Susan E. Wagner High School

 

The United States Department of Education has named Susan E. Wagner High School a School of Excellence a coveted title awarded to very few schools nationwide. We provide a rigorous academic program in a caring environment. All of our students are enrolled in intellectually stimulating courses. Over 90% of our graduates are accepted into the finest colleges and universities in the country.

 

 

As a large comprehensive high school, Susan E. Wagner High School is able to offer its students a wide range of required and elective courses, as well as extracurricular team and club activities. Within this setting, students participate in a learning center, based on their interest and academic performance. Each Center serves as a small learning community with an exclusively assigned teacher-coordinator, guidance counselor, and assistant principal.

 

Scholars Academy

Students with outstanding academic ability may apply to our Scholars Academy. Once accepted into our prestigious Academy, students can enroll in courses which emphasize inquiry, critical thinking and research skills. An interdisciplinary approach to ideas, concepts, and attitudes guides participants through a comprehensive and challenging exploration of culture and heritage using the resources of NYC as an extension of our school.

 

Institute for Law and Politics

Students may apply for admission to this program, which offers enriched law and law-related courses. Activities available to the students include the Law Partnership program, which provides an internship with our partners from the world of law and government.

 

Academy of Finance

The Academy of Finance is a four-year program that prepares students to work in the business world in banks, insurance companies and the stock market. The Academy is an exciting, challenging program that includes trips, guest speakers and competition in the Federal Reserve Challenge. In addition, students will participate in an internship experience during the summer preceding their senior year. This will enable students to gain firsthand experience in the business world.

 

Academy of Hospitality and Tourism

This four-year program prepares students to work in travel-related fields, such as travel agent, hotel hospitality, and airline reservations. Instruction includes developing proficiency in a foreign language, a strong background in geography and world history as well as excellent English written and verbal skills. The Academy of Hospitality and Tourism will provide high school students with a stimulating and innovative program. In addition, these students will participate in an internship experience during their senior year.

 

Air Force Junior ROTC

The goals of AFJROTC are to instill in high school cadets the values of: citizenship, personal responsibility and accomplishment. The program encourages the development of self reliance, discipline, leadership, and a respect for a democratic society. The students have the opportunity to participate in various field trips, summer programs, and leadership positions.

 

Media Arts

The purpose of Media is to educate our students in the basics of media production which includes proper public speaking techniques and etiquette, professional appearance, working with a team, and working independently. Additionally, students will be educated in the basics of preproduction, production, post production, filming commercials, music videos, editing video, budgeting for productions and video journalism.

 

Sports Management

The Sports Management Institute is a four year program with a rigorous and informative curriculum based on themes and trends in the sports industry. Topics will include legal concepts, sports finance and marketing, anatomy and physiology, sports in film, and leisure and recreational management. Students will participate in group projects, internships and various informational excursions to local sports venues.

 

Music (Performing Art)

Music offers instrumental courses for beginning and experienced students, including: symphonic, jazz, concert, intermediate, beginning and marching bands, beginning and advanced guitar, and beginning piano. Vocalists of all levels have the opportunity to perform in the chorus, as well as in Sing and the spring musical.

The music program has won top honors in competition at the NYSSMA Festival held annually in New York, as well as Nationwide in locations including Orlando, Boston and Virginia.

 

Institute for the Theatrical Arts (Performing Art)

Theatrical Arts offers a comprehensive program of study which includes all aspects of theatre. Courses include: acting, stage design, musical theater, directing, and play writing. The Theatre department plays a large role in producing the annual spring musical. Recent shows have been Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, and West Side Story. In addition to the musical, theatre students have the opportunity to showcase their talents in Sing, holiday and spring shows, and dramatic theatre productions.

 

Visual Art

The art department offers a wide variety of courses and many opportunities for students to showcase their skills. In addition to basic and major art courses, special courses in fashion design, computer graphic design, photography, and portfolio creation are designed to insure that each student will reach his or her potential through the creation of original work. Susan E. Wagner High School art students have numerous accolades from participation in many local, regional, and national competitions.

 

These programs provide a setting where students and teachers work in non-traditional classrooms and special peer group sessions. Grade advisors are assigned to provide guidance support and teach English classes in the 10th through 12th grades.

 

Medical Technology Academy

The Medical Technology Academy offers a multifaceted curriculum and co-curricular approaches to medical technology education with an emphasis towards “hands on” learning. Students receive training which prepares them for a career in the field of health care and medical technology. This includes forensics, radiology, hematology, as well as other areas.

 

Exploration Academy

The Exploration Academy offers students an opportunity to investigate the complex relationships among geography, politics, technology and the ways in which people live in the 21st century. Based upon the Human Geography curriculum, the interdisciplinary nature of this learning center enables students to discover and apply the key ideas that connect the traditional academic subject areas.

 

Vocational Preparatory

The purpose of the Vocational Preparatory Learning Center is to prepare students for meaningful post secondary employment. Following a standards based adapted curriculum as specified by the New York State Department of Education, students also receive instruction in developing vocationally oriented skills and the opportunity to apply these skills in a variety of real world work situations. After their freshman year, students devote an increasing amount of instructional time either at volunteer worksites or participating in the operation of the Falcon’s Nest, the school store where they receive hands-on experience in all aspects of operating a modern retailing venue.

 

INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES (ISS)

 

Instructional Support Services at Susan E. Wagner High School offers a wide array of services and is one of the more diverse programs in New York City day high schools. These services are consistent with the philosophy of IDEIA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004): students are more alike than different and integrating programs and resources result in improved student outcomes for all. The services offered are as follows:

- Special classes (New York City diploma bound) with opportunities for collaborative team teaching and/or general education class placement.

- Special classes (IEP diploma bound) where students participate in a vocational skills development programming.

- SETSS (Special Education Teacher Support Services) where general education students receive academic support in a resource room or within the context of the general education class.

- Related Services (Counseling, Speech and Language Therapy, Physical Therapy), Vision Services and Hearing Education Services, and Adaptive Physical Education.

- Alliance offers general education students with IEP’s (Individualized Education Plans) a level of support beyond the resource room (SETSS) mandated services. These students are advised by an exclusively assigned guidance counselor who works closely with them, their families and the Instructional Support Services department throughout their high school career to promote academic progress and facilitate their transition to post secondary educational or career opportunities.

 

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

 

Honors Classes

Students who meet the academic requirements and who wish to have an enriched program in particular disciplines may be selected to participate in Honors classes. These special classes, offered in most major subject areas, provide research opportunities and supplementary activities.

 

Student Organization

The Student Organization (Government) provides students with the opportunity to gain leadership skills by representing their student constituents. The S.O. oversees the multifaceted aspect of extracurricular life that is an integral component to the overall well being of the Wagner community.

 

Council for Unity

Council for Unity is a class which addresses issues relating to school unity and safety and concerns of young people today. The projects in which they plan and implement directly contribute to a positive and unified school tone.

 

Peer Negotiation

Negotiation trains students to be peer educators in conflict resolution. Students will make peer presentations where they will model negotiation skills, discuss ways to resolve disputes, and encourage positive relationships.

 

Peer Mediation

Peer Mediation trains students in conflict resolution and mediation strategies. Students are assigned to the mediation center where they serve as impersonal arbitrators in resolving disputes between their peers.

 

ISS Character Education

The ISS Character Education class provides students with the opportunity to develop and apply leadership skills through the vehicle of the expressive performing arts.

 

Intel Science Talent Search

Students are involved in advanced research projects with community agencies such as the Institute for Basic Research, Staten Island University Hospital, and the College of Staten Island. Students work in laboratories and assist scientists in conducting state of the art research experiments. We have been honored to have twelve Intel semi-finalists since 1991 and recently were honored to have a finalist, one of just forty in the United States.

 

Foreign Language Teaching Program

In addition to St. Johns University partnerships in Spanish, Italian and French, Susan E. Wagner High School is one of the few schools in New York City that offers Latin. Students praise the study of Latin for expanding their English vocabulary and for the etymological connections to many other languages. Foreign language students may participate in our student teaching program, traveling to local elementary schools where they teach younger students.

 

 

Our University Program offers eligible students the opportunity to take many of our 22 courses, which total 66 college credits. The following is a breakdown:

 

Advanced Placement

Our students may earn college credits by taking Advanced Placement courses, which culminate in the examinations given each spring. The academic rigor associated with the curriculum of these courses, as well as the higher weighting, provides students with a great advantage when applying to colleges and universities. Advanced placement courses are offered in Biology, Chemistry, Calculus, English Literature, English Composition, French Language, Spanish Language, World History, Human Geography, American Government & Politics, United States History, and Macro Economics.

 

College Now

Students participate in college-level or college preparatory courses tuition-free. These courses are given either before or after the regular school day. Course offerings are in areas of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Business, Communications, English, Humanities, Mathematics, and Science. Students receive college and high school credit. College Now courses are offered through CUNY colleges. Students also may participate in freshman orientation courses designed to assist them in making a smooth transition from high school to college.

 

College and University Partnerships

Susan E. Wagner is partnered with St. Johns University in providing students with the opportunity to earn college credits while taking challenging courses during their regular school day schedule. The academic rigor associated with the curriculum of these courses provides students with a great advantage when applying to colleges and universities. Additionally, students can earn college credit which translates into a huge financial benefit since these courses are accepted by most major universities. These courses include: Italian Grammar, Italian Culture, French in Action, Spanish Grammar I, Spanish Grammar II, Accounting, and English Composition.

 

SAT Preparation Program

The SAT Preparation course is offered on Saturday in Extended Day School. This course addresses verbal, writing and math skills. Students who avail themselves of this opportunity will receive an elective English credit and thorough preparation for the SAT exam, free of charge. In addition, the Susan E. Wagner High School PTA has partnered with Princeton Review to offer their SAT preparation courses at Wagner at a greatly reduced cost to our students. Our University Program offers eligible students the opportunity to take many of our22 courses, which total 66 college credits.

 

LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER

Wagner offers a comprehensive library collection which provides students Internet access and extensive research resources. Librarians are informed of all class projects enabling them to support our students in their research endeavors. The library also has twelve Internet connected workstations for students to complete research and other computer related instructional activities.

 

EXTENDED DAY SCHOOL

Extended Day School at Susan E. Wagner High School is one of the largest programs of its kind in the New York City Public School system. This instructional program offers credit bearing classes and tutoring on both Saturdays and immediately after school on selected days.

 

ACADEMIC INTERVENTION SERVICES (TUTORING)

Wagner High School offers our students a wide range of Guidance and Academic Intervention Services (Tutoring) to assist students in meeting academic expectations. These services are offered before, during and after the school day as well as on Saturday.

 

Our innovative Technology program offers students a stimulating program with a variety of business courses including Microsoft applications, and web design. Wagner High Schools technology infrastructure includes seven computer classrooms each with 34 workstations, as well as, 70 classrooms and the library which are equipped with SmartBoard interactive white boards. The entire building is completely wired for Internet access via a dedicated T3 line. Our network includes wireless access points in all classroom and laboratory areas. There is also equipment necessary to take part in video conferencing and distance learning activities.

 

PARENT COORDINATOR

At Wagner High School, our Parent Coordinator runs a very active office assisting parents with issues or concerns that may arise during the high school experience. The Parent Coordinator will help parents navigate their way through the educational process and is available during regular school hours, and after school. The goal of the Parent Coordinator is to work interactively between the school and parent community fostering a partnership that leads to academic success.

 

CLUBS, TEAMS AND ACTIVITIES

 

ACRES

African Culture Club

Anime Club

Arena Club

ARISTA

Art Club

Asian Culture Club

Athenaeum Magazine

Badminton

Baseball (JV,V)

Basketball (F,JV,V-G+B)

Belly Dancing

Bowling

Break Dance

Caribbean

Cheerleaders (JV,V)

Christian

Comic Book Club

Cranial Crunch

Dance Team

Digital Nature Photography

Drama – Improv Club

Envirothon Team

Explorers

Filipino Club

Football (JV,V)

Gay Straight Alliance

Glamour Gals

Go Green Society

Golf (G+B)

Gymnastics

Handball(G+B)

International Club

International Festival

Italian Club

Jewish Club

Key Club

Mock Trial Team

Muslim Club

Peace

Ping Pong Club

Poetry Club

Polish Club

SING

Soccer (G+B)

Softball (JV,V)

Spanish Club

Spring Concert

Spring Musical

Sri Lankan Club

Steppers

Street Basketball

Student Organization

Swimming (G+B)

Tennis (G+B)

Track(G+B)

Twirlers

Video Yearbook

Volleyball (JV,V and G+B)

Wagner World (School Newspaper)

Wrestling

 

NOTE: Eligibility requires students to pass at least four-subject classes and physical education.

 

---