Our Insights
What’s Special
The arts are integrated into academic classes
The Downside
Limited advance class options
The Maxine Greene High School for Imaginative Inquiry integrates the arts into academic classes. For example, in English, students may read an August Wilson play aloud and watch a live performance at Lincoln Center. Math students study how architects use geometry to design and measure buildings.
Founded in 2005, the school is named after Maxine Greene, a professor at Teacher’s College known for her work in aesthetic education—exploring the beauty of art and nature through what we see, hear and feel. Teaching artists from Partnership with Children visit once a week and lead classes in theater and dance. A full-time art teacher presents lessons on mask-making, sculpting with clay and painting.
Academics & Instruction: In addition to core academics, the school offers Virtual Enterprise, a career and technical education (CTE) course in which teens create and operate all parts of a mock business.
Most students enter 9th grade with academic skills that are below grade level. The school offers after-school, summer, and online self-paced classes to help them catch up. However, the school struggles with poor attendance and the graduation rate is below the citywide average. It is a tiny school with limited options for advanced students.
Teachers help students apply to the Summer Youth Employment Program, which offers paid work experience in jobs across the city. The majority of the students take part.
Culture & Environment: Surveys show some students are concerned about safety and bullying. Students engage in breathing techniques and yoga to stay calm, focused and engaged. Counselors provide encouragement and support. Students participate in small group advisories.
“Though we are a small school, we are a community and family," an administrator said. "Students have great relationships with staff and continuously grow to be academically and socially strong.”
Special education & English as a new language: Co-teaching classes integrate students with disabilities into general education classes. These are taught by at least two teachers; one trained in special education. Multilingual learners get extra help in small groups or one-on-one.
College & Career: In 12th grade, students take a college and career course. The teacher and guidance counselor guide them in finding colleges, applying and getting financial aid.
Building & Facilities: Maxine Greene is housed on the fourth floor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex. It shares the building with five small schools. Sports teams are made up of students from all five mini-schools, and the soccer team is particularly strong. (Lydie Raschka, web reports and interview, August 2023)
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Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryThe Maxine Greene High School for Imaginative Inquiry (M11R)
Program Description:
At MGHS we believe that: Our school is a place of possibility with an atmosphere of excellence; Our students are prepared for higher education, entrance into the work force, and community involvement; A small, nurturing school environment allows students to be known as individuals; Partnerships with outside organizations, agencies, colleges and universities bring enrichment to the curricula and instructional programs in the school.
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Italian
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP English Language and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Human Geography, AP United States Government and Politics, Chemistry (Advanced Science)
Boys PSAL teams
Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Handball, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Volleyball, Wrestling
Girls PSAL teams
Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Flag Football, Handball, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball, Wrestling
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
122 Amsterdam Avenue
Manhattan
NY
10023
Trains: to 66th St-Lincoln Center; , to 72nd St; , , , to 59th St-Columbus Circle
Buses: BxM2, M10, M104, M11, M12, M20, M31, M5, M57, M66, M7, M72
Contact
Other Details
This school shares the Martin Luther King, Jr. Educational Campus with four other schools
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