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Our Insights

What’s Special

Visual arts, music, dance, drama

The Downside

Many students miss school often; declining enrollment

Tucked behind the Navy Yard in Fort Greene, Susan S. McKinney is a tiny high school focused on the arts. Students audition to study dance, musical theater or visual arts, alongside their regular high school courses. The school has a Black Box Theater, art studios, music spaces, and performance opportunities that aim to help students prepare for future careers or college in the arts. 

Students take several arts classes each week. Visual arts include 2-D and 3-D projects in a digital lab. Dance and theater students have performances, and some students take part in internships or arts programs at local sites like Brooklyn Academy of Music or Girl Be Heard. Each student gets the use of a laptop throughout high school. There is a fully-equipped fitness room, a 500-seat auditorium, and Zen and recreation rooms.  

The school is much smaller than most NYC high schools. Some students struggle with attendance and keeping up with work. The school is shrinking; by 2025, enrollment had fallen to roughly a quarter of its size a decade earlier. Test scores and graduation rates are generally below citywide data. 

An afterschool program run by Beacon includes tutoring, homework help, and small clubs like visual arts, gaming, crafts, hip hop, sports, or a cosmetics club. Activities may change each year and are limited by the school’s small size. There is an open gym until 9 pm and some Saturday programs until 6 pm. McKinney is reachable by several bus lines and nearby subway stops. 

Students can join a mentorship program that offers college and career support, including college tours, workshops, advisory, and one-on-one counseling. Participants may earn up to $600. 

The school shares the building with P.S. K369 Coy L. Cox, a District 75 school for students with significant disabilities, including autism, cognitive delays, and emotional needs. They get extra support in very small classes. (Lydie Raschka, official reports, March 2026)

 

 

 

 

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School Stats

Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average

Is this school safe and well-run?

From the 2024-2025 NYC School Survey

How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
84%
82% Citywide Average
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
61%
53% Citywide Average
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
88%
84% Citywide Average
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
88%
82% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
6%
4% Citywide Average

From this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Are teachers effective?

From the 2024-25 School Quality Report

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
60%
80% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
2.0

How do students perform academically?

From the 2024-25 School Quality Guide

How many students graduate in 4 years?
80%
92% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From the 2024-25 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
130
Asian
2%
Black
71%
Hispanic
25%
White
2%
Other
1%
Free or reduced priced lunch
92%
Students with disabilities
37%
English language learners
5%

From the 2024-25 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
78%
91% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
71%
28% Citywide Average

How does this school serve special populations?

From the 2024-25 School Quality Report

How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
82%
85% Citywide Average

From the New York State 2024-2025 Assessment Database

How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
7%
19% Citywide Average
For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Programs & Admissions

From the 2024 High School Directory

Visual Arts (K42A)

Admissions Method: Audition

Program Description:

Painting, drawing, art of advertisement and design, dimensional design, art history, textile, photography, product promotion, cartoon design illustration, and sculpture.

Vocal Music (K42B)

Admissions Method: Audition

Program Description:

Theory, history, ear and vocal training, performance and beginning keyboard, songwriting, Mass Chorus, Gospel Choir, and Quartet Ensembles.

Dance (K42C)

Admissions Method: Audition

Program Description:

Foundations of ballet, jazz, and modern dance techniques, dance history, choreography, costume design, and African dance.

Drama (K42D)

Admissions Method: Audition

Program Description:

Acting, voice and diction, theater history, dramatic literature, set design, and improvisation.

75K369 D75 Inclusion Program at Dr. Susan S. McKinney Secondary School of the Arts (K42U)

Admissions Method: D75 Special Education Inclusive Services

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP United States History, Chemistry (Advanced Science)

Boys PSAL teams

Badminton, Basketball, Cross Country

Girls PSAL teams

Basketball, Cross Country

Coed PSAL teams

Double Dutch

Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

101 Park Avenue
Brooklyn NY 11205

Buses: B54, B57, B62, B67, B69


Contact

Principal: Nicole Sledge

Parent Coordinator: Carmen Vargas

Phone: 718-834-6760

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? Yes

This school shares a building with Success Academy Fort Greene Charter

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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