Queens High School for the Sciences
Encyclopedia
The Queens High School for the Sciences at York College (commonly called QHSSYC or just QHSS), a New York City public high school that specializes in mathematics
and science
, admits students based on their scores on the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test
.
In 2011, U.S. News & World Report
published QHSSYC as the 82nd best "Gold Medal" high school in the United States, and the 32nd best math and science high school in the US. The school is operated by the New York City Department of Education
. It consistently ranks among the best schools in New York City
in graduation rate, Regents test
scores, and attendance. In its most recent progress report, the New York City Department of Education assigned it the highest possible grade of "A".
QHSSYC is a member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology
(NCSSSMST).
Queens High School for the Sciences places an emphasis on the science
s and mathematics
as part of its college-preparatory curriculum. It is not uncommon for students to be one or two years advanced in mathematics or science. Most students finish all of the required high-school mathematics courses at the end of their sophomore or even freshman year. Often before graduating, students have already taken college-level classes including calculus, some of them even have enough college credit to skip the first year of college.The specialized curriculum provided by the school helps students pursue potential careers in medicine or other fields of science.
Mentorships and internships assist students in developing research projects, and research advisers help them in science, mathematics and technology fairs and symposia throughout the U.S.
The curriculum is Regents
-based. The passing percentages on the New York State Regents exams are among the highest in the state.
As a New York City Department of Education high school, QHSSYC requires 44 credits to graduate with a New York State Regents diploma. Requirements for the Advanced Regents Diploma are set by New York State.
QHSSYC has one of the highest attendance rates of high schools in New York City.
Many of the graduating students have gone on to top-tier colleges, such as Harvard and Columbia
, and earning scholarships to St. John's University. Additionally, many seniors prefer CUNY schools and Maculay Honors.
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
and science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
, admits students based on their scores on 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...
.
In 2011, U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is an American news magazine published from Washington, D.C. Along with Time and Newsweek it was for many years a leading news weekly, focusing more than its counterparts on political, economic, health and education stories...
published QHSSYC as the 82nd best "Gold Medal" high school in the United States, and the 32nd best math and science high school in the US. The school is operated by 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 consistently ranks among the best schools 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...
in graduation rate, Regents test
Regents Examinations
Regents High School examinations, sometimes shortened to the Regents, are mandatory in New York State through the New York State Education Department, designed and administered under the authority of the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York...
scores, and attendance. In its most recent progress report, the New York City Department of Education assigned it the highest possible grade of "A".
QHSSYC is a member of the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology
National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology
National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology is an alliance of specialized high schools in the United States whose focus is advanced preparatory studies in mathematics, science and technology....
(NCSSSMST).
Academics
The school collaborates with York College in an agreement that allows the high school students to use college facilities such as the library, cafeteria, and gymnasium. It is housed on the second floor of the college's science building.Queens High School for the Sciences places an emphasis on the science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
s and mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
as part of its college-preparatory curriculum. It is not uncommon for students to be one or two years advanced in mathematics or science. Most students finish all of the required high-school mathematics courses at the end of their sophomore or even freshman year. Often before graduating, students have already taken college-level classes including calculus, some of them even have enough college credit to skip the first year of college.The specialized curriculum provided by the school helps students pursue potential careers in medicine or other fields of science.
Mentorships and internships assist students in developing research projects, and research advisers help them in science, mathematics and technology fairs and symposia throughout the U.S.
The curriculum is Regents
Regents Examinations
Regents High School examinations, sometimes shortened to the Regents, are mandatory in New York State through the New York State Education Department, designed and administered under the authority of the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York...
-based. The passing percentages on the New York State Regents exams are among the highest in the state.
As a New York City Department of Education high school, QHSSYC requires 44 credits to graduate with a New York State Regents diploma. Requirements for the Advanced Regents Diploma are set by New York State.
QHSSYC has one of the highest attendance rates of high schools in New York City.
Many of the graduating students have gone on to top-tier colleges, such as Harvard and Columbia
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, and earning scholarships to St. John's University. Additionally, many seniors prefer CUNY schools and Maculay Honors.