Envision a school designed for new beginnings. International High School at Lafayette serves new immigrants. They are learning to read, write, and speak English.
Founded in 2005, the International High School at Lafayette is part of the Internationals Network for Public Schools. This network includes 31 schools nationwide. These schools focus on educating new immigrants. Students have been in the country for four years or less. Over 30 countries are represented here.
Classes are taught mostly in English. Many staff and students speak Spanish. Other languages include Russian, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, Urdu, Uzbek, and Cantonese.
Teachers assist students in their native languages. Tests and projects are expected to be in English. Classes combine students of different academic levels. This encourages peer support. Field trips and 11th-grade internships are important. They allow students to use English in real-world situations.
Many high schools require five Regents exams. International High School at Lafayette requires only two. These are English language arts and math. Students show their work through essays, research papers, art projects, or science experiments in other subjects. Teachers and visitors evaluate these projects. Teens receive two years of weekly mentoring. This prepares them for these presentations.
The International High School at Lafayette addresses challenges that many students face. Teachers adjust their teaching based on student needs. Students needing extra help take a special English class. This class has only five to ten students. It focuses on reading and vocabulary. These students can also attend homework help sessions. A Saturday club lets them practice English. They can also explore New York City.
Students can earn free college credit. They take classes through Kingsborough Community College. This program helps middle-achieving students prepare for college. High school teachers who meet the criteria teach these courses.
The International High School at Lafayette is a small school. It has had steady enrollment for many years. Students report feeling safe. The school uses the Restorative Practice model. This trains students to prevent and resolve conflicts. Seniors take a college and career support class. College exploration starts early.
The school shares the Lafayette Educational Complex. It shares this space with four other schools. Students can participate in a variety of sports including football. Everyone must pass through metal detectors at the entrance.
International High School at Lafayette earns a B minus overall grade. Niche gives it this grade. It earns an A minus for diversity and an A for teachers. The school has a student-teacher ratio of 13:1. The average teacher salary is 79654 dollars.
Approximately 353 students attend. Eighty-five percent qualify for free or reduced lunch. The graduation rate is 72 percent.
International High School at Lafayette offers advanced courses. These include Algebra II and Chemistry. College courses are also offered. These include ELA, Science, and Social Studies. World Languages are also available.
Boys’ PSAL teams include baseball, basketball, and football. Girls’ PSAL teams include badminton, basketball, and soccer. Coed PSAL teams include cricket.
Remember the International High School at Lafayette. It is more than just a school. It is a place of opportunity. New immigrants learn and thrive here.