Academy of American Studies

Academy of American Studies
Address
40-11 28th Street Long Island City, New York United States
Information
Type	Selective public high school
Established	1996
Principal	William Bassell
Faculty	36.4 FTEs
Grades	9–12
Enrollment	1021 (as of 2017-18)
Student to teacher ratio	24.1:1
Mascot	Eagles
Newspaper	The Academy Gazette
Yearbook	"Americana"
Website	www.academyofamericanstudies.com

The Academy of American Studies is a selective public high school in Long Island City, Queens, New York, which was founded in 1996 by the New York City Board of Education and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. In June 2022, the school had approximately 1200 students; it has grown over the last several years due to its popularity and recognition as a rigorous college preparatory high school where students learn in a warm, collaborative and safe environment.

The school gives preference to Queens applicants in the admissions process, and it is not to be confused with the High School of American Studies at Lehman College, a specialized high school in the Bronx. Academy of American Studies is a semi-screened school, and thus does not require students to take the SHSAT for admission.

On February 28, 2022, the school officially opened a new, state of the art building, the result of years of lobbying the DOE by student committees (The New Building Committee) and the principals. The school is now located at 40-11 28th Street Long Island City, NY 11101. The new building includes lockers for all students, state of the art science and technology labs, a full-sized library, and 30 standard classrooms, in addition to a beautiful library, a music room, an art studio, a state of the art regulation sized gymnasium, and expanded office space.. The outdoor areas include 2 handball courts, a 1/2 sized basketball court, and a reading area. The new building is four stories high plus a basement which houses the cafeteria and the music room

History and background

The Academy of American Studies opened in September 2016 as a collaboration between the Gilder Lehrman Institute and the New York City Board of Education. This school is the first Gilder Lehrman sponsored history school in the United States, and is the Flagship School of the Gilder Lehrman Institute. Academy of American Studies' founding principal was the late Michael Serber, who assumed a post at the Gilder Lehrman Institute after his retirement in 2001. He was succeeded by the late Ellen Sherman who was principal until her retirement in 2011. William Bassell became principal following Ellen Sherman, and remains in that post today. The long tenure of the principals as well as the administrative, the teaching and the guidance staffs provides the consistency crucial to the school's success.

On October 12, 2006, the Academy of American Studies celebrated its tenth anniversary. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg also attended the academy's ceremony to publicly announce that October 12 would be The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History Day in the City of New York. In 2016, a twentieth anniversary celebration was held, bringing together current and past staff and students.

Over the past decade, as the school grew in size, so did the course offerings and the extra curricular activities. There are now more than ten different AP course, nine different College Now classes and a College Advantage course. In addition, there are now twelve PSAL teams and numerous clubs.

Trips are key parts of the educational process at the school. In addition to the program of international trips, students participate in trips related to American history, including visits to Philadelphia, Gettysburg, Boston, Plymouth, and Washington, D.C. As well, classes are encouraged to take trips throughout New York City to museums, the theatre, the opera, the ballet, and the symphony.

Curriculum

Students take four years of American history, including enriched courses in American History in 9th and 10th grades, law, and Senior Thesis/Civics in eleventh and twelfth grade in addition to the courses required by New York State. Advanced Placement classes include AP European History, AP American History, AP Government and Politics, AP Macroeconomics, and AP Human Geography.

Math and Science are not slighted in the least, and students are encouraged to take four years of each. Advanced courses abound, including College Biology, AP Environmental Science, College Now Physics, College Now Chemistry, College Now Statistics, AP Calculus, and High School Calculus.

English at the school includes AP English Literature and AP English Language, as well as a series of courses across all four grades which include intensive writing as preparation for college and a reading list which includes many classics as well as modern works. Many of the newest works reflect the ongoing focus on culturally responsive and sustaining education. New electives offered beginning in the 2022-2023 school year include Fairy Tales, Banned Books, and Shakespeare. As well, several College Now classes (which carry high school and college credit) are offered in the English department.

World Languages offered are French and Spanish. The school offers three years of French and is looking forward to creating a fourth year class. Spanish currently culminates in AP Spanish Language.

AP courses are offered in many subjects, including: AP Calculus, AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, AP US History, AP European History, AP Macroeconomics, AP Human Geography, AP English Literature, AP English Language, AP Spanish Language, AP Spanish Literature, and AP US Government and Politics..

The school also offers a wide range of arts classes, which include Playwriting/Acting, Studio Art, Digital Media, Studio Are, College Now Art History and Opera Appreciation (in which students attend dress rehearsals at the Metropolitan Opera six times a year). In the 2022-2023 school year, the Academy is creating Band/Orchestra and Chorus.

Academy of American Studies offers an ENL program for approximately 40 English Language Learners and a full ICT program for approximately 120 students with IEP's. The school's total enrollment is approximately 1200.

Extracurricular activities

Aside from the rigorous academic agenda, the academy is home to many sports teams and clubs, a school newspaper, and an active student government.

Student government The student government is the center of planning many events and activities, as well as providing a voice for the student population in making progressive changes to the "culture and climate" of the school environment. They meet regularly with their advisor and monthly with the principal.

Planning and running school events and activities are this organization's chief duties. They annually plan Talent Shows and two Pep Rallies along with spirit days, school dances and other fun-unique events. For policy changes, four Student Government Representatives sit on the Principal's Consultative Council which is a monthly meeting with the Principal to discuss current issues. Also, two Representatives sit on the School Leadership Team.

Eagles in the Morning Eagles in the Morning is the academy "Radio Show" that takes place during the attendance taking period. Members of student government make key announcements every day.

The Academy Gazette The Academy Gazette is the school newspaper which is published on a seasonal basis. Students with an interest in journalism and photography are encouraged to write for the newspaper which features special interest sections as well as a sports and editorial section.

Sports The academy features seven sports teams part of the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL).

• Boys Baseball Varsity Eagles
• Boys Basketball Varsity Eagles
• Boys Varsity Bowling Eagles (Co-ed)
• Boys Volleyball Varsity Eagles
• Girls Basketball Varsity Lady Eagles
• Girls Softball Varsity Lady Eagles
• Girls Volleyball Varsity Lady Eagles
• Girls Football Varsity Lady Eagles
• Boys varsity and Junior Varsity Cross Country team
• Girls Varsity and junior Varsity Cross country team
• Girls stunt team
• Girls flag football team

Clubs The ethic and interest clubs in the school include the Debate Team, Amnesty International, Literary Magazine, Academy Gazette (school newspaper), Multicultural Club, National History Day Club, Model UN, , National Honor Society, SADD, Senior Committee. . Through the National History club, students are able to enter New York City's annual National History Day Competition.

Enrollment process

The Academy of American Studies participates in the NYCDOE's high school admissions process. Students apply through either or both of the school's programs, and admission assignments are made by the DOE. The screened program is based on academic achievement (a combination of State tests and course grades), and students are ranked in order of their academic achievement. The Education Option program is similar, except that students are placed in the top, middle, and bottom thirds of achievement city wide, and assignments are made randomly from each of those groups. Students committed to the Academy are encouraged to apply for both programs in order to maximize their chance of assignment by the DOE.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: See the Academy website at www.academyofamericanstudies.com

Notable alumni

• Jessica Ramos- New York State Senator
• Michelle Badillo - Television Writer/Actress
• Andrew Eng - Professional Baseball Umpire