1. HIGH SCHOOL UNWRAPPED
MARCH 4, 2015
DRAFT

2. “Renaissance is committed to graduating individuals who are competent, powerful thinkers, engaged citizens, and life-long learners who will create the renaissance of New York.”
This line from our mission statement sums up our high-school in a nutshell. We want our HS students to be leaders who challenge the status-quo, people who care about the world around them, and want to make their communities, both in and out of school, better places to live and learn.
We strive every day to teach students to be proficient writers, readers, artists, critical thinkers, geographically literate, imaginative problem solvers, scientific analysts, physically and emotionally healthy, and proponents of social justice.
We care about your child’s character as much as their academic rank.

3. Renaissance HS is a small school.
A word about small…
Renaissance HS is a small school.
No doubt about it. We have about 220 students 9-12.
And that’s just the way we like it. Why?
We know you – from teachers to office staff to school safety officers to…
Your teachers know how you learn, what your strengths are, where you need help.
We have the flexibility to add experiential learning to your plate whenever the opportunity arises-- which means more artists and other experts in your classes, more trips, more leadership opportunities and internships.
Students in small schools perform better academically, graduate at higher levels, are more likely to attend college, and earn higher salaries later on in life.*
You heard about that BIG fish in the small pond? That could be you.
*Raywid,“Small Schools: A ReformThat Works,” Educational Leadership, 55(4),p.34-39

4. We can prove it, too. For the last several years …
The percentage of Renaissance high school students meeting standards on Regents exams exceeded the district levels by 6 to 19 percentage points.
We have maintained a school attendance rate of above 95%.
We have maintained a 92-98% graduation rate.
97-100% college acceptance rate, with 100% happening more often than not.
We received an A for college & Career Readiness from the DOE
We were the only charter school named as one of NYC’s top high schools by Daily News, AM NY and US News & World Report

5. Not to mention some of our fantastic alumni. They are …
Artists - Cathy Messier (class of 2007) a graduate of Brandeis, playwright & actor. Lisette Lopez (class of 2010) won a prestigious internship with the art department of the Museum of Natural History.  Daniel Sanchez (class of 2006), working in the film industry in NYC as a production assistant, and writer/producer of documentaries. 
Health Professionals – Samantha Aaron (class of 2006), working as a research scientist at the NYC Department of Mental Health after finishing her master’s in Public Health.
Law Professionals – Sam Gauthier (class of 2008), getting his law degree from CUNY Law after graduating from Trinity College, Hartford.
Engineering Professionals - Jonathan Rivas (class of 2008), working as Engineer’s Assistant at Hazen & Sawyer Environmental Engineers;
Education Professionals – Claudia Martinez (class of 2006), got her Master’s in Education from Harvard. Jose Mane (class of 1999) is teaching Global Humanities at Renaissance, and is doing post- graduate work at Columbia. Pierre Dizon (class of 2005) is teaching MS Social Studies and has his education degree in Special Education. Alex Smith (class of 2000) is our Sports coordinator and teaches recess here at Renaissance. Girelle Guzman (class of 2002) developed our Leadership & Internship program at Renaissance, now working for a global construction firm.
Entrepreneurs – Deep Patel (class of 2005), owns a chain of convenience stores in upstate New York, AND the fuel company that supplies his gas stations!
Innovators – Luvana Chowdhury (class of 2009), was a Fulbright Scholar finalist for developing a micro- chip to detect Dengue Fever; Tsechu Dolma (class of 2010), received a Brower Youth Award in recognition of her efforts to create a model for sustainable food security in Nepal.
And more… alums like Brandee Williams (class of 2005) who is here tonight, is a public relations professional; or Conor McCoy (class of 2004), an investment broker, is talking to us about giving back to his alma mater, by joining the Friends of Renaissance board.

6. ACRONYMS! TRCS (RENAISSANCE) CSG (COLLABORATIVE SCHOOL GOVERNANCE)
ELL (ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS)
ELA (ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
TLC (THE LEARNING CENTER)
ICT (INTEGRATED COLLABORATIVE TEACHING)
AP (ADVANCED PLACEMENT)
SAT (SCHOLASTIC APTITUTE TEST)
ACT (AMERICAN COLLEGE TEST)
TREA (TEENS FOR RACIAL AND ETHNIC AWAKENING)

7. Why TRCS? Staff and Curriculum Advisories AP Courses
College and Career Office
Leadership Program
College Now
Extracurricular Activities
College Acceptance
Student Government
Individual Attention
Your Student Has a Voice!

8. English Language Arts (ELA)
Miyo Tubridy, ELA Coach
Ariel Sacks – 9th Grade Humanities (ELA)
Miyo Tubridy – 10th Grade ELA, 12th Grade ELA
Sandra Fritz – 11th Grade ELA, AP English Literature
Vincent Chen – 11th Grade ELA
Ellie Shrier – ELA ICT
Nicole Jollon – Literacy
All the above staff also teach writer's workshops—small groups of students working on targeted writing skills based on students' needs. Additional writing workshop teachers often include Jose Mane — Humanities, Tammy Park – ELL and other literacy teachers as needed.
Ariel
Miyo
Vincent
Ellie
Nicole
Sandra

9. Math
Ram
Ram Buenaventura, Math Coach
Erin Chae – Pre-Calculus, Integrated Algebra, Algebra 2/Trigonometry
Tara Gangarossa – Calculus, Geometry, Algebra 2/Trigonometry Edward Tan – Algebra and Geometry ICT
Yianna Vasiliou – Geometry
All the above staff also teach 9th grade math skills classes—small groups of students working on targeted math skills based on students' needs.
Tara
Erin
Edward (ET)
Yianna

10. Science Richard Doherty – Physics
Dan Fanelli, Science Coach
Richard Doherty – Physics
Riaad Etheridge – Living Environment, Agriculture Dan Fanelli – Earth Science
Yaacov Levy – Chemistry, AP Biology
Danielle Randone – Science ICT
All the above staff also teach science skills classes—small groups of students working on targeted science skills based on students' needs.
Richard
Dan
Yaacov
Riaad
Danielle

11. Social Studies
Jose Mane, Social Studies Coach
Jose Mane – 9th Grade Humanities (Global History & Geography)
Jason George – 10th Grade Global History & Geography, AP World History
Thandi Guimaraes – 11th Grade US History, 12th Grade Economics, AP US History
In addition to the above core classes, we offer 10th grade Global Labs; small group, project-based learning experiences that support the content in Global History & Geography. Global labs are taught by various staff members who come with a variety of content knowledge from the arts, science, language arts and social studies. Current Global Lab teachers are Curtis Anderson - TLC, Lisa Burns - TLC, Robert Evangelista – Art, and Everett Boyd – Music.
Jose
Thandi
Thandi
Jason

12. Arts Everett Boyd – Music Robert Evangelista – Art
Everett Boyd, Arts Coach
Everett Boyd – Music
Robert Evangelista – Art
Rebekah Slotnick – Drama
9th grade students take an introductory course in all three HS arts classes before choosing an Arts major to follow through 11th grade.
In addition, there is an arts elective for 8th-12th grade students that meets once a week during the Wednesday Leadership program time that offers students the opportunity to explore another arts medium or get involved in a multi-media project. Teachers: Curtis Anderson - Drama & Stage Direction; Lisa Burns - Singing & Songwriting; Robert Evangelista – Art, Costuming & Set Design; Everett Boyd – Music & Sound Design.
Everett
Robert
Rebekah
Curtis
Lisa

13. Foreign Language
Marta Bolivar, Coach
Marta Bolivar – 9th, 10th, 11th Grade Spanish; AP Spanish Literature
Lisjane Gaviria - 9th, 10th, 11th Grade Spanish
In addition to helping students gain fluency and preparing students to take the Spanish Comprehensive Regents exam, Renaissance often offers advanced Spanish Honors courses in Spanish Literature and Language, culminating in students taking the AP Spanish Literature and AP Spanish Language exams.
Each year we schedule Honors or AP classes depending on the demand.
We have also facilitated individualized online learning courses in other languages, such as French and Arabic. Students interested in pursuing another foreign language should speak to their Advisor.
Lisjane
Marta

14. Physical Education
Vinny Garelick – PE Teacher; Boys Varsity Baseball and Basketball Coach
Alex Smith – Sports Coordinator
PSAL (Public School Athletic League) and Charter School Athletic League team sports offered at Renaissance include Boys Varsity Basketball, Boys Varsity Baseball, Girls Varsity Volleyball, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer and Girls Softball. Teams are formed depending on student interest and commitment.
Vinny
Alex

15. Curriculum Typical program: 9th Grade: 10th Grade:
Algebra (Erin)/Geometry (Tara)
Global Studies/Humanities (Jose)
Living Environment (Riaad)
ELA (Ariel)
Spanish (Lisjane/Marta)
Health (Suzanne)
College Bound (Maura)
Arts
Advisory
Physical Education (Vinny/Raymond)
10th Grade:
Geometry (Yianna/Tara)
Global Studies (Jason)
Global Lab
ELA (Miyo)
Chemistry (Yaacov)
College Bound (Maura)
Spanish (Lisjane/Marta)
Arts Major
Advisory
PE (Vinny/Raymond)
AP Classes (various)

16. Curriculum Typical program: 11th Grade: 12th Grade:
Algebra 2/Trig (Tara)
US History (Thandi)
ELA (Sandra/Vincent)
Spanish (Lisjane/Marta)
Physics (Richard) or Agriculture (Riaad)
College Bound (Ana/Maura)
Arts Major
Advisory
Physical Education
AP Classes (various)
12th Grade:
Senior Seminar
Pre-Calculus or Calculus (Tara/Erin)
ELA (Miyo)
Government/Economics (Thandi)
College Bound (Ana/Maura)
Advanced Agriculture (Riaad) or Physics (Richard) or AP Bio (Yaacov)
Spanish (Lisjane) or AP Spanish Literature (Marta)
Additional AP classes
PE (Vinny/Raymond)

17. Advisories
The advisory program focuses on creating a safe space where advisors can enhance students’ social-emotional development and work on team -building. Three major goals guide the work of Advisory:
Support Students In Monitoring Academic Goals
Support Students’ Social-Emotional Development
Promote Community Service Through An Advisory-Developed Project or Initiative
HS Advisors are drawn from the entire middle and high school staff, in order to keep the size of the groups small. Students in 9th and 10th grades start every day with an advisory. 11th and 12th graders meet with their advisory groups weekly, and seniors have Senior Seminar and College Bound to address senior-specific issues, plans, college applications and scholarship essays, among other things.

18. AP Courses Advanced Placement Courses: Biology World History
Human Geography
Psychology
Spanish Literature
Spanish Language
U.S. History
English Literature
English Language
Advanced Placement Courses:
Students are encouraged to take AP classes, to challenge themselves and develop a competitive transcript that will attract the college of their choice.
Advisors will inform students when there is an option to do higher level work in a particular class. Because classes are weighted, a student’s rank in the graduating class will reflect the level of difficulty of his or her coursework.

19. College and Career Office
College/Career Counselor/HS Coordinator
Literacy Skills/
Senior Seminar Teacher
Leadership Program Coordinator
Ana Falla Riff
Maura Malarcher
Vacant

20. College and Career Office
We strive to help students create an academic and career portfolio that reflects her/his aspirations, goals, dreams, and skills.
How?
Create curricula that reflects our students’ needs.
9th Grade
10th Grade
11th Grade
12th Grade
Engage parents as partners in their children’s education.
Grade meetings
Financial Aid Workshops
Individual meetings with parents/guardians
Work with faculty and staff to create individualized student plans.
College and Career Office:

21. College and Career Office
Exposes students to academic and extracurricular leadership opportunities:
City University of New York (CUNY) College Now Program
Queens College
Bronx Community College
School of Professional Studies
John Jay School of Criminal Justice
The Opportunity Network
OppNet Prep
OppNet Fellows
The Posse Foundation
Lafayette
Trinity (CT)
Brandeis
Sadie Nash Leadership Project
Saturation Model
Role Models Mentoring Program
Summer Leadership Institute
Social Justice Day
Career Day

22. College and Career Office
On-site Leadership Programs
Sadie Nash Leadership Project
Move This World
Students Care
Engineering for Kids
Global Kids
Culinary Arts
Teens for Racial and Ethnic Awakening (TREA)
Staff Assistants
Check out the video below, about our Leadership Program:

23. College and Career Office
Off-site Leadership Programs
Jamaica Hospital
Possibility Project
Police Athletic League
82nd Street Academics
NYU High School Law Institute
Good Guides Mentoring
Urban Arts Partnership
Cerami and Associates
Corona Vision
Michael Cervini Law
Noguchi Museum Teen Board
Ace Mentor Program
NYPD Explorers
READ Alliance
YMCA
Super Kickers
Children’s Big Apple
Zany’s Furry Friends
Faith in New York
Ins and Outs Music
Queens Library
NORC Roots & Branches Program

24. Extracurricular Activities
Robotics Club
Tech Crew
Rensizzle
Sports Teams
Student Government
Peer Mediation
Yearbook Committee
Future Farmers of America
National Honor Society
Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica
Curtain Up! Drama Club
Jazz Band
Photography, Graphic Novel, Computer Animation…
or… got another idea? Let us know!
START YOUR OWN CLUB

25. Rensizzle Week
There is nothing like it: it's a Renaissance original! Over a dozen years ago, founding teacher and current Board of Trustees Chairperson Sandra Geyer came up with the idea of a full week of immersion experiences. "Rensizzle Week" was born!  It has grown to an average of 20 groups who spend a week out of traditional classes engaged in an in-depth exploration of one subject, with an emphasis on its' relation to New York.  
Last year we had groups investigating Asian culture, cultural impacts on cuisine, culinary arts, dance, music, drama, human rights through arts, geology & astronomy, the graphic novel, Lego robotics, journalism & media, water & nature, science, art and NYC-themed museums; NYC landmarks, nutrition & fitness, survival skills, and permaculture (Urban Farms).

26. College Acceptance City University of New York (CUNY)
Macaulay Honors at Hunter College
Baruch College Honors
Brooklyn, Queens, Hunter, City, BMCC, LaGuardia
State University of New York (SUNY)
Binghamton, Stony Brook, Albany, Buffalo, Fashion Institute of Technology, Cobleskill
Private
Barnard
College of St. Rose
Cornell
Hofstra
Juniata
Wellesley
New York University
Swarthmore
Union
Syracuse