2016-2017 Blackboard Award Honoree: Manhattan Village Academy

_manhattan-villageweb — Photo by Daniel S. Burnstein

Editor’s note: To read profiles of all 2016-2017 Blackboard Awards honorees, click HERE! Plus: Scroll down for video from the Awards ceremony.

Manhattan Village Academy
Principal: Hector Geager
9-12
43 West 22nd Street
Award: Outstanding School

Describe your school’s core educational philosophy.

Although we do not subscribe to any philosophy in particular (we consider ourselves pragmatic educators), we strongly believe that our students can become high performing through deliberate practice and hard work. Instruction is guided by the application of Intellectual Standards of Critical Thinking to the Elements of Thought. The consistent application of 9 Intellectual Standards to the 8 Elements of Thought, that naturally occur when we all think, is one of the most important traits that separates us from other schools.

Tell us about a few of the school’s achievements or distinguishing programs.

For the past 10 or more years, we have been ranked as one of the best high schools in America and New York by US News & World Report, Newsweek Magazine, The New York Post, The Daily News, and other media outlets. Moreover, the New York State Department of Education has recognized our school for closing the Achievement Gap and as a School of Excellence. I am particularly proud of how hard my students and teachers work and how focused we are on our students’ achievement.

hector-geager-man-vil-acad-dan_5408_web — Photo by Daniel S. Burnstein

What’s new?

I feel very proud of our Advanced Placement Program. We built equity in the AP Program and more than half of the student total enrollment in our school is taking AP Course.

What do you love about your school?

I love being with my children more than anything else! I love to be in my school because I know very well that we are making a big difference in our student’s lives. We have great teachers and staff and all of us push ourselves to do our best for our students. We all have a high sense of commitment and feel truly accountable for our performance and our students’. I know that I chose the right profession because the work I do changes people lives for the better. I always say that the best thing that ever happened to me was to find a job that I really love, enjoy, and feel passionate about—and get paid for it.

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