Bernard Gassaway, principal from the late 1990s until 2002, is credited with improving the school over his tenure. He went on to become a superintendent of schools. In 2006, he published the book Reflections of an Urban High School Principal, Yo... about his experiences. In September 2003, Barbara Pleener was installed as principal. Controversy in the form of alleged "threatening and insubordinate" comments on the part of a faculty member followed. In October 2003, allegations surfaced regarding alleged improprieties at Jamaica High School, where Pleener had been principal in 1999; she was never charged. Students and parents protested and Pleener stepped down.
Economics
On November 11, 2006, BCHS's economics program received a "Blue Star" certification for the second year in a row for its financial literacy program, as 49 of the 50 students who participated in the WISE Financial Literary Exam passed. The school was one of only 45 schools receiving certification from 139 that applied. The award, offered by the New York Financial Literacy Coalition, is a free program created to increase the number of high school students who are financially knowledgeable and literate.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Art Department under Renee Darvin attracted a talented and diverse number of art teachers, including Bruce Degen who later went on to create The Magic Schoolbus series of children's books and television shows with Joanna Cole. Renee Darvin later went on to serve as Director of Art for the New York City Board of Education and to be a lecturer at the Teachers College at Columbia University. During their tenure at Beach Channel, the arts program offered a wide array of near-college-level courses including an after school life drawing program for advanced students. In 2000, artist Julie Dermansky undertook a project for the Department of Cultural Affairs for New York City and decorated the fencing and floors of the day care center with works entitled Ocean Fence and Ocean Floor.
Sports
The school teams are named the "Dolphins," after the school's mascot. Beach Channel High School has the only Crew team in New York City. Christian Horn is the current head coach of the team, having taken over following the retirement of William Stein, who started the team over two decades ago. In 1983, the boys varsity team participated in the Henley Regatta in Oxford, England, with only one 8-man boat and 8 oars. Today the team has multiple racing shells; including fours, eights, a two-man, and a single shell. Since the late 1980s the team has been co-ed, made up of both boys and girls four (both consisting of five individuals; a coxswain, two "port" rowers, and two "starboard" rowers, and an eight(a coxswain, four "port" rowers, and four "starboard" rowers. Now the team has a wide array of racing shells. In 2004/2005 the team received a brand new Vespoli 8, two brand new Vespoli 4s and 16 brand new concept 2 oars. Also the Dolphins made history by defeating the #2 rated school Curtis in the PSAL Playoffs becoming the first to do so in PSAL history. 2003 Boys Varsity Volleyball team won the Queens Division Championship, defeating Hillcrest High School. In 2004 they again played in the Queens Championship game losing to Richmond Hill High School.
