Our Insights
What’s Special
English as a New Language (ENL) & Transitional program in Spanish & Chinese
The Downside
Some classes are large
Lower East Side Prep (LESP) serves students in grades 9 to 12 who are learning English and have lived in the United States fewer than four years. It offers strong bilingual programs in Spanish and Chinese, along with a variety of after-school activities and school-wide events.
The school has a traditional tone and is safe, based on students’ and teachers’ responses to the NYC School Survey. Attendance is strong, and students, parents, and teachers give the school high ratings. City data shows that most students make progress, no matter their starting point. Roughly half the students come from Spanish-speaking countries and about one-third speak Chinese.
The school has a range of technology, including a media center with iPads and wireless computer labs. Students can engage in MOUSE Squad Certification, Maker Bot 3D printing, computer science, Cricut Design, and Photoshop lessons. The school offers Advanced Placement classes too.
Each student is assigned a guidance counselor who tracks their progress and helps with class planning. Course credits can also be earned by attending classes at night and after-school, on Saturday, or through independent study. Class size ranges from 25 to 32 students.
Teachers encourage discussion, reading, writing, and teamwork. In English-as-a-New-Language classes, students engage in fun, educational activities like matching games and learning about each other. In a math class, students might play a matching game where they wear nametags, for example, one might say "Y-intercept," and they have to find the student wearing the tag with the correct definition.
CAMBA, a nonprofit, runs the Learning to Work program to help students catch up on school credits and graduate. They can earn money while gaining skills and work experience for 5-20 hours a week. Interns work at botanical gardens, zoos, soup kitchens, restaurants, and helping thier own teachers as peer tutors.
Students go on field trips, exploring neighborhoods and visiting places like the Whitney Museum, El Museo del Barrio and the Tenement Museum. They plan trips and manage budgets.
Lower East Side Prep offers lots of support for students. There are staff available for counseling including guidance and college counselors, a social worker, and a substance abuse prevention and intervention specialist. The guidance staff speaks Chinese and English. Twice a year lawyers visit the school to provide free legal help to families.
The school, which shares a building with The School for Global Leaders, offers chess, web design, dance, SAT prep, sports and more. A complete list of clubs is available on the school website. Thanksgiving dinner, talent shows, and an overnight trip to YMCA Camp Mason bring the school community together. (Lydie Raschka, web reports and interview, August 2024)
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School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Advanced Courses
Calculus
Computer Science
Physics
Not offered in 2021-21Advanced Foreign Language
AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science
AP/IB Math or Science
Music
Not offered in 2021-21College Readiness
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLower East Side Preparatory High School (A44A)
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Mandarin, Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Chinese Language and Culture, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP United States Government and Politics
Boys PSAL teams
Basketball, Soccer
Coed PSAL teams
Table Tennis
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
145 Stanton Street
Manhattan
NY
10002
Trains: , to Grand St; , , , to Essex St
Buses: B39, M103, M14A-SBS, M14D-SBS, M15, M15-SBS, M21, M22, M8, M9
Contact
Other Details
This school shares a building with the School for Global Leaders
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