The Queens institutions that were spared from closing include Newtown, Richmond Hill, Grover Cleveland and John Adams High Schools, PS 40 in Jamaica, PS/MS 147 in Cambria Heights and Computer Applications & Entrepreneurship High.
The DOE said that although the Campus Magnet school’s graduation rate has fallen from 62 percent to 51 percent over the last three years, its six-year graduation rate, which it did not disclose, was “far above average.”
“The school has a strong new principal who has gotten real investment from the staff and turned around the school’s safety culture,” a spokesman said in a statement.
City Councilman Ruben Wills (D-Jamaica) also said he will look into the proposals and work with the DOE to find a better solution for students. He urged the city to be forthcoming with parents and be mindful of their concerns.
“I’m not accepting any scenario unless it benefits our community,” he said.
Councilman James Sanders (D-Laurelton) agreed.
“We need to do better. We owe it to our children and our communities to get these priorities straight and get our schools back on track,” he said.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
