9COLUMBIA SECONDARY SCHOOL

FOR MATH, SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

a public school, community, and university partnership

www.columbiasecondary.org

A PUBLIC SCHOOL, COMMUNITY, AND UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP

A joint venture by New York City’s Department of Education and Columbia University...

…and the larger community

of Upper Manhattan.

A unique science, math & engineering public school

• Only 6-12th grade selective STEM school in NYC, one of few in nation

• Only public school associated with IVY league school in nation

• Early college program with Columbia University

• School will be at Columbia University’s new Manhattanville campus

• Students and faculty can take classes at Columbia University free of cost

Auniquely DIVERSE

student body

A highly competitive admissions process yielding an academically talented student body that is also:

Ethnically diverse • 55% Hispanic• 20% African-American• 20% White• 5% Asian

Of mixed socioeconomic backgrounds• 60% Low income• 35% Middle income• 5% High income

A Talented &

DiverseFaculty

• Dynamic and multi-disciplinary team• Embodying CSS’s entrepreneurial, adventurous spirit• International study or life experience• Mixture of experienced and highly promising novice faculty• 2 PhD’s, 3 PhD in process, 15 MA, 2 MA in process, 1 BA• 3 National/State Teaching Awardees in Science and Mathematics

A ScientificLeadership Team

PRINCIPAL:

Dr. Jose Gabriel Maldonado-Rivera

Holds degrees in Ecology, Biology, and Science Education from Columbia University and UC Santa Barbara. His background as a field biologist and outdoor educator and his passion for educational reform and innovation drive the evolution of the academic program at CSS-MSE.

Effective Leadership* (*DOE metrics)

1. Principal’s Performance Review – 31/31

2. School Quality Review –Well developed (highest possible rating)

28/32 categories highest possible rating

3. School Progress Report – Y3 (2008-9) - 96.4% •Top 6% of the city (bonus for P and AP)

•Top 3 of all new middle school in city*

•Top 25 of all middle schools in city*•Top new screened school in the city

Effective Leadershipfocus on developing extraordinary

Liberal Arts and Science educational program

1. Most diverse STEM curriculum in the city

2. Most diverse enrichment Electives & Creative arts curriculum in the city

3. One-in-the nation Philosophy and Engineering programs

4. Comprehensive fitness program for all students

5. Accelerated MS and HS course offerings – mixture of AP and Liberal Arts courses

6. Successfully negotiating articulation with CU undergraduate courses

7. Built high hiring capacity = superb faculty team

A uniquely diverse curriculum

1. Philosophy and Engineering core courses

2. Science, Engineering & Math electives (12 choices)3. Diversity of Electives courses (18 choices)4. Unique interdisciplinary JUNE mini-semester

a. Travel abroad programb. Sustainability themed coursesc. City themed courses

5. Diverse Creative Arts Program – more than 18 choices6. Fitness Program – more than 12 choices

An Enriched and Challenging Curriculum

Core Courses

1. English Language Arts2. Mathematics3. Science4. Social Studies5. Engineering6. Spanish7. Philosophy

Minor Courses

1. Fitness Program (12)2. Creative Arts (17)3. Enrichment Electives (27 including J-term)

Engineering

• Project-based engineering program CSS students learn to work as a team, conceptualize problems, design and construct prototypes in three dimensions, conduct tests, and modify their designs.

• Focuses on team problem solving skills

• 7 year sequence

• Projects include: building cardboard chairs, catapult competitions, egg drop, designing and constructing newspaper houses.

Philosophy

Two flavors:

a) Philosophy for Children - by Dr. Paul Thomson, resident philosopher and author of the Philosophy for Teens

b) Inquiry & Argument - Dr. Deanna Kuhn, Teachers College, leads a team of researchers and graduate students

Philosophy for Teens by Dr. Paul Thomson

I. Love

1. What is Love?

2. Is Beauty a Matter of Fact or a Matter of Taste?

3. What is the Purpose of Art?

4. Is There a Difference Between Health and Beauty?

II. Truth

5. Is There Anything That Can’t Be True?

6. Is Lying Always Wrong?

7. Does Every Question Have an Answer?

8. Should we Accept Reality?

Philosophy – Argument and Inquiryby Dr. Deanna Kuhn

Inquiry

Learning to learnThe Skills of InquiryDeveloping Inquiry Skills

Argument

Why Argue?The Skills of ArgumentDeveloping Argument Skills

Science• An integrated core curriculum exploring biology, chemistry, geology, and

physics through inquiry, discussion, experimentation and observation in a laboratory and field setting.

• The most diverse science electives program of any school in city! Astronomy, Environmental Science, Marine Biology, Sustainability, Architecture, Nature in the City, Biodiversity of New York, Island Biodiversity, Environmental Leadership, Living Environment, Earth Science, Natural History of Maine, Water, Energy, Food

A Unique Study Abroad &

Field Expeditions Program

June mini-semester1) International Program

6th grade - Island Biodiversity -Puerto Rico 7th grade – Diversity and History of N. Eastern seaboard8th grade – Ecology and History of Mexico

2) Themed Concept Courses6th grade –Water 7th grade – Energy8th grade – Food

3) City Themed courses6th grade - Architecture in the City7th grade - Nature in the City8th grade - History in the City

An incredibly diverse Creative Arts Program

Mural PaintingPhotography

Multimedia Design

Knitting for the mindArt of Ancient Egypt

Latin America PoetryScreenwriting Cooking

Latin DanceDigital Film

TheaterGardening

JournalismPopular Music Museum

Real Fitness for all Students

1. Basketball2. Pilates3. Volleyball4. Badminton5. Street Hockey6. Swimming7. Soccer8. Jogging9. Ultimate Frisbee10. Circus Performance11. Yoga12. Capoeira

The most DiverseElectives

Curriculumin NYC

Electives

1. Marine Biology2. War3. Slam Poetry4. Current Events5. Emotional Intelligence6. Genetics7. Latin American History8. Orienteering and Outdoor Survival9. Chess10. Speak-up (Forensics)11. Student Government12. Environmental Science13. Science Fiction Film & Literature14. Architecture15. Astrophysics16. Robotics17. What is worth fighting for18. Sustainability

A stellar beginningSchoolwide Outcomes and Quality Measures

Y1• Quality Review recognizes school as “Highly Developed”• Blackboard Award for “New and Noteworthy Middle School” in NYC• 107% - Parent School Environment surveys (DOE)• 104% - Student School Environment surveys (DOE)• 97% - Faculty School Environment surveys (DOE)• 90% “highly satisfied” student feedback survey (CSS)

Y2• Y2 Quality Review recognizes school as “Well Developed” (highest possible score in all 5 categories of evaluation)

• Principal Performance Review 31/31• School Progress Report 96.4/100

A stellar beginning (2)

Academic and Human Resources Outcomes

• 7th grade Math teacher wins Blackboard & Newton Award

• 6th grade Math teacher wins Blackboard

• Several top scores National Math competitive exam

• 100% - 3,4 in ELA State test (avg. – 688)

• 100% - 3,4 in Math State test (avg. – 712)

• 75% - 4 (above grade level) in Math State test

Widespread media recognition

• More than 12 positive newspaper articles in NYC & Puerto Rico

• Principal profiled in major Hispanic newspaper in PR

• Two Blackboard Awards for 6th and 7th grade math teachers

• Webpage showcased by Google www.columbiasecondary.org

• Among “10 most promising new middle schools” (Daily News)

• “Best 100 Public Schools’ in NYC” Guide to NYC Public Schools

• About 1000-1200 applicants for 100 spots (10% admit rate)

• Typical entering class ethnic composition:50-60% Hispanic, 18-25% Black, 20-30% White-Asian

• Typical entering class income distribution:60% low income families35% middle income families5% high income families

• 100% live or went to school north of 96th street

• 7% children of Columbia University faculty/staff

Admissions Statistics

*Preferred catchment area – north of 96th St in Manhattan (D3 part), D4,D5,D6)

Step 1 – fill out CSS application form online or send directly to school

These applications are due Friday, Dec. 10th, 2010!ELA + Math + Science state test = ScoreMath/ELA 4/3 combination (1400 >)85% or higher in Science = 1485 >

Step 2 – CSS Admissions Test (250 students)

Sat., February 5th, 2011Top 50 scores in each district invited to take CSS test-

sometime in January 2011

Step 3- wait for us to call, email, snail mail letter of acceptance

Top 25 scores of each District admitted

Admissions Process3 steps

• Academically successful• Intellectually passionate - mature• Organized• Self motivated – striver developed work ethic• Willing to submit themselves to

accelerated program• Interested in science and math

Characteristics of CSS students

1.Four questions2.Only 3 questions count (other one is future question)

3.Unlimited time (3 hours is max)4.Grammar and punctuation not important5.No maximum points per question (hence its

important to answer best questions fully rather than spend too much time on weak question)

6.Blue book (kids need practice with this!)

Admissions Test

Key issues in rubric:

a)Clear statement understanding complexity of question

b)Clear position/thesis statementc)4-5 claims or arguments (each in own P)d)Each claim explained and supported by:

1. Multiple reasons (at least 3-4 per claim) 2. Examples (at least one per claim)3. Illustrations/details4. Personal experiences/anecdotes

e) Counterarguments/opposing views

Admissions Test - Rubric

COLUMBIA SECONDARY SCHOOLFOR MATH, SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

425 West 123rd Street, 5th FloorNew York, NY 10027

(212) 666 – 1278

www.columbiasecondary.org