Facing History School, The

The Facing History School, serving grades 6 through 12, is known for its small, inclusive, and family-like atmosphere, emphasizing meaningful relationships and a supportive environment where every student is valued. Located in Hell's Kitchen, the school embraces a project-based learning model and restorative justice practices, utilizing a competency-based grading system that allows students to demonstrate mastery at their own pace. Parents and students frequently describe the faculty as caring and the community as supportive. For high school outcomes, the four-year graduation rate of 89.0% is around the citywide median. A notable strength is the college enrollment rate of 75.0%, which is well above the citywide median and near the 75th percentile. The English Regents pass rate is 74.1%. However, academic proficiency in middle school grades presents a significant concern, with only 18.0% of students demonstrating ELA proficiency and 7.0% in math, both well below citywide benchmarks. Student surveys indicate some challenges with bullying and physical altercations, and some students feel the restorative justice approach sometimes lacks sufficient consequences for disruptive behavior. The school offers SAT prep and advanced coursework, with all seniors participating in a "College 101" class for application and financial aid support.