Information About Marble Hill School

The Marble Hill School for International Studies is a small college preparatory school for students interested in foreign languages and international studies. A New Visions School, it was created in 2002 with a focus on international connections, global awareness, and language learning. Recently cited as a highly successful school in a WestEd Report Rethinking High School: An Introduction to New York City's Experience (pdf), the school has established itself as a school of academic distinction.
It provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn about the world in which they live and to participate in cultural exchanges. Other features of the school include: Advisory, student council, community service, technology assisted instruction, youth leadership development, extended day program and Saturday program. The school is supported by the community-based organizations; Lehman College Now, Peace Corps Fellows Program at Teachers College.
The school offers all students a first rate education in an international environment, where over 35 languages are spoken by students and staff. If you would like to study in a school with a caring international staff and students from many countries of the world, then the Marble Hill High School for International Studies is the place for you.

Ms. Larson

Ms. Kirsten Larson
Principal

OUR MISSION

The mission of the Marble Hill School for International Studies is to develop in each student the necessary skills to acquire and apply knowledge. Students will be provided with a social, emotional and physical environment that is nurturing, supportive, intellectually challenging and conducive to learning. Students will be empowered to become self-directed, life-long learners inspired by their personal quest for understanding of themselves and the global society in which they live.

Our Beliefs

More information on our philosophy

 

The Educational Philosophy The Marble Hill School for International Studies embodies the following beliefs about education and learning:

  • Student learning is the chief priority and focus of the school.
  • Learning must occur through valuable and meaningful experiences.
  • Learning must engage students’ unique gifts, passions and rights.
  • Students learn best in heterogeneous settings using collaborative grouping and a variety of instructional approaches.
  • Fluency in more than one language is an asset for the student, the school and the community.
  • Language learning promotes awareness and tolerance of other cultures.
  • Teachers have greater commitment to the school when their roles become that of counselors, advisors and facilitators.
  • Sharing responsibilities as members of the school community creates a supportive learning environment.

Guiding Principles for the School's Success


The Marble Hill School for International Studies is based on the guiding principles created by the Coalition of Essentials Schools and identified and adopted by the Bronx New Century High Schools Initiative.

  • Our educational vision and philosophy reflect the same principles. Our vision is premised not only in the notion that small is better, but also in the understanding that student success is achieved by a combination

  • The school personalizes instruction and creates an atmosphere of nurture, support and understanding where teachers and students spend longer periods of time together, and come to know each other well. We use multiple venues to provide students an academic program that have depth, coherence and continuity, and provide for extended time in classes to allow for

  • Parental involvement is an important component in our school. Parents are involved and included in the school community. Parents are encouraged to participate in school decisions by becoming members of the School Leadership Team and the Parent Teacher Association.
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    Educational Approach

    The educational approach for the Marble Hill School for International Studies encompasses many aspects and facets of successful practices in small learning communities throughout the country. Smaller schools where students are well known, the curriculum is challenging, teachers take ownership of instruction and parents are fully involved are successful. We believe our educational approach has specific features and structures to meet the needs of our diverse population, and supports our school mission and educational philosophy. The following are fundamental to our school design:

    • Block Programming
    • Interdisciplinary Teaching
    • Thematic Approach
    • Inquiry Learning
    • Performance Based Assessments
      Portfolio
    • Advisory Class
    • Community Service
      Internships
    • Technology Assisted Instruction
    • Extended Day
    • Parent leadership Development
    • Youth Leadership Development
    • Project Based Learning
    • Heterogeneous Grouping
    • Applied Learning
    • Integrated Curriculum

    Our Curriculum

    Thematic Curriculum
    Block Programming
    Alignment of Curriculum for ES/ELL
    Project Based
    Portfolio Projects
    Cooperative Learning
    NYSED/DOE/ROC
    Standards Based Curriculum
    Principles of Learning
    Balanced Literacy
    Balanced Math
    Focus on Regents

    Classes Offered
    Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12

    English 9: Reading and Writing Workshop
    ESL 1- Beginning Level
    ESL-Reading and Writing Workshop

    World Literature
    ESL 3-Intermediate Level
    ESL World Literature

    US Literature
    ESL 5 -Advanced Level
    ESL Composition
    Short Stories Masterpieces

    Journalism
    Advanced Placement English Literature
    Short Stories Masterpieces
    English Seminar
    Playwriting

    First Year: Humanities/ Global Studies
    ESL-First Year: Global Studies/Humanities

    Second year Humanities/Global Studies
    ESL-First Year Humanities/Globar Studies
    Advanced Placement Global

    US History
    ESL- US History
    AP History
    Global History Seminar
    Global Education

    Participation in Government
    Macro-Economics
    Micro-Economics
    Global Education
    US History Seminar

    Integrated Algebra

    Math A
    Math B

    Math B- Math B Seminar
    Problem Solving
    Applied Math
    Pre-Calculus

    Calculus
    Problem Solving
    Applied Math

    Health
    Environmental Science

    Living Environment
    Living Environment Seminar

    Chemistry
    Anatomy
    AP Biology
    Living Environment Seminar

    Anatomy
    Darwinian Medicine
    Advance Placement Biology
    Health Seminar
    Living Environment Seminar

    Physical Education

    • Yoga
    • Cardio
    • Track
    • Basketball
    • Calisthenics

    Physical Education

    • Yoga
    • Cardio
    • Track
    • Basketball
    • Calisthenics

    Physical Education

    • Yoga
    • Cardio
    • Track
    • Basketball
    • Calisthenics

    Physical Education

    • Yoga
    • Cardio
    • Track
    • Basketball
    • Calisthenics

    World Dance
    Drama
    Film
    Studio Art

    World Dance
    Drama
    Film
    Studio Art

    Choreography
    International Dance
    International Music

    Choreography
    International Music
    International Dance

    School Service (mandated)

    Community Service (min 2 hours weekly) Wednesday Afternoon (mandated)

    Community Service (min 2 hours weekly)-Wednesday Afternoon (mandated)

    Senior Seminar (Requirement for Graduation)
    Term 1: The Road to College
    Term 2: Research & Exit Project Presentation

    First Year Italian

    Second Year Japanese
    Second Year French

    Third Year Japanese
    Third Year French
    Advanced Placement Spanish
    Latin 1
    Spanish Language & Culture
    Japanese Language & Culture

    Honors Japanese
    Spanish Lenguage and Culture
    Advanced Placement Spanish
    Latin 1
    Japanese Language and Culture

    Advisory 9
    MST Seminar

    Advisory 10
    Community Service
    MST Seminar
    Travel Abroad Seminar

    Advisory 11
    Computer Application
    Travel Abroad Seminar
    Lehman/Manhattan College (Qualifying Students Only)

    Advisory12
    Computer Application
    International Student Exchange
    College Now - College Credit Courses
    Lehman/Manhattan College     (Qualifying Students Only)



    Professional Development

    Development

     

    Marble Hill provides a comprehensive staff development program integrated into all aspects of school life. In order to achieve this, and to create the learning environment, a three-prong approach has been instituted as the core of on-going professional development within the school.

    Development

    View Staff page

     

    Three-Prong Approach for the Professional Development Program
    Academic teachers receive professional development in all aspects of the academic world as it pertains to the school. This includes, but is not be limited, to areas such as:

    • curriculum development, integrated, curriculum, thematic approach, curriculum application strategies, alignment of curriculum in different subject areas, applied learning

    • project based assignments, assessments, portfolios, learning inventories

    • second language acquisition, teaching ESL through the content area

    Pupil Personnel
    Teachers receive professional development in areas related to the overall organization of the school as it reflects to student life at school

    • advisory, attendance, guidance, case conferencing

    • ongoing evaluation of student performance


    Small Schools, Governance
    Teachers receive professional development in areas related, but not limited to the implementation of the school.

    • School operation, block programming, school organization

    • the CBO relationship to school, community building initiatives
       

    Extra Curricular Activities

    Open Stages
    Stage Door
    Encores
    Sports
    Student Council

    Learn more about student clubs

    Clubs

    Building with Books
    Debate
    Drama
    International
    Model United Nations
    Origami
    Student Court
    Relaxation
    Jazz Dancing
    Chess

    Marble Hill School for International Studies is… Exploring the World One Day at a Time

    International Links for the Academic Year
    2004-2005:


    Nicaragua
    China
    Japan
    Turkey

    Academic Year 2005-2006

    Senegal
    Mali

    Academic Year 2007-2008

    China
    France
    Costa Rica
    Mali

    Learn more about our international exchange programs

    View Recent Press Releases Concerning Marble Hill

    Learn More About the School Philosophy

    Directions to the School

    View School Brochure

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