High School for Environmental Studies

My son wants to be a Marine Biologist and got his acceptance letter to The High School for Environmental Studies after their open house. I sent an emailed during the break requesting a visit upon return. Imagine my surprise they said NO! I called the Guidance Officer who said No! I asked for the Parent Coordinator and explained to her that I/We just wanted a chance to enter and maybe meet the office staff to just get a feel for the school. I was very honest that the reviews online wasn't good and I wanted to give them a 2nd chance. She made excuses and said she thought the reviews were removed as she requested previously and that this is NYC" things happen". The best part is when she finally said yes and I requested the next morning,,,, she said no "she's taking a personal day off", I asked for the morning after that at 10am and her response was that I should call first. I called that morn at 8.45 and 9.15 to confirm and I got no response, she finally called at 10.45 not realizing it was me (she used call log) after her shock she asked if I can be there in 1/2 hr or it can't be done. Well... I Quit and sent my son for the 2nd round Choices it's better now than Sept. Thanks!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Hello my name is Bent Yitzhari, I graduated in 2012.Environmental Studies is just what you make of it. If you do well and study hard then i promise you that you will get accepted into a good college. Do not blame the school, blame the students for not caring about their lives. P.S i had the best time of my life!

I am currently a Junior at High School for Environmental Studies. I have had a disappointing experience at this school. I came into HSES expecting challenging courses and a welcoming school environment. So far, I have yet to receive either. HSES puts certain students in an Honors Academy program that they usually remain in for their four years in the school. It is nearly impossible to get into this program if you were not selected at first. I think the program is extremely unfair because only those students get access to AP courses. Ever since my freshman year I have had to fight to get into honors classes and/or AP courses. Why should a student who has proved herself over and over again be kept out of the classes she deserves to be in. Additionally, it is so hard to voice your opinion unless you scream and shout it to the principal herself. This school frustrates me and makes me regret not transferring as the days go by. I did not and continue to not enjoy my experience at HSES. There are a list of other things I dislike about the school but unfortunately there are not enough characters available for me to express my frustration. I would not recommend HSES.
—Submitted by a student

School is not just for those looking to focus on the environment though there are a lot of opportunities to get involved from that area. There are wonderful teachers and content to be taught. There is a very diverse student body.

My advice is always be careful what you are wishing for.....especially for those who are applying for high school or people who are looking to transfer.....if there's a better option I suggest you take it.....

There was an incident where a student that was harassing my daughter convinced staff to clip the lock on my daughter's locker claiming it was his locker. He stole my daughter's property and the principal did nothing. I requested a meeting with the principal and staff and was told that if I pursued the matter, the staff who clipped the lock would lose his pension. I was guilted out of going forward. The student continued to bully my daughter and it turned into a huge problem for my daughter as some of her friends took his side since he was never penalized for the incident.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has been getting worse and worse. The students are very disrespectful and the school seems to be alright with that. There are a few students who care but the majority win them over. The school administration(teachers, principal, staff, and guards) are to blame for this school going down. If they cared about the school they would do something to change it, but they dont.
—Submitted by a student

My friends son recently graduated from the school, and she was happy he was out, I'm not sure why the school has taken a down fall, it's not what it use to be. It use to be a caring environment where teachers and students cared about education(I know because a long time ago my daughter spend the best four high school years a teen can have) . I believe administration needs to put its foot down and take over the school instead of the students having the last word. Parents, educators, and future students need to know that once this school use to be great school, not sure why it changed.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a recently departed teacher from this school. Maybe I'm biased, but most of the teachers there are very good. Nonetheless, I'm surprised by some of the positive reviews. The Principal is universally despised and is an impediment to the success of the school. We lost a lot of good teachers every year, and the vast majority of those that are left would leave the moment a decent opportunity opened up. All for the same reason - escape Shirley Matthews. Even her own "cabinet," the Assistant Principals, do not trust her. Everything is personal with her, nothing is business. Disagree with her once and you become a target. No one can understand how she has held this position for so long. The DOE must know. Perhaps they are ok with a decent school, even though it could easily be an excellent school. Eventually it will all implode. Maybe this year? Maybe next? I would NEVER send my child here.
—Submitted by a teacher

Honestly the school does not live up to your individual expectations. Though it has a smaller student population than most high schools, the hallways are still way too crowded which causes tardiness. There are some dedicated teaachers but the others are not motivating you in anyway. As a student, I was disappointed, expecting a school where intelligence was a key factor in acceptance, to find that almost anyone was let in. It saddens me to see irresponsible and unwilling young minds roaming the hallways and being loud. I honestly regret my choice to attend this school and now it's too late. Everyday i cannot wait to graduate not because it's a highlight in my life but in fact because i want to put my 4 years here behind me as quickly as possible. The school is challenging i admit but it drains its students. i have yet to experience anything memorable.
—Submitted by a student

My teen ateends there nad she is very happy considering she must deal with ignorance from other students that feel they don't need an education they rather population. overall my teen is happy and that puts a smile on my face :)
—Submitted by a parent

this is my first year in the school and i'll have to say i've been here for about a month and i still don't like it. it's very boring! i was expecting a school i could learn while having fun. the hallways are wayy toooo crowded and i just wouldn't recommended it to anyone. you also have to pay for lunch $1.25 a day. that's 6.25 a week, making it about 25 dollars you have to invest in lunch that is suppose to be freee. the bathrooms are closed the first 10 minutes and the last 10 minutes of every period!..what happens when you are having a emergency? honestly.. i really wouldn't recommend this school to anyone. if you are willing to put up with all of that then yeah, academically.. it varies on the teacher u get. you just have to pray you get a good one.
—Submitted by a student

it provides the students so much opportunities
—Submitted by a student

Its only my first week of school and i feel so welcomed. I love my AP teachers and i enjoy going to school because my environment is so caring,socially & academic wise and we care for the environment as well.
—Submitted by a student

this high school has a lot of excellent teachers
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school, i made tons of friend my first 3 weeks now im a junior and its still awesome, the teachers are nice and so are the deans, you can somehow always find help in this school
—Submitted by a student

Best School Ever. It has it's highs and lows but the highs outweight the low. A great range of programs and best of all a flexible schedule. The Honor Academy Program is really strict and has tons of work but the normal classes are just as good. You won't regret going here.
—Submitted by a student

Hses is one of the greatest schools out there. In this school i really feel safe. Also this school knows that keeping their students informed on what is going on in the school, is one of their top priorities. Yeah it maybe a B school, but its only from the kids that dont care about school. Just come to Hses for one day and there will be a smile on your face at the end of the day.
—Submitted by a student

I came to this school thinking that my life was over but with the amazing things that this school has done to help me i only have good things to say. you may see some data that says HSES is just a B school but i can asure you that we are better then then that. Beacon high school is also a B school and is great in its own way but in a big school like HSES only the students who can handle some independance but are willing to get help when they need it will fit in. we need better students like myself who are willing to learn and excel.
—Submitted by a student

the honors program is excellent but the normal program is less than desired
—Submitted by a parent