WILLIAMSBURG CHARTER HIGHSCHOOL
The Williamsburg Charter High School (WCHS) seeks to provide young people with the tools necessary to make sense of the world. Curriculum, programs and after school initiatives provided by the school prepare students to become skilled workers and literate global citizens.
WCHS is a uniform school and requires that all students follow the posted uniform policies as listed in the Community Covenant. The school provides a wide range of club activities during 9th period and encourages students to participate in the many offered after school athletic groups, honor society initiatives and grant sponsored performing arts programs.
The administrative staff and founders of WCHS believe that young people will accomplish valuable skills sets by participating in a rigorous and demanding liberal arts education that includes language, literature, writing, science, history, mathematics, the arts, technology and explorations in disciplines designed to teach fairness, justice, respect and compassion for themselves. The school is also known for encouraging the development of critical thinking skills and effective communication.
Williamsburg Charter High School has one adult for every eight students. This faculty to student ratio is part of the charter school’s “wrap-around” effect. WCHS surrounds the students with a grade team, and within the team they have grade directors, a counselor, a dean and a social worker. In total, WCHS currently has 76 teachers, two social workers, 15 safety officers, 30 administrators and six guidance counselors.
“At Williamsburg Charter High School, we believe that all students can learn and achieve a high school diploma. Through our collaborative team effort we put systems in place so that all students can achieve. The teamwork of parents, students, staff, teachers and the support of our Board truly shows how teamwork can make the dream work. Our clear focus and teamwork has made us an ‘A’ school.” – Kathleen Gaffney (Current Principal and former Director of Special Education)
According to the 2013-14 New York State Report Card, WCHS’ Regents Proficiency Rates continue to exceed both the districtwide (CSD 14) and statewide (NY State) rates in all five main subject areas for the past two graduating cohorts.
WCHS has an award-winning Cambridge Latin program with a body of awarded teachers. The program, is one of the largest high school Latin programs in the country and The Department stands behind a shared vision; “that [our] students will come away from their High School education with the view that all knowledge is by nature connected, and that they will be able to use Latin throughout their lives as a key instrument in discovering the links that tie all the great intellectual disciplines together“.
According to New York State Law, charter schools base enrollment on a random lottery; no test or tuition is required to attend. Lotteries take place in April for the following school year and are open for public attendance. To learn more about Williamsburg Charter High School visit the school’s website and social media pages.
