Staten Island Technical High School, also known as SITHS, was founded in 1988. It is a public specialized high school operated by the New York City Department of Education.
SITHS is a great choice for students who want to pursue an academically rigorous college prep education. Here are some important facts about this highly ranked NYC high school:.
Academics
Staten Island Technical High School offers a rigorous academic curriculum with advanced and specialized courses such as AutoCAD, AP and STEM-focused English classes, Introduction to TV and Movie Production, and Lego Robotics. All students receive a laptop for use in class and at home, allowing them to learn with the latest technology. Students also have a choice of taking dual enrollment courses at colleges including Creative Writing at St. John’s University, Forensic Science and Criminal Justice at the College of Staten Island, CAD and Civil Engineering at Kingsborough College, and College Now courses at the New York Institute of Technology, among others.
The school’s curriculum is enhanced by more than 80 clubs, including a Literary Magazine, Strategic Fighting Game Club, Anime Club, Junior State of America, Do Something, and the Model United Nations. Students are inducted into clubs after a selective process in their junior year. In addition to these clubs, Staten Island Tech students take part in more than 100 activities, including school-year and summer internships.
Getting into Staten Island Technical is harder than the other specialized high schools in NYC. The school accepts students based on their score on the Specialized High Schools Admission Test (SHSAT). It has one of the highest SHSAT cut-off scores among the specialized high schools, meaning that only the top students are admitted into the school each year.
However, the school is a popular choice for many students because of its academic rigor and high student performance on standardized tests. Students also enjoy a good relationship with their teachers and feel safe at the school.
To be eligible to apply for Staten Island Tech, students must rank it as their first choice on the SHSAT and provide proof of residency. The school will then offer the ninth graders the best match based on their SHSAT score. If a student does not rank Staten Island Tech as their first choice, they will be placed into the next closest school. This is why it’s important to know how far you are from Staten Island Technical before registering for the SHSAT!
Activities
While Staten Island Technical High School provides an academically rigorous curriculum, students also get to participate in a variety of activities that help develop well-rounded students. These include a variety of sports, theater and community service programs as well as more than 80 different clubs. In addition to these activities, Tech offers a wide range of Advanced Placement courses (15 subjects, not including Russian) and a strong career development center that offers work based learning opportunities, internships, job shadowing and more.
The school is known for its diverse student body, and has been used in several films and television shows. Alumni include actors Duane Singleton and Kate Capobianco, former New York City Councilmember Debi Rose and professional baseball player Kenny Page. The school also has a well-established robotics team that competes in the FIRST Robotic Plague competition.
As of this year, Staten Island Technical has a student:teacher ratio of 19:1. Students have the option to take four years of math, three or more AP STEM and English courses as well as a required language course. Students in the top 1% of New York for both math and reading proficiency also receive a free laptop.
This year, a total of 286 students received admission offers to the school, and for the fifth straight year, more Asian students were offered spots than white students. Of those who received offers, 3.2% were Black, 5.7% were Latinx, 3.9% were multi-racial and 0.6% were Native American.
Specialized high schools are selective public schools that offer an advanced or focused curriculum based on a student’s performance on the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT). However, the city’s specialized high schools have faced backlash in recent years, as the number of Black and Latinx students offered seats has remained low. Some schools, such as Staten Island Technical High School, have developed outreach programs with underrepresented middle schools to try to address this issue.
The SHSAT is a difficult exam, and it’s important for applicants to research the school they are applying to, and to prepare thoroughly. There are a number of great resources online, such as Ivy Tutors Network, that provide diagnostic SHSAT tests and practice exams to help students prepare for the test.
College Preparation
The specialized high schools offer a unique opportunity for students to receive a rigorous college preparatory education. The only admission requirement is a score on the Specialized High School Admission Test, or SHSAT. This is typically given in the fall of eighth grade. Students are required to rank the schools they want to attend before taking the SHSAT, and they will only be accepted into their highest ranked school. Getting into Staten Island Technical High School requires a lot of hard work and adherence to a strict study regimen.
However, the high standards of this school are more than worth it for students who are able to get in. The school’s students perform very well academically, with over 99% of them being proficient in math and reading. In addition to this, Staten Island Tech offers a wide range of Advanced Placement courses, such as biology, calculus AB and BC, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, statistics, US history, world history, and a language course in Russian.
This level of academic prowess also translates into college readiness, with 39% of students graduating with tests scores high enough to enroll at CUNY and 55% taking at least one college-level course. This is a much higher rate of college readiness than the citywide average of 31% and 46% respectively.
Students also have a variety of extracurricular activities to participate in, including the Tech Times magazine, dance club, drama club, literary magazine, national honor society, peer mediations and conflict resolution, showcase, SING, student government, and more. These activities help to create a supportive sense of community amongst students, as well as enrich their experiences both academically and socially.
Another great thing about Staten Island Tech is its Career Development Center, which helps students prepare for their future careers by offering a variety of work based learning opportunities, internships, and job shadowing. Additionally, students can take advantage of the program’s many resources, which include career talks from local businesses and guidance from experienced mentors. This type of support isn’t offered at every school, but it is a wonderful addition to this already impressive list of extracurricular activities.
Performance
For such a small school, Staten Island Technical High School has a lot to offer. Its acceptance rate and cutoff scores are high, students take a wide variety of Advanced Placement courses, and it has a robust extracurricular program that includes strong athletics, theater, community service, and over 80 clubs and affinity groups.
The teachers at Tech are very supportive of students and provide a lot of opportunities for students to learn. They also do a great job of empowering students to lead and participate, whether it’s in class or during student-led activities. This environment encourages students to be open and honest with their peers, which is crucial for a healthy learning community.
As an added benefit, the school is located in the most diverse borough in New York City, and students are exposed to many different perspectives through their classes and extracurriculars. This is important because it helps them to understand other cultures and perspectives and to appreciate the richness of diversity.
Moreover, Staten Island Technical is highly ranked when it comes to college readiness. 39% of students graduate with test scores that would be accepted at a CUNY without any extra help, and 55% take at least one college level course during their time there. This is a much higher percentage than the citywide averages of 29% and 40%.
Overall, Staten Island Technical is a top choice for students who want to study science and technology. Its high-performing students are often accepted into Ivy League schools and can go on to have successful careers in their fields. In addition, the school offers a lot of support for ELL students, including access to test accommodations and audition accommodation for LaGuardia High School.
The best way to get to Staten Island Technical High School is by bus or subway. Moovit makes it easy to find the right route, with real-time transit updates. You can also find prices and ride fares, or plan your trip ahead of time. All you need to do is download the Moovit app, or visit the website. It’s free, fast, and convenient!
