Editor’s note: To read a long-form story with profiles of all 15 2014-2015 Blackboard Awards honorees, click HERE!
MILLENNIUM BROOKLYN HIGH SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL: DR. LISA GIOE
9-12
37 7th Avenue, Brooklyn
millenniumbrooklynhs.org
AWARD: OUTSTANDING HIGH SCHOOL
Describe your school’s core educational philosophy.
The mission of Millennium Brooklyn is to create a rigorous academic program with a strong emphasis on writing across disciplines, critical thinking skills, and project-based learning fostering college and career readiness. Our vision is to facilitate a community-centered environment that fosters achievement for all students through rigorous academics and college preparation; cultivates a community of learners and leaders; and builds dynamic partnerships with all members of our community.
Tell us about a few of the school’s achievements or distinguishing programs.
We are proud of our school’s Research and Internship Program, designed to support students in acquiring the ability to apply real-world skills in various workplace settings. Tasks assigned will support students’ understanding of the multi-dimensional efforts that go into making a workplace effective and the necessity of synthesizing several skill sets for the creation of a quality work product. …We are [also] proud of our ASD Nest Program, created for higher functioning students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), based on the successful ASD Nest elementary and middle school (MS 447) inclusion models. [The program’s] goal is to teach students how to function well academically, behaviorally, and socially, both in school and within
the broader community.
What’s new?
This year our founding class of students will be graduating. At this point we have received notice of two early decision college acceptances, and are knee-deep in the application process. So far, all seniors are on track for graduation.
What do you love about your school?
I guess the one challenge in creating a new school comes with the growing pains of being in transition with faculty and increasing facilities needs over a four-year period as you add on a new grade each year. The tone and the feel at Millennium Brooklyn is truly unique. We are like one big family…I have put a lot of pressure on myself as the founding principal to make sure that our founding class had as many opportunities and positive experiences as students in fully-established high schools had. Our founding faculty really gave 200 percent towards providing a well-rounded high school experience… Our founding class provided a lot of feedback to faculty—they paved the way for future Millennium Brooklyn graduates. It’s an amazing feeling to see your vision come to life.
