. Performance

24/25 23.1/25 19.4/25 21.8/25 20.9/25

Stud Progress 60/60 40 6/60 38 5/60 38/60 43 6/60

Our Peer Specialized High SchoolsAcademic Features

Indicator CSS Bronx Science Brooklyn Tech Stuyvesant CUNY MSE

Program Highlights

PhilosophyEngineering

CAPFitness

ElectivesJ-Term

See website See website See website See website

Partnership with College/University Columbia

University

SUNYAlbany

Columbia Univ.NYU

Rockefeller Univ.Cornell Univ.CUNY, others

Polytechnic Univ.Long Island Univ.Hunter CollegeNYC CollegeCity College

NY Law SchoolNYU

Columbia Univ.Hunter College

Stony BrookJohn Jay College

City College

City College

AP Courses 18& CU hundreds

undergrad classes35 30 35 0

Languages 1, plus 6 others at CU

8 4 10 2

Our Peer Screened High SchoolsBasic Metrics

Indicator CSS Beacon Bard

Enrollment 400(96)

1130(282)

543(135)

Socioeconomic Diversity 58% 20% 27%

Ethnic Diversity (%)

Black 21 17 17

Hispanic 50 22 17

White/Asian 29 61 66

Progress Report 96.4% 78.4% Data Not Available

School Environment 12.4/15 12/15

Stud. Performance 24/25 12.6/25

Stud. Progress 60/60 49.8/60

Our Peer Screened High SchoolsAcademic Features

Indicator CSS Beacon Bard

Program Highlights Philosophy (4)Engineering (4)

CAP (20), Electives(20)

Fitness (12)J-Term (3)

College Trip (1)

Study Abroad ProgramSpecial Arts Program (5) See school web site

Partnership with College/University Columbia University

NYUJohn Jay CollegeHunter CollegeFordham Univ.

Teachers CollegeCity College

Bard CollegeBard College at Simon’s Rock

Rockefeller University

AP CoursesCollege Level Courses

19& CU undergrad classes

5& College classes (see above)

12&BHSEC College Program

Languages 1, others at CU 3 3

An accelerated – early college coreHigh School Curriculum

Core Courses

1. English Language Arts (2, 2AP, CU ug)2. Mathematics (3, 5 AP, CU ug)3. Science (3, 5 AP, CU ug)4. Social Studies (2, 4 AP, CU ug)5. Engineering (3, CU ug)6. Spanish (3, 1 AP, CU ug)7. Philosophy (3, CU ug)

Enrichment Courses

8. Fitness Program (12)9. Creative Arts (20, 1 AP)10. Electives (20 plus CU undergrad offerings)

An accelerated – early college coreHigh School Curriculum

AP COURSE OFFERINGS (planned)• Art History

• Biology, Chemistry, Physics B, Environmental Science

• Calculus AB, Computer Science A, Statistics

• Microeconomics

• English Language, English Literature

• Comp Government & Politics, U.S. Government & Politics, Human Geography

• Psychology

• Spanish Language, Spanish Literature

• U.S. History, World History

An unique enrichment curriculum expanded to include CU’s vast undergrad offerings

1. Fitness for all students (20 courses)

2. Electives (20 plus CU undergrad)3. Creative Arts Program (20 plus CU undergrad)4. JUNE mini-semester

a. Travel abroad program (Europe, Asia, Africa, College trip)b. Sustainability themed courses

c. Community Service – individual/groupd. Research internships at Columbia University

The most DiverseElectives

Curriculumin NYC

Electives (18)1. Advanced Math: Geometry2. Astronomy3. Environmental Science4. What shall we do with the Negro? African-American History in NYC5. Architecture Design Studio6. Neuroscience & Me: How Does My Brain Works?7. Biodiversity of New York8. Genetics: How our genes MAKE us!9. Imagination and Logic10. Journalism I11. Bioethics12. Logic Puzzles and Real Logic13. Sustainability14. The People called it Ragtime…15. What fights are worth fighting? – Student Government16. Periodismo I (Spanish Journalism I)17. Latin Dance and Cultural Discovery18. War

An incredibly diverse Creative Arts Program

Wood shop - ConstructionPhotography Macedonian Art

Multimedia Design Popular Music

Famous Artists Murals and GraffitiNYC Museums Environmental Art

Art/Science of ColorScreenwriting Cooking

Latin Cinema and MTVDigital Film

TheaterScience Fiction Film

Integrated ART Signature spacesJournalism - Periodismo

Movies 2cb4ur13

Real Fitness for all Students

1. Basketball2. Cycling3. Volleyball4. Badminton5. Street Hockey6. Swimming7. Soccer8. Jogging9. Ultimate Frisbee10. Hiking11. Yoga12. Weightlifting

A Unique Study Abroad &

Field Expeditions Program

June mini-semester1) International Program

6th grade - Island Biodiversity -Puerto Rico 7th grade – Ecology and History of Mexico8th grade – Diversity and History of N. Eastern seaboard

2) Themed Concept Courses6th grade –Water 7th grade – Energy8th grade – Food

3) City Themed courses6th grade - Architecture in the City7th grade - Nature in the City8th grade - History in the City

A Unique Study Abroad &

Field Expeditions Program

June mini-semester1) International Travel Abroad Program

9h grade - Europe 10th grade –Africa11th grade – College Trips12th grade – Asia/Australia

2) Sustainability themed courses9th -Transportation10th - Health11th - College Trip12th - Air/Land

3) Community Service – individual/group4) Research internships at Columbia University

Outstanding Physical Plant

Indoor fitness facilities

• 2 gyms• 1 pool• Green rooftop• 18 classrooms• Cafeteria (fits 250)• Restored auditorium with new

light-sound system (fits 400)

Outstanding Physical Plant

Outdoor recreation facilities

• Jogging circuit, hiking circuit, baseball, volleyball, tennis, handball, basketball courts• Ample green space: Morningside Park, Central Park• Proximity to Columbia University• Access to public transportation (A,B,C,D and 1 lines)

Outstanding Physical Plant

Labs and Instructional Technology

• All classrooms – equipped with smart board/projector• 4 Science Labs including 2 Engineering labs• $2.5 million Bio/Chem Lab suite construction• 18 Dedicated classrooms (nests)• Language lab with 22 minilaptops• 2:1 Student – Laptop ratio

Concerns about Space Issues

1. Enough space in P.S.125 until 11th grade – assuming current P.S.125 enrollment (300)

2. Building capacity (900)3. High quality classrooms, natural sunlight 4. Rooftop – potential conversion (greenhouse laboratory)5. Ideal location, access to public transportation,to city’s cultural/educational resources

6. Ideal proximity to Morningside Park/Central Park7. Superb outdoor fitness/recreational facilities 8. Excellent physical plant - two gyms and indoor pool9. Proximity to CU allow us to use university’s library and spaces

Columbia Secondary School is unique

1. Ethnic Diversity – the most ethnically diverse of all the elite schools2. Socioeconomic diversity – a unique social experiment3. Highly selective – currently bringing in top 10% students in city4. Educational effectiveness – school performance in top 2.5%5. Leadership – top performers6. Unique-in-the-nation curriculum7. Great building ideally located for using NYC and CU as a classroom8. Access to Columbia’s undergraduate curriculum9. Established reputation – already in top 10 MS in city; rapid ascendancy for

high school likely given unique curriculum

NYC Public High Schools Admissions

Basics1. One application for all schools (except for Specialized schools)

2. YOU rank the schools which you want to apply to

3. SCHOOLS review their applicant pool and evaluate students

4. You are matched to the program/school you ranked highest on your application that also ranks you highest

5. You are offered admission to only 1 program/school (except for Specialized schools)

CSS Upper SchoolAdmissions Process

New Students:

•8th graders MUST follow DOE’s High School Admissions Process

• In order to have any chance of being invited to 9th grade in CSS you must:

a. Have cumulative middle school GPA of 90% or higherb. Test scores in Math – 4, ELA -4 (or very high 3)c. Put CSS as your 1st CHOICE

CITYWIDE catchment area

1. Submit to DOE High School Admissions Applicationput CSS as #1 option

2. Send to CSS application package:a) ELA + Math + Science state test scores (or any equivalent

standardized tests (e.g. ERB, IOWA, other state tests)

b) Middle School Grade Report card (6th and 7th grade)c) Sample essay or research report (certified by teacher to be original)

3. Wait for CSS to contact you for possible interview and admissions essay exam

Admissions Process3 steps