Isn’t it remarkable that the Campus Magnet Educational Campus stands as a testament to transformation? This wasn’t always a place of multiple small schools. Once, it was Andrew Jackson High School.
Andrew Jackson High School faced closure in 1994. This closure was due to poor graduation rates and a history of violence. However, from the ashes of Andrew Jackson High School, the Campus Magnet Educational Campus rose in its place.
The Campus Magnet Educational Campus is located in Cambria Heights. It opened in 1994 with a unique concept. Instead of one large school, it became home to several smaller high schools. It was one of the first large schools in the city to undergo this transformation.
Today, the Campus Magnet Educational Campus houses four small high schools. They each focus on different professional themes. These include Math, Science Research and Technology Magnet High School known as MAST and Humanities and the Arts Magnet High School. Also at Campus Magnet are the Institute for Health Professions at Cambria Heights and the Benjamin Franklin High School for Finance and Information Technology.
Two other schools used to be here but closed because of poor performance. These were Law, Government and Community Service High School and Business, Computer Applications & Entrepreneurship High School. Both phased out in 2013 and graduated their last seniors in 2016.
The building itself has a history. It was built in 1937. The Andrew Jackson High School design was released in 1931 and approved in 1935. Construction began in November 1935. It sits on a quiet residential street. This design was based on Kirby Hall in Gretton England.
Interestingly, Andrew Jackson High School shared blueprints with other schools. Samuel J. Tilden High School and Abraham Lincoln High School are among them. The schools were designed as small campuses to create a collegiate atmosphere.
Upon entering the Campus Magnet Educational Campus, all students pass through metal detectors. This ensures a safe environment for learning. The schools share common facilities. These include an auditorium, a gym and a library. Also shared are a cafeteria and sports fields and teams.
Getting to Campus Magnet Educational Campus is accessible. Though not near subway stops, many students take the E or F train to Parsons Boulevard. From there, they transfer to a bus. Buses Q4, Q27, and Q77 also serve the location.
Graduation rates have improved since the days of Andrew Jackson High School. Back then, only about one-third of students graduated. The Campus Magnet Educational Campus aims to provide a better future.
The Mathematics, Science Research and Technology Magnet High School or MAST is a standout within Campus Magnet. Each MAST student gets a laptop for high school use. The building has a stately entrance surrounded by manicured lawns and wrought iron fencing. MAST is located on the first and second floors. Students can even take swimming lessons and become lifeguard certified in the building’s pool.
The Campus Magnet Educational Campus stands as a symbol of renewal. From its challenging past to its present-day focus on specialized education, it continues to evolve. It offers a diverse and supportive environment for its students.