Our School

About Us

Welcome to the High School for Health Careers and Sciences!

Located on the George Washington Educational Campus in Washington Heights, Manhattan, our school is proud to be a Community School dedicated to supporting the success and well-being of every student and family. We believe that when students are supported academically, socially, and emotionally, they are empowered to reach their fullest potential.

Through innovative programs, meaningful partnerships, and comprehensive student supports, we create opportunities for learning, growth, and achievement both inside and outside the classroom. Our students engage in rigorous academics while exploring pathways in health and science that prepare them for college, careers, and leadership in their communities. We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment where every student feels valued, respected, and inspired to succeed.

As a Community School, we work closely with families and community partners to ensure that students have access to the resources they need to thrive. From academic enrichment and college preparation to wellness services and extracurricular activities, our goal is to support the whole child and strengthen the connection between school, family, and community.

We are also dedicated to cultivating Teacher Leaders through a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous professional growth. Our educators work together to share best practices, develop engaging learning experiences, and strengthen instruction to benefit all students. This commitment to teamwork and leadership helps create a dynamic learning environment that supports excellence across our school community.

We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our programs, resources, and the many opportunities available to our students and families. Be sure to follow us on Instagram to stay connected with the latest news, events, and celebrations from our school community. We look forward to welcoming you and working together to support the success of every student.

Instructional Focus

Our school’s instructional focus is to engage students in rigorous, standards-aligned reading, writing, and speaking tasks that deepen understanding across all subject areas. Through purposeful literacy practices, students learn to access complex information, think critically about content and concepts, and clearly communicate their ideas. These skills empower students not only to master academic material but also to develop the confidence to ask questions, analyze evidence, and express their perspectives effectively.

Across classrooms, teachers design learning experiences that challenge students to engage with meaningful texts, participate in thoughtful discussions, and produce writing that demonstrates their thinking and growth. By integrating reading, writing, and speaking into all disciplines, we help students build the strong communication and analytical skills that are essential for success in higher education and the modern workforce.

We believe that students develop the academic skills and personal habits necessary for college and career success when learning is student-centered, collaborative, and engaging. Our classrooms encourage students to take an active role in their learning by working together, sharing ideas, and learning from one another. Through collaboration, students strengthen their ability to problem-solve, think independently, and contribute to a community of learners.

In addition to academic growth, we emphasize the development of personal responsibility, perseverance, and leadership. By fostering a supportive learning environment where students feel respected, challenged, and empowered, we help prepare them not only for graduation but for lifelong learning and meaningful participation in their communities.

To provide students with these learning experiences and communicate high expectations, teachers: 

  • intentionally plan rigorous, collaborative, and individual tasks which include entry points for all learners and require them to demonstrate their content and concept understanding in discussions and writing
  • deliver lessons using high-quality questions and differentiated techniques to facilitate text-based, student-to-student discussions and writing products aligned to the Common Core Instructional Shifts
  • consistently assess and provide students with clear, actionable feedback aligned to specific Content, Regents, and Common Core Skill goals, to ensure their progress and success

To successfully participate in these learning experiences and achieve the high expectations set for them, as well as set their own, students: 

  • actively engage in rigorous, collaborative, and individual tasks that require the demonstration of content and concept understanding in discussions and writing
  • thoughtfully and respectfully generate and respond to high-quality questions, in both discussions and writing, using text-based/mathematical evidence as well as academic and content vocabulary
  • apply actionable feedback from teachers and peers and provide next steps to peers to improve work products and further develop skills and understandings