Kurt Hahn Expeditionary Learning School

Kurt Hahn Expeditionary Learning School is an NYC Outward Bound School and a member of the NY Performance Standards Consortium, known for its mission to challenge, engage, and empower young people through hands-on, project-based learning with real-world applications. The school aims to develop informed, skilled, and courageous leaders, preparing students for college, citizenship, and the workplace. A distinctive feature is the use of performance-based assessment tasks (PBATs) in lieu of most NY State Regents exams, with the exception of the ELA Regents. The school participates in Career Readiness and Modern Youth Apprenticeship (CRMYA) and Future Ready NYC (FRNYC) initiatives, offering courses in social and human services and opportunities for paid apprenticeships in tech, finance, and business. Students also benefit from a unique “Explore Week,” where they choose a class and spend the week exploring the city. The school's small size, with an enrollment well below the citywide 25th percentile, fosters a close-knit community and allows for personalized attention. The four-year graduation rate of 91.0% is at the citywide median. However, the college enrollment rate of 47.6% is below the citywide 25th percentile, and the English Regents pass rate of 36.8% is notably low, indicating areas for academic growth, particularly as many students arrive performing below grade level. Parent surveys show very high satisfaction, with 100% positive responses. While many students report feeling safe on campus, student surveys indicate some concerns regarding bullying, physical fights, and drug or alcohol use.