Beacon High School (03M479)

522 West 44Th Street, Manhattan, NY 10036, Manhattan
Phone: 212-465-4230
Hours: 8:00am - 2:20pm
School Website: https://thebeaconhs.org/
NYCDOE Website: https://www.myschools.nyc/en/schools/high-school/03M479/
Quality Snapshot: View snapshot
Building Access Profile: View profile
School Leader: Johnny Ventura (jventura2@schools.nyc.gov)
Parent Coordinator: Erdene Greene (egreene7@schools.nyc.gov)
Respect for All Liaison: Samilia Ghartey-Sam (sgharteysam@schools.nyc.gov)
Sexual Harassment Prevention Liaison: Samilia Ghartey-Sam (sgharteysam@schools.nyc.gov)
504 Coordinator: Naisha Baidy (nbaidy@schools.nyc.gov)
504 Coordinator: Joyce Battle (jbattle@schools.nyc.gov)
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About

Beacon High School offers an inquiry-based program with technology and arts infused throughout the curriculum. We emphasize a challenging, well-rounded liberal arts education based on the principle of shared exploration and problem-solving. In assessments for graduation, students present performance-based projects to panels of teachers. Beacon offers extensive opportunities to participate in clubs, sports, community service, and international travel.

Reports: School Budget | PTA Financials

Teachers with more than 3 years of experience: 89%

Academic Highlights: Performance-Based Assessment Tasks (PBATs)

Other Features: Diversity in Admissions

School Features:

  • Performance Assessment School, which base graduation requirements on the successful completion of performance assessments in major subject areas in lieu of one or more Regents exams
  • School whose primary location is co-located with another school
  • Diversity in Admissions (DIA): Priority to applicants eligible for free or reduced price lunch for 66% of seats
  • Guidance Counselors, Social Workers, Bilingual Guidance Counselors

AP Courses, Languages, Sports, Art
AP Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Environmental Science, AP French Language and Culture, AP Physics 1, AP Spanish Language and Culture, Calculus (Advanced Math), Chemistry (Advanced Science), Econ/Gov (College Course [Uncredited]), ELA (College Course [Uncredited]), Physics (Advanced Science), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Languages Offered
French, Spanish
Diploma Endorsements
NYS Seal of Biliteracy
Boys PSAL Sports
Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Tennis
Girls PSAL Sports
Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Fencing, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball
PSAL Team
Beacon High School
Other Sports
Climbing, Dance, Step, Table Tennis, Ultimate Frisbee
Clubs
7v7 Football Club, African Percussion Club, African Student Association, Architecture Club, Art & Literacy Club, Art Club, Asian Student Union, Athletics Student Union, B'DAT Choir, B'DAT Freshman Project, B'DAT Main Stage, Backpack Buddies, Banned Book Club, Beacon Beat Newspaper, Beacon Cooks, Beacon Dance Ensemble, Beacon Hiking Club, Beacon In Action, Beacon Ink, Beacon Sexuality and Gender Alliance, Beacon Tutors, Black Student Union, Book Club, Boys' Volleyball Club, Career Exploration Club, Caribbean Student Union, Champions League Club, Chess Club, Climbing Club, Club Care, Computer Coding Club, Creator Collective, Current Events Club, Debate Team, DECA, EFAO, Environmental Justice Club, Financial Literacy and Real Estate Club, GlamourGals, Health and Fitness, Helping Hands, IDEA student union, Intellectual Wellness Club, International Business Club, Jazz Appreciation Club, Jewish Student Alliance, Lady Blue Jays Step Team, Latine Student Union, Mathletes, Medical Club, Migrants Support Society, Model Congress, Model United Nations, Muslim Student Union, Nutrition Club, Pan-Asian Culture Club, Photo Club, Physics Club, Pickleball Club, Polish Club, Project Sunshine, Psychology & Collaborative Minds Club, Rock the Street Wall Street, Rocket club, SAT Club, Science Olympiad Club, Seaperch, Special Smiles Club, Squash Club, STEM Club, Stitch, Please, Stitched with Love, Stock Market Club, Table Tennis, TEENSY Magazine, The Club (DJ/Production), Type Awareness, Volunteer Club, Women in Business, Women In Film Club, Women's Health Club, Worldwide Club, Writing Club, Youth Mental Health Matters
Art
The Arts curriculum offers different ways of understanding reality and expressing one's self. Ninth grade students experience the arts rotation, which includes drama, dance, music, visual arts, film, and photography. Tenth through twelfth grade students choose from an array of arts electives spanning these six artistic disciplines as well as electives designed to infuse the arts as part of interdisciplinary courses of study, such as computer mapping and technology. Our black and white photography course uses the school darkroom, while digital photography classes utilize state of the art computers and software. African percussion, choreography, guitar, dance techniques, music theory, musical production, and songwriting take place in the school's dedicated music production and performance studios. Studio art classes are offered in drawing, painting, and 3D art. Theater and dance classes utilize our dance studio and Black Box theater. Advanced or honors courses are offered in visual arts, dance, drama, film, music, and photography.
Programs
The Beacon School(M71A)
Performing Arts/Visual Art & Design, Project-Based Learning

We offer an inquiry-based college-preparatory program. Beacon fosters a nurturing, collaborative work environment that promotes students' appreciation for intellectual diversity, preparation for the rigors of college, and active engagement in their larger communities. Our humanities and science courses encourage students to search through multiple perspectives and to scour research and experimental data for the answers to difficult questions. This program requires students to complete an assignment as part of admissions. Soon, you will be able to upload your completed assignment through MySchools. Learn more at https://www.schools.nyc.gov/AssessmentHS

Method:
Screened With Assessment
  • Average Course Grades - 20%
  • Essay - 80%
Requirement:
Students are admitted based on a school-based assessment, and in some cases also their course grades.
Priority:
  • (Group 1) New York City residents
DIA Admissions:
  • Applicants eligible for free or reduced price lunch will be considered first for 66% of seats
  • For the remaining 34% of seats, all students will be considered

Applicant Analysis
2023-242022-23
GE applicants/seats:4,210 / 282 (14.93)4,251 / 282 (15.07)
  DIA seats: 186186
SWD applicants/seats:232 / 78 (2.97)271 / 78 (3.47)
  DIA seats: 51?
Rank Avg: 3.90
OffersOffers - Waitlist
School Student & Admissions Statistics
School Year
2024-25
2023-24
2022-23
Total Students Across All Grades
1,378
1,435
1,456
    Grade 12 Students
352
368
349
    Grade 11 Students
350
362
378
    Grade 10 Students
335
358
382
    Grade 9 Students
341
347
347
Avg. Class Size
28.5
28.2
29.1
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
16.2
17.2
17.2
Safety Comp. / Susp. / NYPD
<5 / 0 / 6
<5 / 0 / 27
<5 / 0 / 55
Attendance %
92%
93%
Graduation %
96%
99%
College %
83%
90%
Total Applicants / Seats
Total Offers
7,891 (4,442) / 360
493
7,994 (4,503) / 360
472
Survey Summary & Data (2024-25)
Student Responses 10% responded
Academic Rigor 
  81.33%
Academic Engagement 
  68.09%
Safety 
  82.50%
Bully Prevention 
  81.25%
Inclusivity 
  85.00%
Mental Support 
  69.50%
Environment 
  68.00%
Post-School Support 
  63.80%
Teacher Responses 52% responded
Academic Rigor 
  88.50%
School Satisfaction 
  85.88%
Student Behavior 
  80.56%
Student Support 
  82.33%
School Leadership 
  92.33%
Instructional Clarity 
  74.00%
Instructional Development 
  78.61%
Post-School Support 
  83.17%
Family Responses 10% responded
Education 
  81.88%
Teacher Support 
  61.67%
Safety 
  70.00%
School Community 
  58.38%
School Leadership 
  81.70%
Post-School Support 
  86.50%
IEP Support 
  59.67%

Note: Yellow bars indicate city-wide averages for the associated category

View Full NYC DOE Survey Results:

This data was gathered from the NYC DOE's yearly school surveys: https://infohub.nyced.org/reports/students-and-schools/school-quality/nyc-school-survey

Academic Summary & Data (2023-24)
Academic Proficiency
4-Year Grad. %
  96.50%
CC Regents
  86
Impact Score
  0.67
Performance Score
  0.78
College Aptitude
CCR
  77.10%
ACT English
  30.6
ACT Math
  27.1
ACT Reading
  31.2
ACT Science
  27.5
SAT Math
  588
SAT R/W
  608
Postsecondary
2-Year College 4.10%
4-Year College 82.00%
Unknown 13.90%

View Full Academic Data:

This data was gathered from the NYC DOE's yearly quality reports: https://infohub.nyced.org/reports/students-and-schools/school-quality/school-quality-reports-and-resources

School Demographics (2024-25)
Student Population:
Male 36.00%
Female 64.00%
English Language Learners:
  0.60%
Students with Disabilities:
  20.50%
Economic Need Index: 
  56.30%
Student Ethnicity:
Asian 13.40%
Black 12.40%
Hispanic 32.50%
White 34.90%
Other 6.80%
Teacher Ethnicity:
Asian 8.20%
Black 14.10%
Hispanic 14.10%
White 61.20%
Other 2.40%
IEP Statistics (2023-24)
IEP Services
Students with IEPs
  19.80%
Students with SETSS
  3.10%
Students with ICT
  11.80%
Students with SC
  0.70%
Has all programs
  94.00%
Has all services
  91.00%
Has some services
  0.00%
Has no services
  9.00%
IEP Student Performance
Regents English
  83
4-Year Grad. Rate
  92.5
IEP Movement
Needs Improvement
IEP Support 
  59.67%
Special Education Programs & Services (2024-25)
ProgramFully ReceivingPartially ReceivingNot Receiving
Integrated Co-Teaching Services210 (95%)>5 (?)<=5 (?)
SETSS28 (93%)<=5 (?)<=5 (?)
Special Class9 (100%)0 (0%)0 (0%)
ServiceFully ReceivingPartially ReceivingNot Receiving
Counseling Services69 (87%)N/A (N/A)10 (13%)
Hearing Education Services<=5 (100%)N/A (N/A)0 (0%)
Occupational Therapy6 (100%)N/A (N/A)0 (0%)
Speech-Language Therapy>5 (96%)N/A (N/A)<=5 (4%)
Vision Education Services<=5 (100%)N/A (N/A)0 (0%)
TransportationNumber Receiving
Curb to School7 (88%)
Stop to School<=5 (?)
Unassigned<=5 (?)

This data was gathered from the NYC DOE's Special Education Reports: https://infohub.nyced.org/reports/government-reports/special-education-reports

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