Six Important Reasons

At SOF our philosophy is to promote critical thinking through deep inquiry and rigorous academics in a caring environment. The vision of our school is to help each student determine and reach their individual potential in math, science, humanities and the arts as well as social areas. Our students graduate as life-long learners and socially conscious participants in their communities.

1

Our diversity reflects our City and the world in which our students will live and work.

SOF strives to remain one the truly integrated schools of NYC. SOF is intentionally diverse on many levels – culturally, socio-economically, religiously, ethnically and academically. This exposure to different people offers wonderful opportunities for our students that often turn into lifelong friendships.

2

Our exceptional faculty teaches our students to become independent thinkers, spirited learners, and avid writers.

SOF’s teachers bring their life experience and intellect into the classroom each and every day. Our teachers are a smart, enthusiastic and ultra-dedicated community. They value the fact that they are not constrained by NY State Regents Curriculum, as this allows them to express themselves and take pride in their craft.

3

We encourage students to take risks, learn from mistakes,
and move forward to face challenges with humor, innovation, and grit.

Our students discover and develop a purpose and a place in the world by knowing themselves, respecting others, and recognizing possibility.

4

SOF is consistently recognized as one of the best schools in NYC.

SOF is ranked as a top school. Close to 100% of SOF’s graduating seniors are accepted to colleges, many with scholarships to prestigious colleges. While many students join the SOF community in middle school and stay through high school, we are proud of our many placements into specialized high schools around the City.

5

SOF high school students write Exhibitions rather than take the NY State Regents.

Exhibitions are the type of assessment that reflects the kind of deep teaching and learning for which we strive. The purpose is to demonstrate both knowledge of a particular content area and the ability to think and communicate deeply about it. Exhibitions allow us to assess students’ strengths on more authentic components of college and careers.

6

We deliver a rigorous education through individualized attention in small classes.

At SOF we believe that we learn and teach best when we know each other well. SOF devotes the bulk of its resources to maintaining small class sizes to support a student-centered environment. In fact, we have been doing this long before it was fashionable. Small classes allow students to know each other well and feel deeply connected to one another and their teachers.