Susan E. Wagner High School is a

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

public school located at 1200 Manor Road in

Staten Island, New York Staten Island ( ) is the southernmost of the boroughs of New York City, five boroughs of New York City, coextensive with Richmond County and situated at the southernmost point of New York (state), New York. The borough is separated from the ad ...

. The school is owned and run by the

New York City Department of Education The New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) is the department of the government of New York City that manages the city's public school system. The City School District of the City of New York (more commonly known as New York City Publ ...

. It opened in September 1968, and was named in honor of Susan E. Wagner (1909–1964), the late wife of former mayor

Robert F. Wagner Jr. Robert Ferdinand Wagner II (April 20, 1910 – February 12, 1991) was an American diplomat and politician who served three terms as the mayor of New York City from 1954 through 1965. When running for his third term, he broke with the Tammany Ha ...

On average, the school has about 3,300 students. Wagner's school colors are Navy and White, with the

Falcon Falcons () are birds of prey in the genus ''Falco'', which includes about 40 species. Some small species of falcons with long, narrow wings are called hobbies, and some that hover while hunting are called kestrels. Falcons are widely distrib ...

as the mascot. Wagner has a variety of programs including the Law and Politics program, the Virtual Enterprise program, the Scholars Academy, Air Force JROTC, Theatrical Arts program, and annual ''

SING! To sing is to produce musical sounds with a voice. Sing may also refer to: Film * ''Sing'' (1989 film), an American musical drama film following a fictional SING! production in New York City * ''Sing!'' (2001 film), a 2001 American documentary ...

'' productions. The school has the largest marching band in New York City, with over 150 members. The school received the Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in the 1988–1989 school year.

History

Wagner was founded in 1968 and was named in honor of Susan E. Wagner (1909–1964), the late wife of former mayor

Joseph Brennan was the first principal from 1968 to 1970. Gary Giordano was principal of the school from 2002 to 2017. Afterwards, David Cugini, a former social studies teacher at the school, was given the job.

Academic courses

Wagner follows

Regents In a monarchy, a regent () is a person appointed to govern a state because the actual monarch is a minor, absent, incapacitated or unable to discharge their powers and duties, or the throne is vacant and a new monarch has not yet been dete ...

curriculum. They offer Regents courses in Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II/Trigonometry, Global History & Geography, United States History & Government, Living Environment, Earth Science, Chemistry, Physics, and English Language Arts.

Elective courses

Wagner offers multiple Elective Courses. These include: * Holocaust Literature * African American Literature * Poetry * Creative Writing * Psychology * Forensic Science * Anatomy & Physiology * Astronomy * Geology * EMT * Intro to College Mathematics * Spanish 7/8 Culture * Spanish 7/8 Grammar * Italian 7/8 Culture

Advanced Placement courses

Wagner offers multiple

Advanced Placement Advanced Placement (AP) is a program in the United States and Canada created by the College Board. AP offers undergraduate university-level curricula and examinations to high school students. Colleges and universities in the US and elsewhere ...

courses. These include: *

AP Psychology Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology (also known as AP Psych) and its corresponding exam are part of the College Board's Advanced Placement Program. This course is tailored for students interested in the field of psychology and as an opportunity t ...

* AP English Literature & Composition *

AP US History Advanced Placement (AP) United States History (also known as AP U.S. History, APUSH (), or AP U.S.) is a college-level course and examination offered by College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program. Course The AP U.S. History course i ...

AP Calculus AB Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus (also known as AP Calc, Calc AB / BC, AB / BC Calc or simply AB / BC) is a set of two distinct Advanced Placement calculus courses and exams offered by the American nonprofit organization College Board. AP Calculu ...

* AP English Language & Composition * AP Spanish Language & Culture *

AP Environmental Science Advanced Placement (AP) Environmental Science (also known as APES, AP Enviro, AP Environmental, AP Environment, or AP EnviroSci) is a course and exam offered by the American College Board as part of the Advanced Placement Program to high school ...

AP Chemistry Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry (also known as AP Chem) is a course and examination offered by the College Board as a part of the Advanced Placement Program to give American and Canadian high school students the opportunity to demonstrate thei ...

AP Computer Science Principles Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Principles (also known as AP CSP) is an AP Computer Science course and examination offered by the College Board under the Advanced Placement program. The course is designed as an equivalent to a first-sem ...

* AP Computer Science Java (debuting Fall 2023) *

AP Biology Advanced Placement (AP) Biology (also known as AP Bio) is an Advanced Placement biology course and exam offered by the College Board in the United States. For the 2012–2013 school year, the College Board unveiled a new curriculum with a greater ...

* AP US Government & Politics *

AP World History Advanced Placement (AP) World History: Modern (also known as AP World History, AP World, APWH, or WHAP) is a college-level course and examination offered to high school students in the United States through the College Board's Advanced Placemen ...

College Now courses

Wagner offers College Now courses through the City University of New York College Now (

Kingsborough Kingsburgh may refer to: * Kingsburgh, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa * Kingsburgh, Skye, Highland, Scotland * Kingsburgh, California, former name of Kingsburg, California Kingsburg is a city in Fresno County, California, United States. Kingsbu ...

and

College of Staten Island The College of Staten Island (CSI) is a public university in Staten Island, New York, United States. It is one of the 11 four-year senior colleges within the City University of New York system. Programs in the liberal arts and sciences and pro ...

Wagner College Wagner College is a private university in Staten Island, New York. It was established in 1883 and, as of the 2023–2024 academic year, it enrolled approximately 1,932 students, including 1,592 undergraduates and 340 graduates. Its theatre prog ...

, and St. John's University. There are courses in all subjects included. Courses include but are not limited too: * Behavioral & Social Science * Nutritional Science * Introduction to Computer Concepts * Communications

Learning centers

All Wagner students are organized in a learning center based on an academic subject, with its own Teacher/Coordinator, guidance counselor, Assistant Principal, and specific activities. Some learning centers are open to both zoned and non-zoned students. Wagner is currently going over an overhaul of its Learning Centers as well, with some debuting in the 2023–2024 school year. * Academy of Carpentry * Academy of Finance * Academy of Language & Culture * Academy of Science * Academy of Air Force Junior ROTC * Academy of Dance * Institute for Law & Politics * Institute for Theatrical Arts * Academy of Leadership * Academy of Media & Digital Technology * Academy of Music * Scholars Academy * Academy of Sports Management * Academy of Virtual Enterprise * Academy of Visual Arts * Vocational Preparatory Academy * Institute of Medicine (debuting Fall 2022) * Academy of Digital Communications (debuting Fall 2022) * Academy of STEM (debuting Fall 2022) * Future Teacher's Academy (debuting Fall 2022) * Career Skills Academy (debuting Fall 2022)

Scholars Academy

All "scholar" classes are weighted by 1.05, meaning that the average of the class is multiplied by 1.05. The weighted average of the class is the grade that is used in the configuration of the final average. To become a scholar, you must have above a 88 overall average. To remain in the program you must maintain above an 85 average in at least three scholars classes. An overall average below 88 will result in scholars probation and eventually removal from the program. All students must be inducted in the school's branch of

National Honor Society The National Honor Society (NHS) is one of the oldest, largest, and most widely recognized cocurricular student organizations in American high schools, with 1.4 million members. The purpose of the NHS is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to ...

, receive an Advanced Regents Diploma, and will take most, if not all, regents examinations New York State offers. The Scholars Academy has tough requirements, students must take each math course from

Algebra I Algebra is a branch of mathematics that deals with abstract systems, known as algebraic structures, and the manipulation of expressions within those systems. It is a generalization of arithmetic that introduces variables and algebraic operati ...

Pre-Calculus In mathematics education, precalculus is a course, or a set of courses, that includes algebra and trigonometry at a level that is designed to prepare students for the study of calculus, thus the name precalculus. Schools often distinguish betwe ...

. They must take Living Environment,

Chemistry Chemistry is the scientific study of the properties and behavior of matter. It is a physical science within the natural sciences that studies the chemical elements that make up matter and chemical compound, compounds made of atoms, molecules a ...

, &

Physics Physics is the scientific study of matter, its Elementary particle, fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. "Physical science is that department of knowledge whi ...

, and three years of a foreign language (Spanish, Italian, or French). Students in the academy are required to take numerous AP Courses, starting with

in sophomore year. Students in the academy receive the option of three tracks; a STEM Track (Students take AP Biology and then AP Computer Science for two years), a Humanities Track (Students take Latin and Student Teaching) and an Arts track.

Performing and visual arts programs

The performing and visual arts department was awarded $13 million for a 27,000 square-foot performing arts center, which opened in October 2016. The center includes a 2,680 square foot black box theater, professional dance studio, many new classrooms for chorus, guitar, band, theater, stage craft and carpentry, and a music suite containing five sound-proof practice rooms. The program is directed by Assistant Principal of Arts Paul Corn, who has served in that role for over ten years.

Music

The school has numerous bands: Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and a Marching Band. The school also has a wide range of Required Music courses, such as Beginning Instruments, and Guitar courses. The advanced bands perform throughout the city, as well as annual trips to compete in locations such as Florida, Washington, D.C., and Boston. In addition to instrumental music, Wagner has an Intermediate, Advanced, & Concert Chorus, along with a Chamber Choir.

Visual arts

Students in the Visual Arts Academy are placed in two tracks based on what they auditioned for, Drawing or Photography & Graphic Design. Students who choose to take art beginning as a freshman will take either Required Art, Ninth Grade Major Art, or Intro to Photography. Students will have classes on all major types of visual arts throughout their time in the academy. In Photography, students explore types of photography, graphic design, and including creativity in taking pictures.

Theatrical arts

Students in the Theatre Academy take four years of advanced theatre courses. Students will start with Acting, then Musical Theatre, then Advanced Acting, then Playwriting, and finally Directing. Created by Diana Zerega, the longtime Coordinator of the program, Wagner's theatre program is often considered second only to Laguardia High School's, the city's largest performing arts high school. In 2011, the school was awarded a $200,000 from Borough President

James Molinaro James P. Molinaro (born March 11, 1931) is an American politician and a former borough president of Staten Island. Molinaro first won the election as borough president of Staten Island on November 6, 2001, defeating his Democratic opponent Cou ...

to retrofit their auditorium after their production of ''

Les Misérables ''Les Misérables'' (, ) is a 19th-century French literature, French Epic (genre), epic historical fiction, historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published on 31 March 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. '' ...

''. The retrofit was complete in time for their Spring Musical of '' Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'' in 2012. The theatre program has also been invited to the historic St. George Theater to perform ''Les Misérables'' and ''Sweeney Todd''.

Student activities

Wagner has a large pool of Activities for students overseen by the Coordinator of Student Activities (COSA) and the Student Government. The school's include but are not limited to the Gay-Straight Alliance, Debate Team, Key Club, Service to Society Club, Science Research Club, and more.

SING productions

Founded at Midwood High School (Brooklyn, New York) in 1947, "

SING Singing is the art of creating music with the voice. It is the oldest form of musical expression, and the human voice can be considered the first musical instrument. The definition of singing varies across sources. Some sources define singi ...

" is a student-run theater production that includes script/acting, dancing, art, a chorus, and a band. Students are judged on areas including originality, singing, art, acting, band, script, and dancing. There are three groups: Sophmen (freshmen and sophomores conjoined), Juniors, and Seniors. Susan E. Wagner's SING program began in 1974, and averages nearly 200 to 250 participants yearly. Each student will end up spending about 300 hours on the show, however the students often have a strong pride from it.

International Festival production

The International Festival is a student-run production that showcases an assortment of food and a three-hour show presenting the diversity of the school through a collection of dances, fashion, songs, plays, and exhibitions from all around the world. This production includes over 20 cultural-based club with the goal of performing.

Athletics

Having over 30 Junior Varsity and Varsity teams, Wagner has a very large Athletics Department. The school's Boys Bowling Team has been very successful. In 2021, it won the PSAL Bowling Championship for the third year in a row. Wagner has teams in Badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Flag Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Handball, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Stunt, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, and more.

Notable alumni

Marcia Clark Marcia Rachel Clark (' Kleks, formerly Horowitz; born August 31, 1953) is an American prosecutor, author, television correspondent, and television producer. She was the lead prosecutor in the O. J. Simpson murder case. Early life and educatio ...

– Prosecutor in the

O.J. Simpson murder trial ''The People of the State of California v. Orenthal James Simpson'' was a criminal trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court, in which former NFL player and actor O. J. Simpson was tried and acquitted for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole B ...

Drita D'Avanzo Drita D'Avanzo (née Selmani; born February 6, 1976) is an American reality television personality who appeared on the VH1 series ''Mob Wives'' from 2011 to 2016. She also appeared on ''Mob Wives'' spinoff '' Big Ang''. Early life D'Avanzo was b ...

– Star of

VH1 VH1 (originally an initialism for Video Hits One) is an American basic cable television network that launched on January 1, 1985, and is currently owned by the MTV Entertainment Group unit of Paramount Global's networks division based in New Y ...

Mob Wives ''Mob Wives'' is an American reality television series that premiered on VH1 on April 17, 2011. The show focuses on the lives of several women residing in the New York City borough of Staten Island, whose family members and husbands have been ar ...

Vinny Guadagnino Vincent J. Guadagnino ( , ; born November 11, 1987) is an American reality television personality, best known for being a cast member on MTV's ''Jersey Shore''. Early life and education Guadagnino was born and raised in Emerson Hill, Staten Isla ...

– Star of

MTV MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...

’s

Jersey Shore The Jersey Shore, commonly called the Shore by locals, is the coast, coastal region of the U.S. state of New Jersey. The term encompasses about of shore, oceanfront bordering the Atlantic Ocean, from Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Perth Amboy in the n ...

, Hammerhead on The Masked Dancer *

Angelina Pivarnick Angelina Marie Pivarnick (born June 26, 1986) is an American reality television personality who is best known for starring in the first two seasons of the MTV reality show ''Jersey Shore'' and its spin-off, '' Jersey Shore: Family Vacation''. Pi ...

– Star of MTV's Jersey Shore * Frank Menechino – Former MLB player and current Minor League Hitting Coach * Alex Zablocki – Politician who ran for

New York City Public Advocate The office of New York City Public Advocate (President of the City Council) is a citywide elected position in New York City, which is first in line to succeed the Mayor of New York City, mayor. The office serves as a direct link between the wikti ...

in 2009 *

Lou Anarumo Lou Anarumo (born August 18, 1966) is an American football coach who is the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the defensive backs coach at Purdue under Joe Tiller and ...

– Football Coach and 2022 Super Bowl Defensive Coordinator for the Bengals * Jeff Wittek – YouTuber and Internet personality. *

Louis Rossmann Louis Anthony Rossmann (born November 19, 1988) is an American independent electronics technician, YouTuber, and consumer rights activist. He is the owner and operator of Rossmann Repair Group in Austin, Texas (formerly New York City), a comput ...

– YouTuber, Internet personality, and right to repair activist.

References

External links

Susan E. Wagner High School
{{DEFAULTSORT:Susan E. Wagner High School Educational institutions established in 1968 Public high schools in Staten Island