BEACON HIGH SCHOOL
NEW YORK, NY 10023
Overview
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.
Diversity in Admissions (DIA): Priority to applicants eligible for free or reduced price lunch for 66% of seats
Performance
- 98% of students graduate in four years
- 83% of students enroll in college or career programs
- 92% of students feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms, locker room, and cafeteria
- 89% of students feel that this school offers a wide enough variety of programs, classes, and activities to keep them interested in school
See the School Quality Snapshot
Academics
- Performance-Based Assessment Tasks (PBATs)
ADVANCED 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)
DIPLOMA ENDORSEMENTS
NYS Seal of Biliteracy
Activities
Africana, Art Club, Asian Student Union, B'DAT Choir, B'DAT Freshman Project, B'DAT Mainstage Theatre, B'DAT Tech Teams,Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Beacon Beat (School Newspaper), Beacon Ink (School Magazine), Marine Biology Club, Mock Trial, Pan-Asian 'Anime' Club, Current Events, Debate Team, Dungeons and Dragons, Entrepreneurship Club, Environment Club, Film Club, French Club, Game Makers Club, Girl Up, Girls in Government, Girls Who Code, Integrate Beacon (desegregation & inclusion work), Jewish Student Alliance, Key Club, Korean and Chinese Language Culture Club, Latinx Student Union, Live Poets Society, Math Club, Medical Club, Model Congress, Photography, Podcast Club, Policy and Philosophical Journal, Project ABLE (raises funds to promote literacy and education in East Africa), SAT Math Prep, Spanish Club, Stock Market Club, Student Government, Students Demand Action for Gun Safety, Stylemakers Fashion Club, Sunshine Society (Wellness Club), The Moth (Storytelling Club), Upcycling Club (Recycling Art Club), Young Democrats
SCHOOL SPORTS
Climbing, Climbing, Dance, Dance, Step, Table Tennis, Ultimate Frisbee
PSAL SPORTS - GIRLS
Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Fencing, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball
PSAL SPORTS - BOYS
Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Tennis
Accessibility
- Fully Accessible
- Building Accessibility Profile
Other Features
- Diversity in Admissions
Selective Program
1449
| Grade | Enrollment |
|---|---|
| 9 | 342 |
| 10 | 379 |
| 11 | 379 |
| 12 | 349 |
| Total enrollment | 1449 |
Source: 2022-23 Enrollment Database: BEDS Day Enrollment Table
| Subject / Grade | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| Algebra I (Common Core) | 24 | 19 |
| Biology | 32 | 21 |
| Chemistry | 30 | 25 |
| ELA III (Common Core) | 26 | 20 |
| Geometry (Common Core) | 32 | 22 |
| Physics | 28 | 25 |
| World History and Geography (New Framework) | 27 | 21 |
Source: 2022-23 Student and Educator Database: Table: Average Class Size
Source: 2022-23 Enrollment Database; Table: Demographic Factors
| Category | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| Percent of economically disadvantaged students | 45% | 76% |
| Percent of migrant students | 0% | 0% |
| Percent of English language learners | 1% | 15% |
| Percent of students with disabilities | 22% | 23% |
| Percent of homeless students | 2% | 9% |
| Percent of students in foster care | 0% | 1% |
| Percent of students with a parent in the armed forces | 0% | 0% |
| Percent of students with free lunch | 42% | 73% |
| Percent of students with reduced price lunch | 3% | 3% |
Source: 2022-23 Enrollment Database; Table: Demographic Factors
| School | City | School Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total number of teachers | 90 | 214159 | |
| Percent of teachers with 4 or more years of experience | 71% | 76% | |
| Percent of principals with 4 or more years of experience | 100% | 76% | |
| Percent of teachers teaching in their field of certification | 91% | 91% | |
| Retention rate of teachers with fewer than 5 years experience | 100% | 78% | |
| Teacher retention rate | 100% | 86% |
Source: 2022-23 Report Card Database: Tables: 1) Inexperienced Teachers and Principals; 2) Teachers Teaching Out of Certification
Source: 2022-23 Student and Educator Database: Table: Staff
| School | State | School Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attendance Rate | 93% | 91% | 93 |
| Suspension Rate | 0% | 4% | 100 |
Source: 2022-23 Student and Educator Database: Tables: 1) Student Attendance 2) Student Suspensions
| Percent scoring at or above 65 | Percent scoring at or above 85 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Total Tested | School | City | School Rating | |
| Regents Common Core Algebra I | 1 | null% | 56% | null% | |
| Regents Common Core English Language Art | 377 | 100% | 71% | 90% | |
Source: 2022-23 School Report Card Database; Table: Annual Regents Exams/ Year: 2022-23
Table: The percent of students earning passing (65) or passing with distinction (85) scores on the following Regents Exams
For English Language Arts, Math and Social Studies Exams
NYC Level 3: Students with scores at Performance Level 3 will have scaled scores equivalent to between 65 and 75. That’s sufficient for a Regents’ diploma under current standards, but is officially defined as only “partially” meeting Common Core expectations.
NYC Level 5: The top tier, Performance Level 5 or a score of 85 or above, means a student “exceeds Common Core expectations.” It is analogous to what currently is considered “mastery level” of a subject or with distinction.
For Science Exams
NYC Level 3: Students with scores at Performance Level 3 will have scaled scores equivalent to between 65 and 75. That’s sufficient for a Regents’ diploma under current standards, but is officially defined as only “partially” meeting Common Core expectations.
NYC Level 4: The top tier, Performance Level 4 or a score of 85 or above, means a student “exceeds Common Core expectations.” It is analogous to what currently is considered “mastery level” of a subject or with distinction.
| School | State | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of high school Graduates | 337 | 172502 |
| Percent of students who graduated | 98% | 86% |
| Percent of students who graduated with a local diploma | 0% | 1% |
| Percent who earned Regents Diploma | 98% | 50% |
| Percent with Regents diploma with advanced designation | 0% | 36% |
| Percent dropped out | 0% | 5% |
| Percent entered a GED program | 0% | 1% |
| Percent of student still enrolled at school | 1% | 8% |
| Percent of students who earned a non-diploma credential | 0% | 1% |
Source: 2022-23 Graduation Rate Database 2023: Table: GRAD_RATE_AND_OUTCOMES_2023