Urban Assembly Media High School
2012-2016
School Description
"Founded in 2004, The Urban Assembly Media High School is a small college preparatory high school that uses media as a way of engaging students and making their learning relevant to their lives. Through their interdisciplinary coursework and media studies, students develop self-reflective practices and analytical skills necessary for future success in college and beyond."
Contact Information
Website: urbanassembly.org/schools/the-urban-assembly-media-high-school
Principal: Cordelia Veve- cveve@schools.nyc.gov
Additional ETA Contact: Paulo Fonseca Jr., art teacher- pjrfonseca@hotmail.com
Four-Year Plan Goals
Goal One: To develop a four-year scope and sequence in 2D Art that culminates in a new Advanced Placement course offering
Approach
Goal One: The school started with shoring up the existing introductory level course and built out the more advanced-level curriculum from there. This is an art department of one teacher, so it was critical to support the art teacher with ample time to plan and document new units and support connections to guest artists/co-teachers who could bring new areas of expertise to the class. The program instituted regular portfolio preparation and critiques to help students build towards a comfort with and readiness for the AP culmination. ETA also invested in the equipment and supplies required to build the program.
Arts Partnerships
Goal One: Studio in a School was an early partner in the work, working with the art teacher to develop in-class residencies focusing on media and techniques that were outside of his own expertise and that a well-rounded curriculum requires. Lead PD providers for the art teacher were the Art Students League and the Gowanus Print Lab.
Sustainability Plan
Goal One: The strong curricula developed for the sequential program will be crucial for the ongoing sustainability of this work. It is well-documented, and the strong portfolios that are the natural end products of the classes are regularly showcased publicly for the school community, developing the school culture around the arts and helping to encourage students to enroll in the courses.