Townsend Harris High School, Queens | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

I’m a freshman attending this school and I honestly do have mixed feelings. The students here are extremely friendly, to say the least, and everyone’s always eager to support each other. The way they schedule the class, though, is not reasonable at all. I don’t know if it’s the same for all high schools, but they give you the same schedule for every day, which makes it really tiring and bored that I have to go to the same class same time every day. One subject only gets one period so we never got time to learn slowly or have “work periods”, the only things I’ve done in every class is copy notes while doing worksheets they throw out, and it’s not helping with my learning at all, I am considered to be a smart student but I really can’t learn anything in class just by copying notes. All academic subjects will give you a quiz at least once a week if not every other week and tests come really fast, and they don’t give you study periods in class or warn you the day before or anything. There’s also a lot of work you have to do, I currently have like 5 collaterals all due within a month. The teachers here are not good, as far as with my experience, or maybe it’s just because of the little time we have for each class. My ap world teacher and talent subject teacher are funny but I’m getting extreme anxiety because they are always yelling and angry at us not doing the right thing , in fact they are just plain RUDE, but at the same time not teaching us nothing and just dumping tests on us. I do appreciate that Townsend actually do serious PE class but what they required us to do is so hard, at least for not so fit people like me. They should gradually increase the difficulty of activities, let’s say running, start from 1 lap and increase to 4 laps(1 mile), but instead wham 1.5 and 2 miles within the first 2 weeks in school. And they assign me a schedule where after pe I have to climb to the 6th floor, makes total sense, but I’m getting used to it. I had to limp around after 1 run because my legs are twitching and aching so bad. Also, the guidance consular I got is absolutely terrible, but I won’t specify anymore. Townsend Harris definitely is a great school to attend with many nice people and curriculum, and I do love the events they offer, but honestly, they need to make changes in the way they educate.

I’m entering my junior year here, and I must say, it is quite challenging. This school has forced me to change my studying habits (from not studying at all to late night cram sessions).
While the lack of sleep does get to you, I wouldn’t exchange it for anything- because I know that in the end its all worth it. I love my peers, the teachers (well, most of them), and the atmosphere. Its a place where loving to learn and work hard does not have a negative connotation. The students here know what they want to do in life, and even if they don’t, they are striving to find that goal. The majority of the students here prefer a book over a blunt unlike other schools.
While we may be known to others as the hardcore nerds, our athletics department is certainly not lacking in any aspect. I can confidently say that the teams are all strong, constantly winning numerous awards. Who ever said nerds couldn’t be awesome athletes?
So while it might not be as well known as the other specialized schools, it definitely should not be overlooked.

I am posting only becausr I was shocked to see comments about poor sportsmanship. Are those posts by the other team? I’ve gone to see games & a meet, and seen perfect sportsmanship. As a matter of fact, I was especially impressed with the camaraderie & healthy competition of Townsend’s team sports. I think the kids there are exceptionally nice to the point it’s noteworthy. Wow, I hope no one takes those comments as facts, because it will lead to a wrong decision…