Forest Hills High School

Opened in 1941, Forest Hills High School stands as a testament to architectural grandeur and educational ambition. Initially designed in a modified Georgian style, the final structure retained the red brick exterior, limestone trim, and slate roof. Forest Hills High School quickly gained recognition for its advanced facilities, including specialized rooms for arts, home economics, science, and music. The auditorium, seating nearly 1,200, offered a panoramic view of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Forest Hills High School’s commitment to academic excellence shone early on, particularly in the sciences. In 1949, it outperformed Bronx Science in the Westinghouse Science Talent Search. This tradition continued, culminating in 1968 when it became the first school to have three Westinghouse Scholars in a single year. Forest Hills High School wasn’t just a place of learning; it was a stage for social and political dramas. The school became embroiled in controversies surrounding low-income housing projects and rezoning plans in the 1970s. These issues sparked heated debates about overcrowding, racial tensions, and class divisions, even drawing the attention of President Nixon. The school also played a role in the fight against forced busing, a policy eventually discontinued in 1988. Today, Forest Hills High School offers a diverse range of programs, from the Carl Sagan Science/Math Honors Academy to the Law & Humanities Institute, and the Academy of Instrumental Music/Performing Arts. It also boasts partnerships with prestigious institutions like NYU and Fordham Law School. The school maintains its high academic standards, requiring students to take AP exams and offering College Now courses in collaboration with CUNY. From its architectural beginnings to its complex history and diverse academic offerings, Forest Hills High School remains a significant landmark in Queens.