What are public schools in New York City like?

Question

I'm writing a story that takes place in NYC in a public junior high school. The only problem is that I've never been to NYC... are the public schools there generally nice? Are they in small buildings or large ones? Do they normally have scool uniforms? Any detailed information is appreciated!

Answer 1

No public school in NYC has enforced uniforms. I've only been to school in NYC so I don't really have anything to compare the experience to, but I would say that even though most people would imagine it to be a horrible experience, school isn't that bad here. Of course, there are bullies and gangs to worry about, but I suppose a lot of other states that deal with a lot of different ethnicities and large populations have the same problem (FL, CA, TX, etc.). As for size, my junior high school had four floors and took up an entire city block. I don't know exactly how that compares to schools elsewhere, but when you go to school in NYC it feels like everything is very compacted, like they struggled to make use of every last available inch. I suppose that has to do with the fact that there are so many people living here. It also had a large asphalt paved yard in the back that was enclosed by a very tall wire mesh fence. There are usually metal detectors at the front doors (though not every single school in the city has these - it depends on the neighborhood) and security is generally very tight.

I guess I should add that even though security is pretty tight, there is usually at least one fight per day somewhere in the school and kids do sneak weapons in (I was robbed by a thug wielding a screwdriver once). Skipping school and playing hookie are frowned upon by the police department, who patrol the areas around the schools for kids that are supposed to be in school but aren't. If they catch you cutting class, they throw you into the van, take you to a pre-determined location (usually another nearby school) and hold you for the remainder of the time you're supposed to be in school. But after they let you go, you can expect either a phone call or letter mailed to your house.

As for the classrooms, there are usually about 30 kids per class, though most rooms are split in half by temporary dividers that can roll back to create one big room. Some high schools also have more than once cafeteria (on different floors), but most junior high schools have one. I guess that's about it, well except for the fact that there aren't alot of trees around. No front yard, which means no grass. Overall, going to school in NYC is very impersonal. Sometimes, because of all the fences, gates, metal detectors and security, it feels like you're walking into a prison rather than a school. I'll edit the post and add anything else if it comes to me. Hope this helps your story.

Note: the above information is based on my experience in ONE junior high school, but I have found that other junior high schools in my neighborhod (as well as out of it) share many of the same qualities I expressed above. This does not mean that some schools aren't entirely different.

Answer 2

Well, having gone to one, I can tell you that the buildings are usually three or four floors. Nobody wears uniforms!

Usually you have a "homeroom" and then move to other classrooms throughout the day for your different subjects.

Lunch is in the cafeteria and then out into the schoolyard for recess.

Besides regular academic classes, there is also music, art, some shop classes, gym.

The population is usually diverse, as students come from various neighborhoods. They can be pretty big, having as many as 1,000 total students.

You should check out the various schools websites that can be found via the main NYC Board of Ed website.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

public schools in NYC are diverse, nice

but every school is different, you can't expect schools to be the same

Answer 5

well the junior highs here are crazy they bring guns and blades and here its not called junior high its called middle school.

Answer 6

no school uniforms, the builings are large,the children loud and nosiy,