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New Utrecht High School

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Coordinates: 40°36′48″N 74°00′11″W / 40.6132°N 74.003°W / 40.6132; -74.003
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New Utrecht High School
Address
Map
1601 80th St

Brooklyn
,
New York
11214

United States
Coordinates40°36′48″N 74°00′11″W / 40.6132°N 74.003°W / 40.6132; -74.003
Information
TypePublic
EstablishedSeptember 13, 1915
School districtNew York City Geographic District #20
School codeK445
NCES School ID360015102036[1]
PrincipalSvetlana Litvin
Teaching staff224.54 (on an FTE basis)[1]
Grades9-12
Enrollment3,125 (2023–24)[2]
Student to teacher ratio15[2]
Campus typeUrban
Color(s)Green and White
   
MascotUtes
Websitewww.newutrechthighschoolnyc.com

New Utrecht High School is a public high school located in Bensonhurst, a neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. The school is operated by the New York City Department of Education under District 20 and serves students of grades 9 to 12.

A total of 40.5% of students are Asian-American, constituting a plurality of the student population. The school 12th out of 542 high schools in New York City for number of students in the 2022–23 academic year.

History

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New Utrecht High School was established in 1915 as an offshoot of the nearby coeducational Bay Ridge High School. New Utrecht High School became an all-boys school, while Bay Ridge High School became an all-girls school.

The school's first location was a wooden building on 86th Street and 18th Avenue, with a population of 350 students. Irving Hazen was the founding principal, and he adopted the green and white colors of his alma mater, Dartmouth College, as the school's colors.

In November 1924, the school moved to its present location on 80th Street and 16th Avenue, with 2,300 students. In February of the following year, girls were admitted, resulting in the school becoming coeducational. Over the next few years, the school continued to grow, consisting of a main building and four annexes, with a student population of nearly 11,000. It was the largest student body in the world at the time.[3][4] In 1930, with a student population of 9,000, it was reported that 10 communists attacked the student government while they were debating.[5]

New Utrecht High School was the scene of several racial conflicts between blacks and whites within the community in the 1970s to 1990s. In 1974, 300 black students stormed the school after a fight between a black student and a white student ended up with the former being injured, spurring rumors that it was a racial attack.[6] In 1990, a black student was shot by a group of white students stemming from an incident in the locker room.[7]

In the 2000s, New Utrecht High School underwent a major overhaul. It added a new, two-story cafeteria building, which replaced the old cafeteria located in the main building. The old cafeteria was subsequently turned into classroom space. A new entrance was also created, accompanied by a corridor connecting the cafeteria building with the main building.[8]

Today, New Utrecht High School functions as a zoned school primarily serving students living in the neighborhoods of Bensonhurst and Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, New York.

As of 2024, the principal of the school is Svetlana Litvin.

Name Service began Service ended Years
Svetlana Litvin 2021 Active 3[a]
Maureen Goldfarb 2006 2021 15
Howard J. Lucks[9] 1997 2006 9
Allen Leibowitz[10] 1985 1997 12
Michael A. Russo[6] 1971 1985 14
Isaac Hersh[11][12][13] 1957 1971 14
Francis J. Griffith[14][15][16] 1946–1950, 1955 1957 6
Abraham H. Lass[17] 1950 1955 5
Leo R. Ryan[18][19][20][21] 1942 1946 4
Maurice E. Rogalin[22][23][24] 1936 1942 6
Harry A. Potter[25][26][27] 1917 1936[b] 19
Irving A. Hazen[28][29] 1915 1917 2

Demographics

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A plurality of New Utrecht's student body is Asian-American, reflecting the high Asian population of Bensonhurst and the surrounding neighborhoods. A significant portion of the student population is Hispanic. Both the Asian and Hispanic percentages have increased and continue to do so, while percentages for White and Black students have consistently decreased over the past decade.

There is a large gender gap among the student body. In the 2023-24 school year, 55.0%, or 1,720 students, were male; only 45.0%, or 1,405 students, were female. In addition, 16.4% of students have disabilities, 18.3% are English Language Learners, 79.4% are in poverty, and 79.9% are considered to be part of the Economic Needs Index.[30]

Student demographics[30][31][32]
Race Students, 2003 Percentage, 2003 Students, 2013 Percentage, 2013 Students, 2023 Percentage, 2023 Change [c]
Asian 738 26.1% 1,253 38.0% 1,265 40.5% Increase 14.4%
Hispanic 666 23.5% 947 28.7% 1,117 35.7% Increase 12.2%
White 1,124 39.7% 933 28.3% 626 20.0% Decrease 19.7%
Black 302 10.7% 144 4.4% 69 2.2% Decrease 8.5%
Other 3 0.1% 17 0.5% 48 1.5% Increase 1.4%
Total 2,833 100% 3,294 100% 3,125 100% –

Enrollment

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Total number of students[30][32][31][33][34][d]
Year Students Change
1997–1998 2,734 N/A
1998–1999 2,594 Decrease 140
1999–2000 2,580 Decrease 14
2000–2001 2,643 Increase 63
2001–2002 2,728 Increase 85
2002–2003 2,602 Decrease 126
2003–2004 2,833 Increase 231
2004–2005 2,934 Increase 101
2005–2006 3,067 Increase 133
2006–2007 2,989 Decrease 78
2007–2008 3,007 Increase 18
2008–2009 2,821 Decrease 186
2009–2010 2,937 Increase 116
2010–2011 3,228 Increase 291
2011–2012 3,259 Increase 31
2012–2013 3,262 Increase 3
2013–2014 3,294 Increase 32
2014–2015 3,469 Increase 175
2015–2016 3,545 Increase 76
2016–2017 3,613 Increase 68
2017–2018 3,547 Decrease 66
2018–2019 3,427 Decrease 120
2019–2020 3,480 Increase 53
2020–2021 3,572 Increase 92
2021–2022 3,336 Decrease 236
2022–2023 3,118 Decrease 218
2023–2024 3,125 Increase 7

Curriculum

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New Utrecht High School offers a variety of classes to fulfill the credit requirements for New York City students, including electives such as art and music classes, the student government, and math team. Most academic classes are available at the Honors level for higher-achieving students, and the school offers many Advanced Placement courses.[35]

Academies

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There are several academies at New Utrecht High School, some of which offer employment-oriented training in specialized fields, which include:

  • Academy of Business and Technology
  • Academy of Medical Professions and Health Careers
  • Academy of Legal Studies
  • Academy of Hospitality and Tourism
  • Academy of Art and Design
  • Academy of Asian Studies
  • Academy of Computer Science
  • Honors Academy

Some of the academies are associated with NAF, a non-profit organization originally known as the National Academy Foundation.

Proficiency

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The graduation rate in June 2022 was 73.8%, a decline from 81.2% in June 2021 and 85.1% in June 2020.[36]

During the 2021–22 school year, 44% of students were classified as chronically absent by the New York State Department of Education, including over 57% of Hispanic students and almost 79% of black students. In comparison, around 54% of white students were chronically absent and just under 24% of Asian students, suggesting strong inequities in school attendance.[37]

Regents scores

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The following table lists a report of Regents scores from June 2023.[38]

Examination Students tested Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Proficient (Levels 3–5) Proficiency compared to state
English Language Arts 29% 17% 15% 25% 16% 28% 68% Decrease 9%
Algebra I 25% 20% 21% 37% 12% 11% 59% Decrease 6%
Geometry 24% 36% 16% 27% 8% 14% 49% Decrease 4%
Algebra II 12% 33% 13% 32% 12% 10% 54% Decrease 10%
Living Environment 20% 26% 14% 43% 17% [e] 60% Decrease 6%
Earth Science 10% 37% 16% 34% 13% [e] 47% Decrease 18%
Chemistry 16% 28% 21% 40% 12% [e] 51% Decrease 14%
Physics 4% 21% 20% 44% 15% [e] 59% Decrease 9%
Global History and Geography II 26% 13% 18% 39% 16% 14% 69% Decrease 5%
United States History and Government 21% 11% 17% 37% 31% 4% 72% Decrease 8%

SAT scores

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The mean SAT score among New Utrecht students in Spring 2022 was a 936, with a 457 in English and a 459 in Mathematics.[39] This is over 100 points below the national average of 1050.[40]

Extracurricular activities

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Clubs

[edit]

Several clubs are available for the students of New Utrecht High School, such as the Green Team, Newspaper, the Photography Club, and the Science Olympiad Team.[41] Many after-school activities are coordinated by the Chinese-American Planning Council, which offers programs to students with the goal of advancing the Asian-American community of New Utrecht.

Events

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A few special events and productions are held at New Utrecht High School:

  • AAPI Club Fair
  • Anime Event
  • AP/College Now Fair
  • Art and Music Night
  • Chinese New Year Show
  • Club Fair
  • Fashion Show
  • International Show

Student government

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New Utrecht High School has a student government class which functions as an elective credit for students. Members are responsible for approving funds for clubs and organizing a School Spirit Week, Thanksgiving Dinner, Toy Drive, and other annual school-wide events.

For nearly a century, the student government positions were mayor, deputy mayor, secretary, treasurer, and student representatives from each grade. The mayoral theme was a longstanding tradition that stemmed from the fact that the neighborhood of New Utrecht was named by Dutch settlers after the city of Utrecht in the Netherlands.

In 2015, the student government changed the name of the two significant positions of mayor and deputy mayor to student body president and vice president. Beginning in Fall 2023, the roles of student president and vice president were abolished and replaced with a council, or group of students. Each member holds an equal role in the student government.

Notable alumni

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[edit]

New Utrecht High School is the venue for key scenes in the 1947 movie It Happened in Brooklyn, starring Frank Sinatra, Kathryn Grayson, Jimmy Durante, and Peter Lawford.

The front and rear views of the school building were used in the opening and closing scenes of the TV sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter, which starred alumnus Gabe Kaplan.

[edit]
  • Main entrance, 2023
    Main entrance, 2023
  • View from 81st St. and 16th Ave., 2023
    View from 81st St. and 16th Ave., 2023
  • 79th St. student entrance, 2023
    79th St. student entrance, 2023
  • View of the field from 80th St., 2023
    View of the field from 80th St., 2023
  • Rear of the building, 2021
    Rear of the building, 2021
  • Mural on the field, 2021
    Mural on the field, 2021
  • View of the train from the field, 2021
    View of the train from the field, 2021
  • The entranceway of the school, 2021
    The entranceway of the school, 2021
  • 79th St. student entrance, 2021
    79th St. student entrance, 2021
  • The side of the school, 2013
    The side of the school, 2013
  • The entranceway of the school, 2013
    The entranceway of the
    school, 2013
  • The rear of the school, 2013
    The rear of the school, 2013
  • The school in 2003
    The school in 2003

Notes

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  1. ^ As of August 2024
  2. ^ It's unlikely but possible that there was another principal from 1932 to 1936, as the latest documentation found of Harry Potter as principal is from 1932.
  3. ^ Change in percentage from 2003 to 2023
  4. ^ The table does not show available enrollment data from 1976 to 1998. You can view this data by clicking on the two references before this note.
  5. ^ a b c d Level 4 is the highest proficiency level for this examination.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Search for Public Schools - NEW UTRECHT HIGH SCHOOL (360015102036)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  2. ^ a b https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/articles/us-news-ranks-best-high-schools [bare URL]
  3. ^ Silberstein, Rachel (September 29, 2015). "Save The Date: New Utrecht High School Celebrates 100 Years On October 24". BKLYNER. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  4. ^ "New Utrecht High School – Brooklyn, NY"
  5. ^ "RED PROPAGANDA IN SCHOOL BARRED; New Utrecht High Principal Says Government Was Attacked in History Debate.FURTHER MEETINGS HALTEDStudent Body of 9,000 IncludesOnly 10 Communists, It Is Said—One Pupil Scores Policy". The New York Times. April 10, 1930. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Peterson, Iver (October 9, 1974). "300 Blacks Storm New Utrecht, Forcing High School to Close". The New York Times.
  7. ^ Hevesi, Dennis (March 28, 1990). "A Black Is Shot In a High School In Bensonshurst". The New York Times.
  8. ^ "Helpern Architects|New Utrecht High School"
  9. ^ Media, Greater (September 17, 2009). "RBR Board of Education names new superintendent – Central Jersey Archives". Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  10. ^ "They're older, grayer, better — and they'll meet at New Utrecht HS". Brooklyn Eagle. September 19, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  11. ^ The NUHS: October 23, 1961. October 23, 1961.
  12. ^ The NUHS: January 1965. January 1965.
  13. ^ "ISAAC HERSH". The New York Times. July 14, 1987. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  14. ^ "Francis J. Griffith, Educator, 79". The New York Times. May 21, 1988. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  15. ^ Griffith, Francis (1960). "Another Look at the Conant Report". The Bulletin of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. 44 (258): 59–62. doi:10.1177/019263656004425810. ISSN 2471-3317. S2CID 144516378.
  16. ^ "New Utrecht High School - Digital Collections - Brooklyn Public Library". www.bklynlibrary.org. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  17. ^ McFadden, Robert D. (March 18, 2001). "Abraham Lass, 93, Passionate Principal and Writer, Dies". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  18. ^ (Tm), e-Yearbook. com. "New Utrecht High School – Comet Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY), Class of 1941, Pages 1 – 17". e-yearbook.com. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  19. ^ "New Utrecht High School – Comet Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY), Class of 1946, Page 12 of 120 | online yearbooks". e-yearbook.com. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  20. ^ "In memoriam | Brooklyn Visual Heritage". www.brooklynvisualheritage.org. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  21. ^ "DR. LEO R. RYAN, 62, HEADED HIGH SCHOOL". The New York Times. June 28, 1966. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  22. ^ "New Utrecht High School – Comet Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY), Class of 1940, Pages 1 – 17". e-yearbook.com. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  23. ^ "CITY FIGHTS ROGALIN PLEA; Accused Principal's Request for Retirement Opposed in Court". The New York Times. May 19, 1942. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  24. ^ "The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York". Newspapers.com. April 2, 1942. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  25. ^ https://www.ourfamtree.org/records/principals.php/NY/Kings-Co/Brooklyn%2C-New-Utrecht-High-School [bare URL]
  26. ^ "New Utrecht High School – Comet Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY), Class of 1929, Pages 1 – 17".
  27. ^ "1918 New Utrecht..June".
  28. ^ "New Utrecht football — going back in time". October 3, 2022.
  29. ^ https://www.forgottenbooks.com/en/download/TheHighSchoolsofNewYorkCity_10159232.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  30. ^ a b c "Information and Data Overview". New York City Department of Education. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  31. ^ a b "ARCHIVE OF NEW UTRECHT HIGH SCHOOL REPORTS". New York State Department of Education. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  32. ^ a b "Archive: Enrollment Data". New York State Department of Education. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  33. ^ "Archive Enrollment Data 1994–2011".
  34. ^ "Archive Enrollment Data 1976–1994".
  35. ^ "AP Courses". New Utrecht High School. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  36. ^ "NEW UTRECHT HIGH SCHOOL – NEW YORK STATE REPORT CARD [2021–2022]". New York State Department of Education. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  37. ^ "NEW UTRECHT HIGH SCHOOL – NEW YORK STATE REPORT CARD [2021–2022]". New York State Department of Education. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  38. ^ "NEW UTRECHT HIGH SCHOOL – NEW YORK STATE REPORT CARD [2022–2023]". New York State Department of Education. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  39. ^ "SCHOOL PROFILE – TRANSCRIPT SUPPLEMENT FOR THE CLASS OF 2023" (PDF). New Utrecht High School. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  40. ^ "Average SAT Score: Full Statistics". BestColleges. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  41. ^ "Clubs & Events". New Utrecht High School. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  42. ^ "Troy Ave Sets up Scholarship at High School He Went to with Banga – XXL". June 13, 2016.
  43. ^ "New Utrecht (Brooklyn, NY) Baseball". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  44. ^ Levin, Jay. "Harold Martin, former Bergen County freeholder and state Assemblyman, dies", The Record (Bergen County), October 20, 2010. Accessed November 24, 2019. "Harold Martin was born in West New York and grew up in Brooklyn, where his family operated a successful menswear store. He graduated from New Utrecht High School and studied political science and economics at Rutgers University, from which he received bachelor's and master's degrees."
  45. ^ Carey, Benedict (September 14, 2018). "Walter Mischel, 88, Psychologist Famed for Marshmallow Test, Dies". The New York Times.
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