Townsend Harris High School is a public magnet high school for the humanities in the borough of Queens in New York City. Students and alumni often refer to themselves as "Harrisites." 1904 (MCMIV) was a leap year starting on a Friday (see link for calendar). ... Year 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar). ... Educational institutions are often categorised along several dimensions. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Several landmarks from two New York Worlds Fairs still stand in Flushing Meadows, including the US Steel Unisphere Flushing is a neighborhood within the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... “NY” redirects here. ... School colors are the colors chosen by a school to represent it on uniforms and other items of identification. ... Millie, once mascot of the City of Brampton, is now the Brampton Arts Councils representative. ... Genera Accipiter Micronisus Melierax Urotriorchis Erythrotriorchis The term hawk refers to birds of prey in any of three senses: Strictly, to mean any of the species in the bird sub-family Accipitrinae in the genera Accipiter, Micronisus, Melierax, Urotriorchis, and Megatriorchis. ... A yearbook, also known as an annual, is a book to record, highlight, and commemorate the past year of a school or a book published annually. ... A website (alternatively, Web site or web site) is a collection of Web pages, images, videos and other digital assets that is hosted on one or several Web server(s), usually accessible via the Internet, cell phone or a LAN. A Web page is a document, typically written in HTML... In the U.S. system of education, a magnet school is a public school which offers innovative courses, specialized training, etc. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The humanities are those academic disciplines which study the human condition using methods that are largely analytic, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural and social sciences. ... Queens is geographically the largest of the five boroughs of New York City in the United States, and the most ethnically diverse county in the U.S. It is coterminous with Queens County in the State of New York and is located on western Long Island. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ...

History

The school is named for Townsend Harris, who besides his many diplomatic accomplishments had helped found the Free Academy of the City of New York, later to become City College, and was a strong proponent of free education. The Free Academy's introductory year gradually evolved and in 1904 became a full fledged, 3-year high school, housed on three floors of what is now Baruch College (p.10 of [1]). This original incarnation, known as Townsend Harris Hall, survived until 1942 when it was closed by mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. LaGuardia's officially stated reason was budgetary concerns, but it has been suggested that he had ulterior movites.[2] He later admitted that closing the school had been a mistake. Townsend Harris (1804–1878) was a successful New York City merchant and minor politician, and the first United States Consul General to Japan. ... City College of The City University of New York The City College of The City University of New York (known more commonly as the City College of New York or simply City College) is a senior college of the City University of New York, in New York City. ... Baruch College is a public university and one of the constituent colleges comprising the City University of New York. ... Fiorello Henry LaGuardia (December 11, 1882–September 20, 1947) was the Mayor of New York from 1934 to 1945. ...

Townsend Harris High School was refounded in 1984 thanks largely to the efforts of alumni of the original school, who had begun the process in 1980. The first principal was Dr. Malcolm Largmann, a former high school English teacher with a strong belief in a classically styled education who also handpicked the school's original faculty. The new school began life in a small building on Parsons Boulevard, originally intended as a temporary home until a permanent facility could be realized. In early 1995, the school moved into a new building located on the campus of Queens College. The high school is seen as a smaller and more humanities-centered alternative to the Specialized High Schools of New York City. Year 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar). ... Queens College, Queens College or Queens College is the name of more than one institution, see: Queens College, Cambridge Queens College, Charlotte Queens College, Hong Kong Queens College, London Queens College, New York Queens College, Nassau The Queens College, Oxford Queens College was the... The Specialized High Schools of New York City are selective public high schools, established and run by the New York City Department of Education to serve the needs of academically and artistically gifted students. ...

Admissions

Originally entrance to the school was based on competitive examination. [3]

Today approximately 7000 students compete for approximately 250 seats in the freshman class each year on their middle school grades, standardized test scores and even attendance records. Admissions is available to all New York City residents in 8th grade, and in the 9th grade to only 25 students. These include public and private school students in all 5 boroughs.

The majority of students are accepted as incoming 9th graders. It is even more difficult to be accepted as an incoming sophomore. The incoming freshman class is selected to reflect the city population in terms geographic and cultural makeup. Academic performance, attendance, and disciplinary records are all examined. However, it is more difficult for incoming female freshmen to be selected due to the high percentage of females in the student body. The approximate incoming female freshmen's average is 97. For males, it is approximately 94.

It is required that applicants have an above 90 average to even consider applying to Townsend Harris. Simultaneously, students must have a minimum standardized reading and math score of 90th percentile. It is also required that students have excellent attendance records and punctuality. Being continually absent (more than 3 times or so) may hurt a student's chances of being accepted.

A small number of seats are available for rising 10th graders, but this is dependent on the number of students who decide to leave the school during freshman year. This number varies every year. Once again, prospective students should apply in 9th grade and list Townsend Harris as their first choice on their NYC High School Application form.

Initially the admissions process included an interview and a writing component, but this was eliminated by 1988. Upon matriculation, students take a writing and math exam.

Academics

The curriculum of the school is significantly enhanced from that of the standard New York City public high school. Classes are generally considered to be markedly more difficult and are at the "honors" level across the board. In addition to the standard three year Regents English program, all students take a "fifth year" of English as freshman in the form of classes in linguistics and writing processes. In addition to the standard modern language requirement which may be fulfilled with classes in Spanish, French or Japanese, students must have a two year classical language requirement which can be fulfilled by classes in Latin or classical Greek (in addition, Hebrew is offered as an elective course). There is also a rigorous physical education requirement, especially freshman gym, and a senior project required of students. A variety of electives and AP classes are also offered to students. As of 2004, AP World History became a mandatory subject and replaced the Regents-level course. Every subject requires students to execute at least one major project a year, with history classes requiring one per semester and English several per semester. These projects are referred to as "collaterals." New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ...

In the 2006-2007 school year, Townsend Harris is offering the following Advanced Placement (AP) classes: World History, United States History, Environmental Science, Psychology, Calculus AB, Computer Science, Japanese, Statistics, French Language, and Spanish Language. Acceptance into an AP class is based mostly on grades in previous coursework, though according to students acceptance to these courses seems quite arbitrary.^{[citation needed]} This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

The most notable feature of the school's curriculum is the senior "bridge year" program. Students in good standing may take up to 12 credits at Queens College at no cost to themselves. This includes a required humanities seminar co-taught by Harris teachers and Queens College faculty. Though the class is offered by the college, it is open exclusively to Harris students. The curriculum and format is fairly similar to the Great Books seminars required of liberal arts freshman at colleges around the world. Great Books refers to a curriculum and a book list. ...

Recently, a number of other New York City public high schools have been established that have similar "bridge year" programs. These include the High School of American Studies at Lehman College, Queens High School for the Sciences at York College, and Bard High School Early College. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Queens High School for the Sciences at York College (QHSSYC) is one of the nine specialized high schools in New York City that admit students based on their scores on the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test. ... Bard High School Early College (BHSEC), is an alternative public secondary school in New York City that allows five to six hundred highly motivated and scholastically strong students (approximately 65% of whom are female) to begin their college studies two years early. ...

Student body

In sharp contrast with the original school which was open to male students only, the new school has been dominated by female students from its inception, comprising approximately 70% of the student population.

As of 2005, the school's minority population is largely Asian, with the New York City Department of Education's "Asian and other" category making up 42.3% of the student body total, very nearly the same as the school's white population of 42.6%. Hispanic students comprise 8.9% and black students 6.2% of the school's population[4]. The Official Seal of the City of New York The New York City Department of Education is the branch of municipal government in New York City that manages the citys public school system. ...

The school maintains a near-100% graduation rate.

Tradition

Fitting this classical standard of education all new students are required to recite the Ephebic Oath during the Founders' Day ceremony, celebrated each fall. Students recapitulate the oath at the commencement ceremony upon their graduation. The translation employed by the school is as follows: The Ephebic Oath was an oath sworn by young men of ancient Athens upon induction into the Ephebic College, graduation from which was required to attain status as citizens. ...

I shall never bring disgrace to my city, nor shall I ever desert my comrades in the ranks; but I, both alone and with my many comrades, shall fight for the ideals and sacred things of the city.

I shall willingly pay heed to whoever renders judgment with wisdom and shall obey both the laws already established and whatever laws the people in their wisdom shall establish.

I, alone and with my comrades, shall resist anyone who destroys the laws or disobeys them.

I shall not leave my city any less but rather greater than I found it.

Miscellaneous

Discipline at the school is considered to be very strict by NYC Board of Education standards. Attendance rate is the highest in NYC. Scores on standardized examinations are also very high when compared to other public high schools. Townsend Harris has the highest percentage of students passing Regents exams in NYC.

The school newspaper is "The Classic." The yearbook is "The Crimson and Gold."

In 2000, Eileen F. Lebow published a history of the original school, The Bright Boys : A History of Townsend Harris High School (ISBN 0-313-31479-9).

Accomplishments

• Selected as a National School of Excellence in 1989.
• The Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Foundation named Harris a 21st Century School of Distinction in June 2004.[5] In December of that year, the school was named a Lighthouse School by the same organization.[6]
• Four-time recipient of the Let Freedom Ring Award for support of First Amendment rights.
• In 2005 and 2006, the school had the highest percentage of students passing Regents exams of any high school in the city.^{[citation needed]}
• 2006-2007 Highest Percentage Passing AP World History Scores in the USA for a Large School^{[citation needed] [1]} Source: College Board Advanced PLacement report to the nation 2007 Page 78 Teachers Charlene Levi, Aliza Sherman, John O'Malley http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/about/news_info/ap/2007/2007_ap-report-nation.pdf
• 2004-2007 NYSEF Expo Finalists
• 2007 Science Olympiad New York City Regional Winners
• 2007 Ranked #1 in the World on the National Latin Exam
• 2007 Intel ISEF Finalists
• 2007 Suffolk County Certamen and Bronx Science Certamen Lower Division Winners

Sports

• 22 years as Queens borough undefeated girls swimming champions.
• 2004 PSAL "B" Baseball Champions played at Shea Stadium.
• 2006 Girls Varsity Fencing City Champions
• 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 City Girls Varsity Swim Champions.
• 2005-2006 Boys Soccer Regular Season Undefeated Champions and 2007 Boys Soccer led by Raymond Adamkiewicz and starring MVP Tobin Varghese
• 2006-2007 Indoor Girls Track Champions
• 2006-2007 Guys Track Queens Champions led by Coach Rio

Notable Alumni

Nobel Laureates

• Herbert Hauptman '33
• Julian Schwinger '33
• Kenneth Arrow '36

Pulitzer Prize Winners Herbert A. Hauptman Dr. Hauptman is a world renowned mathematician who pioneered and developed a mathematical method that has changed the whole field of chemistry and opened a new era in research in determination of molecular structures of crystallized materials. ... Julian Seymour Schwinger (February 12, 1918 -- July 16, 1994) was an American theoretical physicist. ... Kenneth Joseph Arrow (born August 23, 1921) is an American economist, joint winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics with John Hicks in 1972, and the youngest person ever to receive this award, at 51. ...

• Herman Wouk '30
• Ira Gershwin
• Lawrence Cremin '41
• Frank Loesser
• Sidney Kingsley
• Richard Rodgers

Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom Herman Wouk (May 27, 1915 —) is a bestselling American author with a number of notable novels to his credit, including The Caine Mutiny, The Winds of War, and War and Remembrance. ... Ira Gershwin (6 December 1896 – 17 August 1983) was an American lyricist who collaborated with his younger brother, composer George Gershwin, to create some of the most memorable songs of the 20th century. ... Lawrence A. Cremin is a Pulitzer Prize winning author of the History of American Education. ... Image:FrankLoesser1. ... Sidney Kingsley (1906-1995) was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American dramatist. ... An autographed photo of Richard Rodgers Richard Charles Rodgers (June 28, 1902 – December 30, 1979) was one of the great composers of musical theater, best known for his song writing partnerships with Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein II. He wrote more than 900 published songs, and forty Broadway musicals. ...

• Eugene Lang '34
• Jonas Salk '31

Actors Eugene M. Lang or Gene Lang (In Hungarian: Láng Jenő) (New York City, 1919–) is a Hungarian-American philanthropist who founded REFAC Technology Development Corporation in 1951. ... Jonas Edward Salk (October 28, 1914 – June 23, 1995) was an American physician and researcher best known for the development of the first successful polio vaccine (the eponymous Salk vaccine). ...

• Edward G. Robinson '10
• Sam Jaffe
• Cornel Wilde
• Mason Adams
• Clifton Webb
• Bernie West

Members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame Edward Goldenberg Robinson (born Emanuel Goldenberg, Yiddish: עמנואל גולדנברג; December 12, 1893 – January 26, 1973) was an American stage and film actor of Romanian origin. ... The name Sam Jaffe can refer to: Sam Jaffe (1891-1984); American actor Sam Jaffe (1901-2000); Hollywood talent agent, studio executive, film producer This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Cornel Wilde Cornelius Louis Wilde (October 13, 1915 – October 16, 1989) was an American actor. ... Mason Adams (February 26, 1919 – April 26, 2005) was an American character actor. ... Mark Stevens and Clifton Webb in The Dark Corner Clifton Webb (November 19, 1889 – October 13, 1966) was an American actor. ... The Songwriters Hall of Fame is an arm of the National Academy of Popular Music. ...

• Ervin Drake '35 - also composed the school's Alma Mater
• Irving Caesar '10
• Yip Harburg
• Richard Rodgers
• Ira Gershwin
• Frank Loesser

Politics Ervin Drake (born April 3, 1919 in New York City) is an American songwriter. ... Irving Caesar (born July 4, 1895 in New York, died December 18, 1996 in New York) originally known as Isidor Caesar, was a prominent Jewish-American lyricist who wrote lyrics for Swanee, Sometimes Im Happy, Crazy Rhythm, and Tea for Two, one of the most frequently recorded tunes ever... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... An autographed photo of Richard Rodgers Richard Charles Rodgers (June 28, 1902 – December 30, 1979) was one of the great composers of musical theater, best known for his song writing partnerships with Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein II. He wrote more than 900 published songs, and forty Broadway musicals. ... Ira Gershwin (6 December 1896 – 17 August 1983) was an American lyricist who collaborated with his younger brother, composer George Gershwin, to create some of the most memorable songs of the 20th century. ... Image:FrankLoesser1. ...

• Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.

Also A rare spoken word album by Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. ...

• Irwin Edman
• William Steig '22
• Army Archerd '37
• Samuel Menashe '42
• Leon Levy '42
• Maurice Paprin '36
• Ishle Yi Park '95

IRWIN EDMAN (November 28, 1896 – September 4, 1954) was an American philosopher and professor of philosophy. ... William Steig (November 14, 1907 – October 3, 2003) was a prolific American cartoonist, sculptor and, later in life, an author of popular childrens literature. ... Army Archerd, columist, Variety. ... Samuel Menashe (born 16 September 1925) is an American poet. ... Leon Levy (1926–2003) founded the mutual fund manager Oppenheimer & Co. ... Maurice Paprin was a New York City real estate developer and social activist. ...

External links

• Townsend Harris High School Offical Website
• The American Enterprise: 14 Model Schools-Townsend Harris High School
• Townsend Harris Alumni Association
• PSAL School Profile
• Inside Schools' Profile of Townsend Harris