John Bowne High School
Grades: 9-12Our Insights
What’s Special
A full high school farm with plant and animal science classes
The Downside
Graduation rates have room for improvement
John Bowne High School is best known for its four-year agriculture program, the only one of its kind in New York City, but also caters to students with a range of interests. The school offers programs in law, visual arts, acting and writing, computer science, and healthcare, and an honors track in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).
Students in the agriculture program work and learn on the campus farm—a multi-acre plot of land behind the school featuring greenhouses, an orchard, a poultry house, and a large animal barn. Inside the main building there are labs for exotic animals and reptiles. Freshmen and sophomores study both plants and animals and then choose one to focus on for their last two years. The summer after freshman year, students care for their own plot of crops. In later summers, they intern at farms, veterinary clinics, or other agriculture-related sites.
In the four year STEM honors program, students take classes together in small groups. They study engineering basics, bridge design ideas, and computer science skills. They do internships and research.
In the Academy for Creative Actors and Writers, students take classes in creative writing, drama, journalism, and more. In the Law Institute, students may join mock trials, debates, and practice legal writing. The program is part of a state approved legal studies career training path.
Students participate in many competitions in science, robotics, mock trial, and writing. The school’s Air Force Junior ROTC and Future Farmers of America programs have won awards at the state and national level. Students can also take electives like fashion, acting, journalism, and cybersecurity.
Students may take advantage of tutoring and a summer program designed to help those about to take their first Advanced Placement (AP) class to improve their writing and notetaking skills. The school opens early so students can play basketball or table tennis, an incentive to get to school on time.
The school has its challenges. Enrollment has declined over the past decade and the graduation rate is below the citywide average. Some students have expressed concern about safety and bullying in their responses to the annual NYC School Survey.
Special education: Bowne offers team teaching classes (with a mix of general and special education students) as well as small self-contained classes. Bowne serves a large number of English language learners and provides Transitional Bilingual Education in Chinese and Spanish. (Lydie Raschka, official reports and news articles, March 2026)
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School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Teachers’ Race/Ethnicity
College and Career Readiness
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryAcademy for Creative Actors and Writers (Q14A)
Program Description:
A.C.A.W. is a vibrant community of talented actors and writers and their teachers. This program offers students opportunities to explore their gifts through creative and academic writing courses, workshops, literary experiences, drama, and performance.
Animal/Plant Agriscience Institute (Q14B)
Program Description:
Nationally recognized, rigorous, hands-on program is for students interested in careers in Veterinary Medicine, Animal Production, Aquaculture, Marine Science, Floriculture, Crop Production and Wildlife/Conservation. The facilities include greenhouses, exotic avian lab, animal barn, poultry, reptile/amphibian lab, 4 acre farm. Students gain specific skills within agricultural industries, and are provided work internships within their chosen field of study, including one mandatory summer on farm. Students receive Career and Technical Endorsement upon completion of program requirements
John Bowne Visual Arts Institute (Q14C)
Program Description:
The John Bowne Visual Arts Institute provides students with the opportunity to foster their creativity and artistic talents in an immersive arts program and prepares students for post-secondary studies in the visual arts. Upon culmination of this program, students will earn ten credits in the visual arts, and will be prepared to take the New York City Commencement Exam in the Visual Arts. Students will also receive a Chancellor's Endorsed Diploma in the Arts. Following the first year Studio Art and Drawing course, students can select either the two-dimensional or three-dimensional design track. The two-dimensional track includes courses such as Drawing and Painting, and Graphics and Portfolio 1. The three-dimensional track includes courses such as Three-dimensional Design and Sculpture, Sculpture 2 and Portfolio 1. In the senior year, students in both tracks will take Advanced Placement Art & Design, Portfolio 2, and Art History. The Visual Arts Institute provides students with the opportunity for international trips, art contests, art festivals, and community activities. This program gives a priority to students who live in the zoned area for up to 50% of the seats.
John Bowne Law Institute (Q14D)
Program Description:
The John Bowne Law Institute is a wide-ranging four-year program that prepares students with the exposure and skills needed to succeed in their post-secondary goals. The primary goal of the Law Institute is to promote civic competence for each and every student as well as produce educated, well-rounded young adults. This program is a four-year course of study designed for students interested in gaining knowledge of the foundation of the law system. Students are offered the opportunity to choose a specialty track of Civil or Criminal Law. These courses are project-based and designed to engage students and promote critical thinking. Students will follow a course sequence based on the specialty track of their choice that includes courses in Introduction to Law, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Law Enforcement I and II, Introduction to Civil Law, Family & Juvenile Law, Constitutional Law, Legal Studies, and Legal Research and Writing. Students will also be provided the opportunity to participate in activities such as Moot Court, Mock Trial, Law Internships, and College/University and Law School visits. We offer the first Legal Studies CTE certified program in New York State.
John Bowne Computer Science Institute (Q14E)
Program Description:
The John Bowne Computer Science Institute provides students with the opportunity to foster their creativity, computational thinking, collaborative learning, and digital fluency in an immersive computer science program designed to prepare students for relevant post-secondary studies in a variety of fields. Upon culmination of this program, students will earn various Career Technical Education (CTE) certificates through the Precision Exams helping them enter the technology workforce or post-secondary studies. During their time in the program, students will experience several aspects of computer science: human-computer interaction, problem solving, web design (HTML, CSS), programming (Scratch, EdWare, Snap, Java Script, Python), research, computing, data analysis, cyber security, and robotics. Required courses include Exploring Computer Science or Illustration/Digital Media, Introduction to Computational Media, and AP Computer Science Principles. Students are also offered advanced elective courses such as Cyber Security, AP Computer Science A, and CS and the City. This program gives a priority to students who live in the zoned area for up to 50% of the seats.
John Bowne Institute for Health and Nutritional Sciences (Q14F)
Program Description:
This 4-year program of study focuses on health and nutritional issues concerning our bodies, our diets, well-being, and medicine. Students will take science and health courses in nutrition, anatomy and physiology, CPR & First Aid. You will investigate health and nutritional topics through case studies and hands-on learning activities. Students enrolled will be trained in and receive Red Cross certification in First Aid & CPR. Healthcare comprises the largest sector of employment in New York City with approximately 590,000 jobs and shows great potential for growth. Healthcare refers to health-related services provided to patients in hospitals, residential care facilities, doctors' offices, outpatient care centers, private homes, and laboratories. This program of learning will prepare students for post-secondary studies in healthcare and future careers in medicine, nursing, physical therapy, nutrition, and related healthcare fields.
Science Technology Engineering and Math (S.T.E.M.) Research Program (Q14H)
Program Description:
Honors academy with competitive science research program winning both State and National awards. Extra-curricular activities include: Civil Engineering, Science Olympiad and Girls Who Code. College preparation for careers in medical fields, engineering and computer science. Pre-Advanced and Advanced Placement courses beginning in the 9th grade and culminating in the distinguishable Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma.
Zoned (Q14Z)
Program Description:
Students are provided with opportunities in our various majors. Students have the choice to join our Air Force JROTC program that offers courses in Aerospace Science & Leadership. Our Community Based Organizations offer activities in culinary arts, fitness and social-emotional learning.
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryAdvanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP African American Studies, AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Chinese Language and Culture, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Macroeconomics, AP Physics 1, AP Research, AP Seminar, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Statistics, AP Studio Art - 2D, AP Studio Art - 3D, AP United States Government and Politics, AP United States History, AP World History: Modern, Chemistry (Advanced Science), Math (College Course [Credited]), Science (College Course [Credited]), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Handball, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling
Girls PSAL teams
Badminton, Basketball, Cross Country, Handball, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball
Coed PSAL teams
Cricket, Golf, Stunt
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
63-25 Main Street
Queens
NY
11367
Buses: Q17, Q20A, Q20B, Q25, Q34, Q44-SBS, Q64, Q88, QM4, QM44
Contact
Other Details
This school is in its own building.
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