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Our Insights

What’s Special

Programs in humanities, engineering, medicine, and dual language Spanish

The Downside

Many students miss a month or more of school

A. Philip Randolph is a midsize high school that offers programs in humanities, engineering and medicine, with courses tailored to each program's theme. It also has a dual language Spanish program. The school, housed in its own gothic-style building with high ceilings and natural light, has been supporting the Harlem community for more than 40 years. 

Academics & Instruction: Students have the option to take advanced courses in medical, engineering and humanities. Class examples include scientific research methods, digital electronics, and film as literature. Students may take advantage of internships, mentorship by City University of New York medical students and free college courses through City College of New York, Borough of Manhattan Community College and Touro College. 

Apart from academics, the school also offers all students a wide range of extra-curricular and athletic activities. After school activities range from musical and arts productions to STEM activities such as robotics. A. Philip Randolph offers a full range of sports including varsity football, basketball and swimming. 

Culture & Environment: Teachers provide academic, social and emotional support to students through regular check-ins. Ninth-graders have their own social worker to help students transition from middle school to high school. 

The school embraces its ethnic and cultural diversity. A faculty equity leader works with the staff to ensure that courses include a Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Education (CRSE) lens to lessons, books and other teaching materials. Students may participate in the Annual Winter Heritage Festival that celebrates the school’s diverse cultures through dance during the holiday season. The school  has a gay-straight alliance club and an African American club.

Like many schools, A. Philip is dealing with the issue of absenteeism—more than half the students miss at least a month of school—but staff are working to improve the attendance rate through a community outreach committee. 

Themes & Programs: Incoming students are invited to a six-week summer program, where they participate in daily classes to improve their mathematics, literacy and science skills. They also enjoy weekly trips to places such as the Bronx zoo and the Museum of Natural History. 

Availability of advanced courses in medicine, engineering and the humanities from grade nine help students prepare for competitive college admissions.  

Special Education & English as a New Language (ENL): A. Philip Randolph provides help for English Language Learners through standalone classes for beginners and combined classes for students transitioning, expanding and commanding proficiency levels. The school also has a dual language program that supports students towards mastery in reading, writing and speaking in both English and Spanish .

Building & Facilities: Previously home to The High School of Music and Art, the building won landmark status by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1997. Housed in one building, the school enjoys its own 1,000 seat auditorium, full sized gymnasium, weight room, spin room, computer labs and science labs.

College & Career: The school has a full time college counselor as well as paid student interns who work alongside teachers in classrooms, provide workshops, and are available to all grade levels. Free Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) prep classes for 11th graders are also provided. (Anisha Mukherjee, web reports and interview, August 2023)

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School Stats

Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average

Academics

School
Citywide
How many students graduate in 4 years?
 
81%
How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
 
55%
How many English language learners graduate in 4 years?
 
70%
Average daily attendance
 
82%
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
 
47%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school offers enough activities and services for their children's needs?
 
94%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school works to achieve the goals of their students' IEPs?
 
94%
From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide and 2020-21 NYC School Survey

Students

1266
Number of students
Citywide Average is 615

Race/Ethnicity


School
Citywide
Low-income students
 
83%
Students with disabilities
 
19%
Multilingual learners
 
14%
From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Safety & Vibe

School
Citywide
How many students were suspended?
 
2%
How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
 
75%
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
 
47%
How many students say that some are bullied at their school because of their gender or sexual orientation?
 
29%
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
 
79%
From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey and 2019-20 NY State Report Card

Faculty & Staff

School
Citywide
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
 
84%
10.8
Years of principal experience at this school
Citywide Average is 7
157
Number of students for each guidance counselor or social worker
Citywide Average is 157

Teachers’ Race/Ethnicity


How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
 
84%
Are teachers effective?
From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey, 2021-22 School Quality Guide, 2019-20 Report on School-Based Staff Demographics, 2021 Guidance Counselor Report, and this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Advanced Courses

Which students have access to advanced courses at this school? Learn more

Calculus

 
5%

Computer Science

Not offered in 2019-20

Physics

 
9%

Advanced Foreign Language

 
21%

AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science

 
13%

AP/IB Math or Science

 
4%

Music

 
27%
From unpublished, anonymized data from the 2021-22 school year provided by the New York State Education Department, brought to you by

College Readiness

School
Citywide
How many students graduate with test scores high enough to enroll at CUNY without remedial help?
 
64%
How many students take a college-level course or earn a professional certificate?
 
63%
How many students who have graduated from this high school stay in college for at least 3 semesters?
 
66%
From the 2020-21 and 2021-22 School Quality Guide
How many students filled out a FAFSA form by the end of their senior year?
 
72%
From the 2022-23 FAFSA data released by Federal Student Aid, brought you by
For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Programs & Admissions

From the 2024 High School Directory

Academic Professions (M19B)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

Liberal arts curriculum. Electives are offered in all subject areas, including technology.

The Academy of the Humanities (M19C)

Admissions Method: Screened

Program Description:

This academy offers students the opportunity to explore the liberal arts as they prepare for entry to a competitive college or university. Students take courses such as Introduction to the Humanities, Multicultural Studies, The Language of Argument, Reading and Writing New York, Dystopian Novels, AP US History, AP English Composition, and AP English Literature.

The Academy of Engineering (M19J)

Admissions Method: Screened

Program Description:

This academy offers students the opportunity to explore careers in Engineering. Students take courses as part of the national Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum which is taught at America's top secondary schools for engineering. More information about the PLTW program can be found at pltw.org.

The Academy of Medicine (M19K)

Admissions Method: Screened

Program Description:

This academy allows students to explore careers in the health professions. Students take courses such as Introduction to Health Careers, Anatomy and Physiology, Sports Medicine, and Science Research. Students may also apply to the prestigious Gateway to Medicine honors program through CCNY which offers exclusive college prep and internship experiences. Students in the Gateway program are also offered enrichment opportunities with the Sophie Davis School of Medicine within CCNY.

Dual Language Spanish Program (M19L)

Admissions Method: Screened: Language

Program Description:

Dual Language programs are designed to integrate English Language Learners with English-proficient students to receive content instruction in English and a target language. This program is open to all students regardless of interest area.

A. Philip Randolph Campus High School ACES 15:1 Program (M19Y)

Admissions Method: ASD/ACES Program

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

Spanish

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP United States History, AP World History: Modern, Calculus (Advanced Math), Chemistry (Advanced Science), Physics (Advanced Science), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)

Boys PSAL teams

Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Football, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Swimming, Volleyball, Wrestling

Girls PSAL teams

Basketball, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling

Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

443 West 135 Street
Manhattan NY 10031

Trains: 1 Line to 137th St-City College; B Line, C Line to 135th St

Buses: Bx19, Bx33, M10, M100, M101, M104, M11, M125, M2, M3, M4, M5


Contact

Principal: David Fanning

Parent Coordinator: Diana Perez

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? No

This school is in its own building.

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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