How about a school focused on health sciences in Queens? That is Queens Gateway to Health Sciences Secondary School. It stands as a beacon of specialized education. The school’s emphasis on health sciences sets it apart. It prepares students for future careers in medicine and related fields.
Queens Gateway serves grades 6 through 12. Its location is 160-20 Goethals Avenue. The building itself is in Hillcrest Queens. Queens Gateway moved to this building for the 2010–11 school year. Before that it was in other school buildings.
The Queens Gateway building has an interesting design. Pei Cobb Freed & Partners designed it. The New York City School Construction Authority built it. It features a U-shape with light-colored brick. Skylights bring natural light into the gymnasium. A colonnade with a mural runs along the front.
Inside Queens Gateway there are many facilities. There are 24 classrooms. Eleven science labs provide space for hands-on learning. A 297-seat auditorium hosts school events. There are cafeterias a library and an art studio.
Before the school was built the site held the hospital’s morgue. It was relocated to make room for Queens Gateway. The school’s location near Queens Hospital Center is strategic.
Admissions to Queens Gateway’s middle school are limited. Only students from Queens Districts 28 and 29 can apply. High school admission is open to all New York City residents. Priority goes to students from those districts.
The academics at Queens Gateway are strong. The school offers many Advanced Placement courses. Middle schoolers can take accelerated math and science. All 9th through 11th graders take the PSAT annually. PSAT and SAT prep courses are available.
Queens Gateway also has an After School Program. The school partners with several institutions. These include Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Queens Hospital Center. Students can intern at Queens Hospital Center. They also participate in rotations.
For athletics Queens Gateway fields several sports teams. They compete in the Public Schools Athletic League. Sports include basketball rugby and soccer. There are also intramural sports.
The school opened in 1994 or 1995. It was a partnership with Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Health Professions Partnership Initiative supported it.
Initially Queens Gateway was co-located in other schools. It was in Richard Grossley Junior High School. Later it moved to the Catherine and Count Basie School. In 1998 the Jamaica Jewish Center became its building.
In 2001 the Department of Education planned a new building for Queens Gateway. It would be on the Queens Hospital Center campus. Despite community opposition the project was approved. The new building opened in 2010.
Queens Gateway to Health Sciences Secondary School represents an opportunity for students to excel in health sciences. With its modern building strong academics and strategic partnerships it offers a unique educational experience.