John Dewey High School
Encyclopedia
John Dewey High School, commonly referred to as JDHS or just Dewey is a public school in Brooklyn
, New York City
, New York
, founded and based on the educational principles of John Dewey
. It opened in the Fall of 1969 and is located at 50 Avenue X at the Gravesend
/Bensonhurst-Bath Beach border of Brooklyn. The school was also named a New American High School in 2000. The school is under the banner of the New York City Department of Education
.
It was established in 1969 and started out with only freshmen and sophomores. Gradually, the school grew to include juniors and seniors. Today, there are over 3,200 students are enrolled in the school. Though still relatively young compared to many Brooklyn public high schools, it counts as alumni many well known graduates, including producer and director Larry Charles
, filmmaker Spike Lee
, Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies
, WWE wrestler Jayson Paul
(aka JTG), scientist Robert Sapolsky
, and news correspondent Ray Suarez
.
From an academic perspective, it should be noted that the school had not made any significant progress in the past three years and was constantly threatened with closure in 2010, however, many changes and improvements have been made to keep the school alive and back to being one of the best high schools in New York City. These changes continue on today bringing much more to the school, along with the heavy support of parents and students to help the school rise back up again. In June 2011 the NYCDOE donated John Dewey High School $2 million dollars for improvements. The school will remain open.
Recently, an outside non-profit company (Institute for Student Achievement
), has been hired by the NYCDOE to lead the school out of years of low performance. It is unclear why the NYCDOE and ISA have continued to support a principal who has done so much damage to so many students from an academic perspective. The most recent NYCDOE learning survey report supports the contention that the school community no longer has faith in Principal Fried to bring about reforms in the school. The only question that remains is why such an unsuccessful leader is still kept in power by the NYCDOE.
John Dewey High School offers many electives. A student may want to take Dance classes, or Business Education classes. It also offers Technology, Home Economics, Health Careers and Occupations.
There is also a COOP program that senior students can be a part of. This program allows the students to be in the corporate world. They work one week and go to school the next.
, Hebrew Culture Club, Robotics Team, Math Club, Marine Science Club, Muslim Culture Club, Modeling Club, Model Congress Club, Sci-Fi Club, Gay-Straight Alliance Club, Soccer Club and much more.
Also, each year there are annual events throughout the campus and the school. Such as the Octoberfest, Fashion Show, Clash of the Genres (in which different music genres compete), Country Fair (where all over the school games are played, inflatable balloons, caricatures etc. also involving music and food, sports and fundraising), Field Day, Spirit Week, Blood Drive (students 16 or older have the option to donate blood to those in need), Dewey or Don't We? talent show and much more.
, which was started by Sandy Weill in 1982. The Academy of Finance prepares students for post-secondary education and careers through a theme-based, contextualized curriculum approach. Academic learning experiences are combined with hands-on work experience to help students develop the thinking and problem-solving skills so critical to postsecondary education and career success.
The Academy of Finance introduces high school students to the broad career opportunities of the financial services industry, opening the door to new options and equipping students to make sound choices for the future. One of three member programs of the National Academy Foundation, the Academy of Finance operates as a small learning community and is located in more than 275 high schools nationwide.
At John Dewey, each student is allowed to apply for the Academy of Finance. During the Sophomore year, a student who is interested in joining the Academy, gives in his or her application and waits for an interview with Academy coordinator. The Academy of Finance is only available to Juniors and Seniors who applies during their Sophomore
year.
However, starting in the 2011-2012 school year, competitive sports with other public high schools are beginning due to a majority vote towards it. It starts with a male and female soccer team and a female basketball team, cross country, and as well as cheer-leading due to the new arrival of sports. The title for the sport teams in John Dewey are named The Dewey Dragons and there is a chance of more sports being formed the year after.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, 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...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, founded and based on the educational principles of John Dewey
John Dewey
John Dewey was an American philosopher, psychologist and educational reformer whose ideas have been influential in education and social reform. Dewey was an important early developer of the philosophy of pragmatism and one of the founders of functional psychology...
. It opened in the Fall of 1969 and is located at 50 Avenue X at the Gravesend
Gravesend, Brooklyn
Gravesend is a neighborhood in the south-central section of the New York City borough of Brooklyn, USA.The derivation of the name is unclear. Some speculate that it was named after the English seaport of Gravesend, Kent. An alternative explanation suggests that it was named by Willem Kieft for the...
/Bensonhurst-Bath Beach border of Brooklyn. The school was also named a New American High School in 2000. The school is under the banner of the New York City Department of Education
New York City Department of Education
The New York City Department of Education is the branch of municipal government in New York City that manages the city's public school system. It is the largest school system in the United States, with over 1.1 million students taught in more than 1,700 separate schools...
.
It was established in 1969 and started out with only freshmen and sophomores. Gradually, the school grew to include juniors and seniors. Today, there are over 3,200 students are enrolled in the school. Though still relatively young compared to many Brooklyn public high schools, it counts as alumni many well known graduates, including producer and director Larry Charles
Larry Charles
Larry Charles is an American writer, director, and producer. He is best known as a staff writer for the American sitcom Seinfeld for its first 5 seasons, contributing some of the show's darkest and most absurd storylines...
, filmmaker Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Shelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
, Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies
Donald Margulies
Donald Margulies is an American playwright and a professor of English and Theater Studies at Yale University...
, WWE wrestler Jayson Paul
Jayson Paul
Jayson Anthony Paul is an American professional wrestler better known by the ring name JTG...
(aka JTG), scientist Robert Sapolsky
Robert Sapolsky
Robert Maurice Sapolsky is an American scientist and author. He is currently Professor of Biological Sciences, and Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences and, by courtesy, Neurosurgery, at Stanford University. In addition, he is a Research Associate at the National Museums of...
, and news correspondent Ray Suarez
Ray Suarez
Rafael Suarez, Jr. , known as Ray Suarez, is an American broadcast journalist. Suarez joined the PBS NewsHour in 1999 and became a senior correspondent for the evening news program on the PBS television network. He is also host of the international news and analysis public radio program America...
.
From an academic perspective, it should be noted that the school had not made any significant progress in the past three years and was constantly threatened with closure in 2010, however, many changes and improvements have been made to keep the school alive and back to being one of the best high schools in New York City. These changes continue on today bringing much more to the school, along with the heavy support of parents and students to help the school rise back up again. In June 2011 the NYCDOE donated John Dewey High School $2 million dollars for improvements. The school will remain open.
Recently, an outside non-profit company (Institute for Student Achievement
Institute for Student Achievement
The Institute for Student Achievement is a "high school turnaround partner" for public school districts attempting to improve high school education, particularly for at-risk students. ISA offers both a comprehensive model and, for those schools and districts whose needs are less profound, ISA...
), has been hired by the NYCDOE to lead the school out of years of low performance. It is unclear why the NYCDOE and ISA have continued to support a principal who has done so much damage to so many students from an academic perspective. The most recent NYCDOE learning survey report supports the contention that the school community no longer has faith in Principal Fried to bring about reforms in the school. The only question that remains is why such an unsuccessful leader is still kept in power by the NYCDOE.
Graduation requirements
In order to graduate from John Dewey High School, each student must take a certain amount of specific classes. For example, each student must take 16 cycles of English; 8 literature classes, 4 writing classes, 2 communication classes, and 2 elective classes. For Social Studies, each student must take 16 cycles of classes. Students need 8 Global courses, 4 American History, 2 Economic classes, and 2 Participation in Government classes. Mathematics requires 12 cycles, each student must complete 3 years of math, and must complete Math A. The Science Department requires students to take 12 cycles of Science. John Dewey also offers many foreign languages. When a student chooses his or her preferred languages, they must take the course either for 1 year (4 cycles) or for 3 years (12 cycles). Art and Music are important in the Dewey curriculum. Each student must take 2 cycles of each. Also, like in every high school, John Dewey offers health education and physical education. Each student must take 14 cycles of phys. ed. and 2 cycles of health; totaling up to 16 cycles (4 years).John Dewey High School offers many electives. A student may want to take Dance classes, or Business Education classes. It also offers Technology, Home Economics, Health Careers and Occupations.
There is also a COOP program that senior students can be a part of. This program allows the students to be in the corporate world. They work one week and go to school the next.
Clubs and Annual Events
John Dewey High School offers a large amount of clubs, such as: Anime Club, Asian Club, Art-Ink Club, Christian Culture Club, Ceramics Club, Classic Rock Club, Chess Club, Dance Club,Dewey Diversity Club,Fashion Design Club, Finance Club, Key ClubKey Club
Key Club International is the oldest and largest service program for high school students. It is a student-led organization whose goal is to teach leadership through serving others. Key Club International is a part of the Kiwanis International family of service-leadership programs...
, Hebrew Culture Club, Robotics Team, Math Club, Marine Science Club, Muslim Culture Club, Modeling Club, Model Congress Club, Sci-Fi Club, Gay-Straight Alliance Club, Soccer Club and much more.
Also, each year there are annual events throughout the campus and the school. Such as the Octoberfest, Fashion Show, Clash of the Genres (in which different music genres compete), Country Fair (where all over the school games are played, inflatable balloons, caricatures etc. also involving music and food, sports and fundraising), Field Day, Spirit Week, Blood Drive (students 16 or older have the option to donate blood to those in need), Dewey or Don't We? talent show and much more.
Race and Ethnicity
| Ethnic Group | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian or Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 32.7% | 32.9% | 33.4% |
| Black or African American | 30.5% | 29.9% | 30.6% |
| White | 17.3% | 16.1% | 14.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 19.3% | 20.8% | 20.8% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.5% |
Academy of Finance
John Dewey High School houses the "first" Academy of FinanceAcademy of Finance
The Academy of Finance was first established in 1982 by the National Academy Foundation. The Academy of Finance is one of the four member programs sponsored by the National Academy Foundation...
, which was started by Sandy Weill in 1982. The Academy of Finance prepares students for post-secondary education and careers through a theme-based, contextualized curriculum approach. Academic learning experiences are combined with hands-on work experience to help students develop the thinking and problem-solving skills so critical to postsecondary education and career success.
The Academy of Finance introduces high school students to the broad career opportunities of the financial services industry, opening the door to new options and equipping students to make sound choices for the future. One of three member programs of the National Academy Foundation, the Academy of Finance operates as a small learning community and is located in more than 275 high schools nationwide.
At John Dewey, each student is allowed to apply for the Academy of Finance. During the Sophomore year, a student who is interested in joining the Academy, gives in his or her application and waits for an interview with Academy coordinator. The Academy of Finance is only available to Juniors and Seniors who applies during their Sophomore
year.
ARISTA
ARISTA is the scholastic honor society of John Dewey High School. Applicants must have achieved an overall scholastic average of 90 or above as a student at John Dewey High School. The student must also have a record of service performed each cycle in some facility in the school. In the early decades of operation, the school offered students no letter or number grades, and there was no school-wide academic honor society.Sports
From its founding John Dewey has not fielded varsity sports teams. That lack of inter-school sports competition grew out of its educational design, meant to de-emphasize competition, winning and losing, and to encourage achievement for its own sake. The school does however have intramural athletic programs which students can take advantage of to play sports for recreation.However, starting in the 2011-2012 school year, competitive sports with other public high schools are beginning due to a majority vote towards it. It starts with a male and female soccer team and a female basketball team, cross country, and as well as cheer-leading due to the new arrival of sports. The title for the sport teams in John Dewey are named The Dewey Dragons and there is a chance of more sports being formed the year after.
Trivia
- Saul Bruckner was the Assistant Principal and a Social Studies teacher before opening Edward R. Murrow High SchoolEdward R. Murrow High SchoolEdward R. Murrow High School, is located in the Midwood section of Brooklyn, New York City, New York and is part of the New York City Department of Education....
in 1974. - The Bay 50th StreetBay 50th Street (BMT West End Line)Bay 50th Street is a local station on the BMT West End Line of the New York City Subway, located at the intersection of Bay 50th Street and Stillwell Avenue in the Gravesend neighborhood of Brooklyn. It is served by the D train at all times...
train station is right in front of the school's campus, and is part of the Adopt-a-Station program. - John Dewey High School is the only high school in the world named after John DeweyJohn DeweyJohn Dewey was an American philosopher, psychologist and educational reformer whose ideas have been influential in education and social reform. Dewey was an important early developer of the philosophy of pragmatism and one of the founders of functional psychology...
.
Notable alumni
- Imam Johari Abdul-MalikJohari Abdul-MalikJohari Abdul-Malik Winslow Seale is a convert to Islam, and has been the Director of Outreach for the Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center in Northern Virginia since June 2002....
, Imam @ Dar-Ul Hijrah - Mike Abrams, Sr. Director, Sirius XM Satellite Radio*Foxy Brown, musical artist
- Margaret ChanMargaret ChanMargaret Chan Fung Fu-chun, OBE JP is the Director-General of the World Health Organization . Chan was elected by the Executive Board of the WHO on 8 November 2006, and was endorsed in a special meeting of the World Health Assembly on the following day...
, New York City Civil Court Judge - Larry CharlesLarry CharlesLarry Charles is an American writer, director, and producer. He is best known as a staff writer for the American sitcom Seinfeld for its first 5 seasons, contributing some of the show's darkest and most absurd storylines...
, television/film writer, director, producer - Gregory CrewdsonGregory CrewdsonGregory Crewdson is an American photographer who is best known for elaborately staged scenes of American homes and neighborhoods.-Life and career:Crewdson was born in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY...
, modern artist/photographer - David Brody (Comedy Writer and Radio Producer) for Z100WHTZWHTZ — branded Z100 — is a commercial pop/contemporary hit radio radio station licensed to Newark, New Jersey serving the New York metropolitan area. The station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications...
NY - Elvis DuranElvis DuranElvis Duran is the host of the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show in New York on Z100 and in syndication on Premiere Radio Networks.Duran's show is now heard live in over 40 markets including New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Cleveland, Tampa, Syracuse, Atlanta, & Des Moines.Before his current job at...
(Elvis Duran and the Morning ShowElvis Duran and the Morning ShowElvis Duran and The Morning Show is the name of an American syndicated radio program hosted by Elvis Duran. The daily morning radio show currently airs on New York Top 40 station Z100...
) - Eric FrancisEric FrancisEric Francis is an American investigative reporter, essayist, author, editor and photojournalist...
, investigative reporter and astrologer - Elliot GoldenthalElliot GoldenthalElliot Goldenthal is an American composer of contemporary classical music. He was a student of Aaron Copland and John Corigliano, and is best known for his distinctive style and ability to blend various musical styles and techniques in original and inventive ways...
, composer - Arthur LanderArthur LanderArthur D. Lander, M.D., Ph.D. is Director of the Center for Complex Biological Systems at the University of California, Irvine.He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and is an alumnus of John Dewey High School there. He received a B.A. from Yale University and a combined M.D., Ph.D from the University...
, biologist - Spike LeeSpike LeeShelton Jackson "Spike" Lee is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983....
Actor, director, producer, screenwriter - Doris Ling-CohanDoris Ling-CohanDoris Ling-Cohan is a judge on the New York State Supreme Court, to which she was elected in 2002. Ling-Cohan was born in New York's Chinatown, the daughter of Chinese immigrants.-Education:...
, New York State Supreme Court Justice - Michael MandelMichael Mandel (economist)Michael J. Mandel is an economist and economic journalist. He is currently chief economic strategist of the Progressive Policy Institute, editor-in-chief of the news and education company Visible Economy LLC and the former chief economist of Business Week....
, Chief Economist, BusinessWeek Magazine - Donald MarguliesDonald MarguliesDonald Margulies is an American playwright and a professor of English and Theater Studies at Yale University...
, playwright - Angie MartinezAngie MartinezAngela "Angie" Martinez is an American radio personality and occasional rapper.-Radio career:Angie Martinez got her first break in radio at the age of 16 answering hot lines at the urban radio station WQHT . There she met popular DJ Funkmaster Flex, and began working as his protégé...
, radio personality - John OrtizJohn OrtizJohn Ortiz is an American actor and Artistic Director/Co-Founder of LAByrinth Theater Company.-Career:In 1993, John made his film debut as Al Pacino’s young cousin ‘Guajiro’ in Carlito’s Way. He went on to appear in over 30 films including El Cantante, Take the Lead, Before Night Falls, Amistad,...
, actor - Geoffrey OwensGeoffrey OwensGeoffrey Owens is an American actor. He currently teaches an acting class at HB Studio in New York City.-Roles:...
, actor - Colin QuinnColin QuinnColin Edward Quinn is an American stand-up comedian and writer best known for his five years in the cast of Saturday Night Live, as the sidekick/announcer of MTV's late 1980s gameshow Remote Control and as host of Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn on Comedy Central from 2002–2004.-Early years:Quinn was...
, comedian and television personality - Jayson PaulJayson PaulJayson Anthony Paul is an American professional wrestler better known by the ring name JTG...
, professional wrestler - Domenic M. Recchia, Jr.Domenic M. Recchia, Jr.Domenic M. Recchia, Jr. is an American Democratic Party politician in New York, and a member of the New York City Council from Brooklyn, representing the 47th Council District, which includes Bensonhurst, Gravesend, Coney Island and Brighton Beach....
, New York City CouncilNew York City CouncilThe New York City Council is the lawmaking body of the City of New York. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five boroughs. The Council serves as a check against the mayor in a "strong" mayor-council government model. The council monitors performance of city agencies and...
member - Ray SuarezRay SuarezRafael Suarez, Jr. , known as Ray Suarez, is an American broadcast journalist. Suarez joined the PBS NewsHour in 1999 and became a senior correspondent for the evening news program on the PBS television network. He is also host of the international news and analysis public radio program America...
, journalist and author - Michelle YeMichelle YeMichelle Ye Xuan is a Hong Kong actress. In 1999, she won the Miss Chinese International competition. Ye then signed a contract with TVB from 1999-2005. After she left TVB, She signed with Rich & Famous Talent Management Group Limited to pursue a movie career.Ye is fluent in Cantonese, English,...
, actress
External links
- John Dewey High School - Official Photography Website
- John Dewey High School - Computer Mac Lab Official Website
- John Dewey High School 40th reunion site. June 12, 2010 on campus
- John Dewey High School NYCDOE Page
- John Dewey High School alumni website
- 2011 NYC Learning Survey
- 2010 NYC Progress Report