New York Harbor School

The Urban Assembly New York Harbor School (Harbor School) is a public, maritime high school located on Governors Island in New York City. Harbor School was founded in 2003 by The Urban Assembly, South Street Seaport Museum and Waterkeeper Alliance as part of Mayor Bloomberg’s effort to replace larger, under-performing schools with smaller, theme-based schools. It was located in the former Bushwick High School for seven years. The school became the first permanent tenant on Governors Island in September 2010. As the name implies, Harbor School has a special curriculum based upon New York City’s maritime experience. Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are offered in Aquaculture, Marine Biology Research, Marine Affairs, Marine Systems Technology, Ocean Engineering, Professional Diving, Vessel Operations, and Welding & Fabrication. The goal of these programs is for every Harbor School student to graduate with an acceptance letter at college and a technical credential in a marine field. MISSION To provide a college-preparatory education built upon New York City’s maritime experience that instills in students the ethics of environmental stewardship and the skills associated with careers on the water. EDUCATIONAL PRINCIPLES - The marine world provides an ideal forum for an education based on excellence, discipline, and interdependence. - Hands-on, inquiry-based learning in a natural environment stimulates curiosity, critical thinking, and vision – all of which help to improve student outcomes. - All students have the desire and intellect to reach their highest academic standards when given the right opportunities and clear expectations. CORE VALUES - All students should have access to New York waterways. - College should be a real option for all students. - Partnerships are key to providing relevant, on-water experiences. - The environment should be left better than it’s found. - A school is only as successful as its students.