Columbia Secondary School opened in 2007 and is a sixth through twelfth grade school focusing on math, science, and engineering. It is considered one of the city’s most selective schools.
Some Harlem parents say admissions policies are too restrictive; they want the school to offer more seats for children who get a 3 or a 4 on state tests. But others argue that the rigorous curriculum is the best way to attract top students.
Getting Started
In 2007, Columbia Secondary School opened as a new sixth through 12th grade middle and high school. It is one of the city’s most selective schools, accepting students from throughout New York City based on academic achievement and a competitive application process. The school is a collaboration between the Department of Education and Columbia University, with an emphasis on math, science, and engineering. Students from all across the city are eligible to apply, but preference is given to those in its priority district, which encompasses north Manhattan and parts of the Bronx.
The application includes the city’s middle school admissions application, recent standardized test results, report cards, and attendance records. The school also requires a letter of recommendation from a teacher. In addition, applicants must answer three list questions and a short essay. The list questions are meant to give the admissions committee a sense of the applicant’s interests and personality, so they should be thoughtfully answered. The essay should be a showcase for the student’s writing skills and creativity. Incorporate anecdotes and vivid language to make the essay stand out.
While the application is challenging, it’s important to remember that Columbia is a top-tier school with a mission to serve the community. Despite its controversial history in Harlem, the university has sought to build positive relationships with local residents and has committed to providing resources for the neighborhood that go beyond academics.
The school’s curriculum and admissions processes reflect this commitment to local communities. Students are encouraged to explore a variety of topics, and teachers provide opportunities for students to discuss books they’ve read or attend lectures in the area. They are also expected to engage in discussion and debate, and to participate in workshops focusing on writing and public speaking.
The school’s rigorous academic program is only possible if students are well-read and intellectually curious. Reading exposes students to different styles, genres, and topics that can help them excel in their classes. Students are also encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities, volunteering, internships, and research projects to demonstrate their passions and interests.
Academics
In the classroom, students are challenged to work together and engage with complex ideas. Teachers are passionate about their subject matter and strive to inspire curiosity and love for learning. The school offers a true 6-12 program with a deliberate “loop” and “return” in curriculum, so that students experience consistent learning throughout their years at CSS. Many teachers teach at both middle and high school, creating close bonds with students as they progress through the grade levels. Students are involved in community service, including restorative circles and tutoring for younger peers, and have the opportunity to take courses at Columbia University.
The school’s location on 123rd Street in Harlem was chosen intentionally to bring a rigorous option for the neighborhood. The school was built with funding and support from Columbia University, which has a history of clashing with the neighborhood over its use of eminent domain. As part of an agreement with the city, Columbia promised to partner with the education department to open a new public middle and high school focused on math, science, and engineering. The school would have priority for students living in the surrounding historically black and Hispanic communities, as well as those from the Ivy League institution’s Manhattanville neighborhood.
When the school opened in 2007, it quickly established itself as one of the city’s top high schools, with test scores and graduation rates far above city averages. However, as a screened school, Columbia Secondary admits only those who apply and rank it among their top choices. It screens applicants by evaluating their grades, report cards, recent standardized tests, and attendance records.
Parents have complained for years about the admissions process to the education council, a parent-led body that oversees education issues in District 5. Beckles-Canton says the council was able to dig into the data through public-records requests and find that CSS was disproportionately screening out black and Hispanic students.
Nightengale says that she has considered changing the school’s admissions criteria but is unable to do so without risking its reputation. She maintains that the school must retain some form of sorting, at least as required by the university benefits agreement, to ensure it serves the students it is aiming for.
Extra-Curricular Activities
The school encourages its students to participate in extracurricular activities that can help develop and hone skills they will use throughout their lives. These activities range from academic clubs to community service opportunities, music programs, and sports teams. Students who engage in a variety of extracurriculars may find it easier to stand out during the admission process for college.
For example, a student who shows interest in leadership can join the Peer Leadership program. This group helps to promote good attitudes and behaviors among peers. This is an excellent way for teens to work on their interpersonal skills and gain experience that can be valuable in the workforce. Similarly, a student who loves to write can join the school’s newspaper or the literary magazine. These programs offer a great opportunity for students to write in the medium they enjoy, and they can also be valuable resume-building experiences.
Columbia also offers a number of sports teams for its middle school students. The school strives to provide a balanced and well-rounded athletic program, so each student has the chance to compete in his or her preferred sport. In addition to the school’s baseball, basketball, cross country, and lacrosse teams, there are also volleyball and track and field options. Students who excel at a particular sport can also compete on the school’s varsity level.
In addition to the school’s many sports teams, Columbia offers a range of after-school and lunchtime clubs and activities. These include a student newspaper, debate team, the New Roar Times, and Gender Sexuality Alliance. The school’s chess club, for example, allows students to build problem-solving and strategic thinking skills while having fun playing the game.
The school also offers the Key Club, a service organization that teaches students the importance of volunteering and community involvement. The club organizes activities, such as fundraisers and a day of community service, that can be beneficial to local residents. The school’s philosophy journal, CONTRARIWISE, is another student-run club that aims to educate its members on philosophical topics. The journal publishes students’ essays, dialogues, roundtable discussions, letters and stories on subjects ranging from time to tyranny.
Community
Students at Columbia Secondary School are surrounded by a community of supportive peers and caring adults. We encourage participation in student clubs, leadership opportunities, and school-wide activities. High School Student Government acts as a liaison between the student body and administration and promotes positive role models; Middle School Student Council promotes the school, community, and culture; and our Study Buddy Program connects CHS students with students in other middle or elementary schools to provide support and help motivate them through a model of consistent homework completion.
Our unique 6-12 programmed curriculum includes many deliberate “loops” and returns in curriculum with middle school texts, ideas, and teachers, building a strong community throughout the grades. In addition, many of our teachers teach both Middle and High School students, fostering strong student-teacher relationships that build over time.
Parents are also able to participate in our School Leadership Team (SLT), which is an elected committee of parents, teachers, and staff that oversees the development of the school’s educational plan and budget. All SLT meetings are held monthly and are open to the public.
