Do Not Apply – 4 – Discovery HS
There are good schools, bad schools, mediocre schools. But in New York City we have a handful of schools that are so poorly run, so out of control, with administrations that are so incompetent, mean, arbitrary, or vindictive, that getting a job in these schools often means ending your career before it starts.
- Bronx Aerospace HS (+)
- Eximius College Prep HS
- Bronx Theater HS
- DIscovery HS
Discovery is in the Walton Campus. There was a vision when Discovery was founded – but it is not clear how much of that vision ever passed from the founding principal’s thoughts into reality. In any case, that is no longer possible, as he spent the last year in Nepal 1) cleansing his thoughts, then 2) meditating and then 3) sightseeing.
For teachers at Discovery there is no time for sightseeing. Administration is arbitrary, demanding, vindictive, and has gotten worse over time. I don’t know this year’s numbers, but for the previous two over half the staff from September didn’t last until the next September.
It’s not the kids, for the most part. Teachers speak well of most of the kids. But a poisonous administration can cut careers short.
Please, take care of yourself, and do not apply to Discovery HS.
I’ll be adding to this list, but you can help. If you know a school that is a career-ender, e-mail me at “this blog name” at gmail dot com. Explain how the school ends careers, and if possible, share some anecdotes. If you save even one new teacher from ending up at a hell hole, it will have been well worth it.
JD2718 
P.S.95Q – The Eastwood School in Jamaica, Queens
Discover just has such a warm and fuzzyness to it. The vision will come to them, give them time, money and class-rooms that used to belong to a functioning high school called Walton.
I taught there in it’s second year. This school was just awful–no curriculum, no structure for the students. The founding principal was the problem–he was vindictive and small-minded. The students also felt he was hypocritical and phony. I worked my butt off, but there was no evidence of learning here.
Discovery? A new SUV? A fragrance? A new healthy resturant? The vessel of some long lost explorer? No, just a grade changing, union busting, teacher killing mini-school!
I worked for that school as well, in a different capacity. The students are frequently out of control. The teachers are not supported, and the administration is inadequate to say the least, un-knowledgeable, uncaring, non-sympathetic, nasty, apathetic to student and staff needs and issues, disgusting. The schooll hasn’t changed since it’s inception. The current principal is a buffoon and a bully!