Brooklyn Latin School
Encyclopedia
The Brooklyn Latin School is a specialized high school
in New York City
, founded in 2006.
The ideals governing Brooklyn Latin are borrowed largely from the Boston Latin School
, and popular society's Ideals. John Elwell, the school's founder, and Jason Griffiths, its headmaster, administer the school and monitor the school .
Since Brooklyn Latin is a specialized high school, one must pass the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test
(SHSAT) in order to be admitted to the school. It is the second specialized high school in Brooklyn (along with Brooklyn Technical High School
) and has the distinction of being the only specialized high school in which students adhere to a dress code
. The school color, purple, reflects the preference of Roman nobility, who wore robes dyed in that color
and is also the school color of the Boston Latin School, another borrowed trait.
In disciplines such as English and History, there is a focus on classical studies, and all students will receive a grounding in literary and historical traditions before graduating. Latin instruction begins during the first year of instruction and continues throughout.
. The mission of International Baccalaureate aligns with and expands the vision of The Brooklyn Latin School. In particular, IB has translated its mission into a Learner Profile of ten characteristics (inquiring, thoughtful, expressive, knowledgeable, principled, open-minded, caring, balanced, risk-taking and reflective) that reflect the ideals of personal responsibility and moral integrity on which The Brooklyn Latin School was founded.
In addition, participation in IB coursework benefits students in the college admission process by allowing them to conduct college-level work throughout their high-school careers. Universities around the globe recognize the rigor and value of an IB education, and IB Diploma holders are widely considered more prepared for the challenges of collegiate life than their peers, even those who have completed equitable Advanced Placement work. In 2003, applicants to major universities throughout the U.S. were accepted at an average rate of at least 20% higher than applicants with no IB experience. Many universities will also award academic credit for successful examination results in specific subject areas or after completion of the full IB Diploma.
Founders' Day is May 22.
That they may enjoy these advantages, Brooklyn Latin School students must take part in declamation. In declamation, students must memorize a passage from a text, such as Dante's Commedia, and then declaim it before the faculty and fellow students. Each year, four in-class declamations are held in English and History, with an additional four public declamations being held for students who wish to audition to declaim before the entire Brooklyn Latin School community.
The last of these public declamations is Prize Declamation. Being selected as the declaimer for Prize Declamation is one of the highest honors The Brooklyn Latin School bestows. Activities such as these assure that students learn to speak clearly and with confidence, and it follows Cicero's advice that the one crucial ingredient to becoming an eloquent speaker is practice.
Specialized High Schools of New York City
The specialized high schools of New York City are selective public high schools, established and run by the New York City Department of Education to serve the needs of academically and artistically gifted students...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, founded in 2006.
The ideals governing Brooklyn Latin are borrowed largely from the Boston Latin School
Boston Latin School
The Boston Latin School is a public exam school founded on April 23, 1635, in Boston, Massachusetts. It is both the first public school and oldest existing school in the United States....
, and popular society's Ideals. John Elwell, the school's founder, and Jason Griffiths, its headmaster, administer the school and monitor the school .
Since Brooklyn Latin is a specialized high school, one must pass the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test
Specialized High Schools Admissions Test
The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test is an examination administered to eighth and ninth grade students residing in New York City and used to determine admission to all but one of the city's Specialized High Schools.The results come in February. The test is given in the autumn for admission...
(SHSAT) in order to be admitted to the school. It is the second specialized high school in Brooklyn (along with Brooklyn Technical High School
Brooklyn Technical High School
Brooklyn Technical High School, commonly called Brooklyn Tech or just Tech, and also administratively as High School 430, is a New York City public high school that specializes in engineering, math and science and is the largest specialized high school for science, technology, engineering, and...
) and has the distinction of being the only specialized high school in which students adhere to a dress code
School uniform
A school uniform is an outfit—a set of standardized clothes—worn primarily for an educational institution. They are common in primary and secondary schools in various countries . When used, they form the basis of a school's dress code.Traditionally school uniforms have been largely subdued and...
. The school color, purple, reflects the preference of Roman nobility, who wore robes dyed in that color
Tyrian purple
Tyrian purple , also known as royal purple, imperial purple or imperial dye, is a purple-red natural dye, which is extracted from sea snails, and which was possibly first produced by the ancient Phoenicians...
and is also the school color of the Boston Latin School, another borrowed trait.
Course of study
Unlike nearly all other specialized high schools, Brooklyn Latin has a strong focus on the humanities and classics. All students are required to take four years of English, History, Latin and a modern foreign language. The Brooklyn Latin School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) school and offers the IB Diploma and its mandatory classes. All classes regularly hold Socratic Seminars, in which students lead roundtable question-and-answer discussions, and all students take part in declamation (public speaking) exercises.In disciplines such as English and History, there is a focus on classical studies, and all students will receive a grounding in literary and historical traditions before graduating. Latin instruction begins during the first year of instruction and continues throughout.
IB at TBLS
The Brooklyn Latin School is the only specialized high school in New York City that has implemented the IB Diploma ProgrammeIB Diploma Programme
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16–19that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognised by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by...
. The mission of International Baccalaureate aligns with and expands the vision of The Brooklyn Latin School. In particular, IB has translated its mission into a Learner Profile of ten characteristics (inquiring, thoughtful, expressive, knowledgeable, principled, open-minded, caring, balanced, risk-taking and reflective) that reflect the ideals of personal responsibility and moral integrity on which The Brooklyn Latin School was founded.
In addition, participation in IB coursework benefits students in the college admission process by allowing them to conduct college-level work throughout their high-school careers. Universities around the globe recognize the rigor and value of an IB education, and IB Diploma holders are widely considered more prepared for the challenges of collegiate life than their peers, even those who have completed equitable Advanced Placement work. In 2003, applicants to major universities throughout the U.S. were accepted at an average rate of at least 20% higher than applicants with no IB experience. Many universities will also award academic credit for successful examination results in specific subject areas or after completion of the full IB Diploma.
Nomenclature
Because Brooklyn Latin is a school based on Greco-Roman ideals, many Latin names are used instead of commonplace school terms. Below is a list of some Brooklyn Latin nomenclature:- Recitation - Period
- Latrina - Bathroom
- Atrium - Hallway
- Palaestra - Gymnasium
- Conclave Cognitionibus - Study Hall
- Discipuli - Students
- Magister - Male Teacher
- Magistra - Female Teacher
- Magistri - Teachers (in general)
Clubs and activities
- Latin Team
- Medical Club
- Dance Club
- Sports Committee
- Brooklyn Latin Culture Club
- Student Government
- Service Club
- Global Awareness Club
- Oral History Project (in partnership with StoryCorps, starting Oct. '06)
- Reading Buddies (working with the elementary students in PS 147)
- Anime Club
- Art Studio
- Drama club
- Garbage Pick-Up Club (GPC)
- Debate Club
- Museum Club
- DASHN Club
- Newspaper Club
- Law Club
- Web Design/Technology Club
- Skating club
- Writing club
Athletics
- Basketball (after school)
- Movement/Dance (in partnership with Mark Morris) (after school)
- Yoga & Pilates and Physical Education
- Soccer
- Cross Country
- Stoked (Skateboarding)
Tradition
A standing tradition of the Brooklyn Latin school would be the extensive trips that take place. In freshman year, the students go to Boston to visit their sister school and to enjoy themselves as well. Any newly employed magistri are also asked to go. When senior year arrives, the students head to Italy and roam from its northern reigns to its south.Founders' Day
Each year, The Brooklyn Latin School celebrates Founders' Day to recognize the hard work of those individuals and partner organizations - magistri, discipuli, staff, parents, Replications, Inc., Boston Latin School - who have made and continue to make our school's formative years a success. Founders' Day reminds us in The Brooklyn Latin School community of our roots, and it inspires us to live up to our tradition of excellence.Founders' Day is May 22.
Public Declamation
The Brooklyn Latin School subscribes to the classical belief that to be a leader in any field, academic or otherwise, one needs to be well-spoken. As Cicero notes in De Oratore, mastering the art of speech involves mastering all of the arts. Those trained to speak well possess sharper memories, better writing skills, and more expansive areas of expertise.That they may enjoy these advantages, Brooklyn Latin School students must take part in declamation. In declamation, students must memorize a passage from a text, such as Dante's Commedia, and then declaim it before the faculty and fellow students. Each year, four in-class declamations are held in English and History, with an additional four public declamations being held for students who wish to audition to declaim before the entire Brooklyn Latin School community.
The last of these public declamations is Prize Declamation. Being selected as the declaimer for Prize Declamation is one of the highest honors The Brooklyn Latin School bestows. Activities such as these assure that students learn to speak clearly and with confidence, and it follows Cicero's advice that the one crucial ingredient to becoming an eloquent speaker is practice.