Park East High School

Hello Park East!
Welcome to another exciting year of learning, personal growth, and civic engagement during a presidential election year. 

As we kick off the new school year, I am particularly excited about our shared summer reading of They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, a powerful graphic novel about the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. For the first time, all members of our community  – from faculty and staff to Chef Raj to our school safety agents to our incoming 9th graders – had an opportunity to engage in a shared experience. Over the course of the year we will return to the book’s themes of belonging, the dangers of “othering,” and the importance of holding onto your moral compass during stressful and confusing times. The goal here is to use the book as a backdrop for our thinking about the complexities of the world we live in and to celebrate the joys of reading. If you haven’t had a chance to read and enjoy it yet, there’s still time! Pick it up today and join the conversation.

This year I am proud to welcome two new teachers, 104 incoming 9th graders, and a record high of 22 transfer 10th grade students to our school community. We have grown to over 400 students this year. While many schools are facing low enrollment, Park East is back to our pre-pandemic numbers and is becoming increasingly more popular.  

Here is a sampling of the exciting things we have been planning for the 2024-2025 year:

• Our first ever summer shared reading book, They Called Us Enemy, which we will discuss in Advisory and Social Studies classes.
• Revised curricula in math, English, Living Environment (now Biology) and Earth & Space Sciences.
• Six new courses, including AP Studio Art and AP Psychology.  
• An expanded Seal of Civic Readiness program so even more of our seniors graduate with an official endorsement on their diplomas and are registered to vote, if eligible.
• A community service requirement to graduate from Park East (at least 10 hours per year for 4 years).
• A strengthened Advisory program to make sure every meeting is productive and fun.
• Regular surveys of students and families about how to increase our sense of community at Park East, what else you’d like to see us work on, and ideas for where to go on our four grade level trips!

I genuinely look forward to collaborating with our faculty, staff, students, and families to continue to make Park East the best school in NYC. I LOVE talking to you and hearing your ideas, so please email me, come by my office for a chat, or join my Principal’s Advisory Council. Let’s have a great year, Park East!

Ever Better with Purpose, Preparation and Pride,
Dr Ort