James Madison High School (Brooklyn)
James Madison High School is a public high school in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City. It serves students in grades 9 through 12 and is in Region 6 of the New York City Department of Education.
The school was established in 1925, and its graduates include seven Nobel Prize winners and famous musicians, authors, and athletes. Other famous graduates include United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, two sitting U.S. senators, Bernie Sanders and Chuck Schumer, and former Senator Norm Coleman.
Academics
James Madison High School is organized in accordance with the house system. There are eight houses, each having a Teacher Coordinator, a Guidance Counselor, and an Assistant Principal assigned to supervise and assist students.Special programs
Most students who apply to James Madison High School have the opportunity to apply to a specific "House". These include:- Law Institute: The Law Institute is designed for successful Social Studies students. In addition to being taught reasoning and communication skills, the students develop an understanding of American Legal institutions. Students in the Law House take classes/participate in activities such as Mock Trial, Moot Court, We The People, Legal Economics, Criminology Advanced Placement Economics. It is a four-year program designed to promote an understanding of our legal system and help students develop an appreciation of the Constitution and basic civil liberties. Students will study about our government and laws in honors level classes and will hone their skills by participation in moot courts, mock trials and mock congressional hearings. We strive to have students become active citizens and critical thinkers who are well-prepared for post-secondary education.
- Bio-Medical Institute: The Bio Medical Institution is a program for talented students interested in science, technology, engineering, and medicine. The Bio Med House is composed of students and teachers who seek to understand the complex world around us. This program explores science through experimentation and hands-on experience. Through participation in honors and AP-level science courses such as Biology, AP Biology, Chemistry Honors, AP Chemistry, Physics Honors, Pathology, Laboratory Techniques, AP Environmental Science, AP Psychology and Science Research. Our scholars have tackled challenges that include building LEGO robots, dissecting fetal-pigs, participating in lectures at SUNY Downstate Medical College, performing soil and water purification tests, building urban gardens, among others. Bio-med scholars enjoy small classes with like-minded students that work together throughout their high school experience. Students also participate in field trips, research experiments, sports teams and school events with friends and colleagues.
- Math Academy: The Mathematics Academy, a prestigious and diversified program, provides a creative and challenging curriculum designed to enhance the student's problem-solving abilities and fosters an appreciation of mathematics. Students are given a unique opportunity to explore and investigate a variety of mathematics topics and to participate in math related contests, events and trips. Through participation in honors and AP-level science courses, our students have tackled challenges that include working together in small groups, participating in Math Team events, AP Calculus, designing robots, analyzing statistics and competing in state and national-level mathematics competitions.
- Liberal Arts House/AVID Academy: The Liberal Arts Academy offers a course of study in Humanities and Arts including project based studies in History, English, Literature, Creative Writing, Music and Theater. Project based coursework gives students opportunities to learn through experience. Through our growing network of partnerships including AVID, Roundabout Theater Company, Poetry Out Loud and Random House Publishing, students gain competencies in the Arts with exciting experiences such as acting workshops, writing seminars and gateway designed to model successful learning habits and prepare students for the college level. Liberal Arts academy students take classes with like-minded students that work together throughout their high school experience. Students also participate in field trips, sports teams and school events with friends and colleagues.
- Information Technology House: One of the newer houses at Madison. Known informally as the I.T. House, it is one of the only programs in NYC high schools that offers students the chance to take the Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel certification exams for free. The I.T. House is a program at James Madison High School for talented students interested in computer technology, web design, programming and computer engineering. This prestigious and diversified program provides a creative and challenging curriculum designed to enhance the student's problem-solving abilities and fosters an appreciation of the technological world in which we live.
- Academy of Finance: The Finance Academy is a program at James Madison High School for talented students interested in careers in finance, banking, economics, accounting, commerce and business management. This prestigious and diversified program provides a creative and challenging curriculum designed to enhance the student's problem-solving abilities and fosters an appreciation of comparative financial systems on both the macro and micro-scale. Through participation in rigorous mathematics and finance courses, our students have tackled challenges that include working together in small groups, participating in finance competitions, participating in internships, analyzing statistics and competing in state and national-level finance competitions.
- The International House : The International House for English Language Learners is a program at James Madison High School for students whose primary language is not English. The purpose of this program is to immerse students in the language and culture of the United States of America while also fostering a deep appreciation for the diverse cultures of the world. Students will benefit from the support of an instructional program focused on developing literacy and language skills. Through participation in ESL classes and by participating in language workshops and tutoring, students gain the confidence to communicate and read effectively in English.
- Instructional Support Services House: The Madison Academy of Citizenship and Community Service is a program at James Madison High School for students who will benefit from the support of an instructional program focused on developing literacy skills. Students in this house enjoy access to a literacy curriculum that will help them increase their reading levels so that they can be successful in all their academic endeavors. They participate in community service projects such as "Cross-Age Tutoring" which matches them up with elementary school students who need help learning how to read. It is our belief that by taking an active role in our school community and the community at large, the students will learn the importance of helping others and thus promote a sense of belonging within them.
- Madison Academy of Community and Civil Service: The Madison Academy of Citizenship and Community Service is a program at James Madison High School for students who will benefit from the support of an instructional program focused on developing literacy skills. Students in this house enjoy access to a literacy curriculum that will help them increase their reading levels so that they can be successful in all their academic endeavors. They participate in community service projects such as "Cross-Age Tutoring" which matches them up with elementary school students who need help learning how to read. It is our belief that by taking an active role in our school community and the community at large, the students will learn the importance of helping others and thus promote a sense of belonging within them.
Main campus
- Subbasement: Boiler Room and storage areas.
- Basement: The cafeteria is located in the building's basement.
- 1st Floor: On the first-floor main offices such as guidance and programming are located. As is the main entrance to the theater. The Music Department is in the back on the 1st floor. The library and swimming pool are also located on this floor.
- 2nd Floor: English Department, Access to Gym 1. Back of Gym 1 is the Athletic Wing staircase leading upstairs to gym 2/3 or down to the Pool
- 3rd Floor: Science Department, IT House, Language Department, Teachers Cafeteria access to Gym 2. Gym 2 shares a room with Gym 3 and has a staircase in the back leading up to Gym 4 or down to Gym 1
- 4th Floor: Science Department, Math Department, Social Studies Department, Law Department. Houses Gym 4 or otherwise known as the Health room which can only be accessed by either of the 3 gyms
- 5th Floor: Science Department, Computer Repair Room, Art classes, Social Studies Department.
- 6th Floor: Offices and Photography.
- Athletic fields: Football Field, Soccer Field, Baseball Field, Tennis Courts, Track, Lacrosse Field, Roller Blading, and several more athletic facilities.
Mock Trial
Sports
Madison also offers a wide range of Boys And Girls PSAL Varsity and Junior Varsity Sports: Football, Soccer, Basketball, Track and field, Wrestling, Baseball, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball, Swimming, Cross Country, Handball, Cheerleading, and Lacrosse.The James Madison Baseball Team is among the most successful in the school ranked fourth in the New York City PSAL and sixth including Catholic High Schools. They have been in the final four three years in a row. In 2008, the team made it to the finals but fell short. The program has put a lot of their players into college baseball and three professional players Frank Torre, Cal Abrams, Harry Eisenstat. Went undefeated in 1954 capturing the PSAL city championship team leaders who went on to become a highly decorated Homicide Detective with the Miami-Dade PD
Another very successful team is the Madison Wrestling Team. In addition to having many NYC Mayors Cup and City Champions, the team has posted a winning record and made the playoffs 10 out of the last 12 seasons, with an eight-year streak of making it past the first round of the PSAL Team Championships. The team was ranked #8 overall by MSG Varsity this past season.
James Madison High School is home to a very successful Swim Team. It has won countless competitions. It is currently coached by Mr. Davis who is retired but continues to train the swim team for each winter swimming season. He was retired in 2009. Mr. Tigre is the current swimming teacher at James Madison High School and has been for 2 years now. This is one of Madison's most prosperous teams.
Full list of teams (as of 2017)
- Badminton Boys Varsity
- Badminton Girls Varsity
- Baseball Boys Jr. Varsity
- Baseball Boys Varsity
- Basketball Boys Jr. Varsity
- Basketball Boys Varsity
- Basketball Girls Jr. Varsity
- Basketball Girls Varsity
- Bowling Boys Varsity
- Cross Country Boys
- Cross Country Girls
- Flag Football Girls Varsity
- Football Boys Jr. Varsity
- Football Boys Varsity
- Girls Varsity Bowling
- Golf Co-Ed Varsity
- Golf Girls Varsity
- Handball Boys Varsity
- Handball Girls Varsity
- Indoor Track Boys
- Indoor Track Girls
- Lacrosse Boys Varsity
- Lacrosse Girls Varsity
- Outdoor Track Boys
- Outdoor Track Girls
- Rugby Boys Varsity
- Soccer Boys Varsity
- Soccer Girls Varsity
- Softball Girls Jr. Varsity
- Softball Girls Varsity
- Stunt Co-Ed Varsity
- Swimming Boys Varsity
- Swimming Girls Varsity
- Table Tennis Boys Varsity
- Table Tennis Girls Varsity
- Tennis Boys Varsity
- Tennis Girls Varsity
- Volleyball Boys Varsity
- Volleyball Girls Jr. Varsity
- Volleyball Girls Varsity
- Wrestling Boys Varsity
- Wrestling Girls Varsity
SING!
Teachers
Distinguished alumni of James Madison High School include:- Cal Abrams, Major-League Baseball player.
- Maury Allen, sportswriter.
- Arthur Ashkin, Nobel Prize winner, physics.
- Julius Ashkin, Manhattan Project physicist.
- Gary Becker, Nobel Prize winner, economics.
- Paul Bender, attorney, author, judge, law professor, and former Dean of the Arizona State University College of Law.
- Mimi Benzell, opera singer.
- Walter Block, Austrian School economist, anarcho-capitalist theoretician, professor of economics
- Harry Boatswain, former professional NFL football player.
- Andrew Dice Clay, comedian.
- Stanley Cohen, Nobel Prize winner, medicine.
- Norm Coleman, former US Senator.
- Robert Dallek, historian.
- Roy DeMeo, mobster.
- Harry Eisenstat, Major League Baseball player
- Devale Ellis, professional football player.
- Harvey Feldman US Diplomat: known for planning the 1972 Nixon trip to China, US Ambassador to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, Alternative US Representative to the United Nations
- Sandra Feldman, President of the American Federation of Teachers.
- Stan Fields US biologist: discovered the two-hybrid system
- Norman Finkelstein political scientist, activist, professor, author.
- Sonny Fox, TV personality.
- Kevin Francis, class of 2011 CFL player
- Leonard Frey, actor.
- Joseph S. Fruton, born Joseph Fruchtgarten, Jewish Polish-American biochemist and historian of science.
- David Frye, comedian.
- Sid Ganis, motion picture executive.
- William Gaines, founding publisher of Mad magazine.
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice, US Supreme Court.
- Richard D. Gitlin – National Academy of Engineering, co-invention of DSL Bell Labs
- Marty Glickman, Olympian and broadcaster.
- Ron Haigler, basketball player.
- Stanley Myron Handleman, comedian.
- Ellis Horowitz, computer scientist, professor
- Garson Kanin, writer and director of plays and films.
- Stanley Kaplan, test preparation entrepreneur.
- Buddy Kaye, songwriter, musician, producer, author and publisher.
- Carole King, singer and songwriter.
- Paul L. Krinsky, U.S. Navy rear admiral.
- Martin Landau, Academy Award-winning actor.
- Rudy LaRusso, five-time All-Star NBA basketball player.
- Mell Lazarus, cartoonist.
- Andrew Levane, professional basketball player.
- Elaine Malbin, opera singer.
- Marvin Miller, class of 1933, MLB players union executive director.
- Bruce Morrow, radio personality.
- Herbert S. Okun, diplomat.
- Martin Lewis Perl, Nobel Prize winner, physics.
- Sylvia Porter, economist and journalist.
- Deborah Poritz, N.J. Attorney General then Chief Justice, N.J. Supreme Court.
- Chris Rock, comedian and actor who withdrew before graduation.
- Norman Rosten, poet, playwright and novelist.
- Dmitry Salita, professional boxer.
- Murray Saltzman, Reform Jewish rabbi.
- Bernie Sanders, US Senator, as well as a 2016 and 2020 U.S. Presidential candidate.
- Larry Sanders, British politician and brother of Bernie Sanders.
- Babe Scheuer, American football player
- Harvey Schlesinger, US District Judge for the Middle District of Florida
- Ted Schreiber, Major League Baseball player.
- Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senator
- Irwin Shaw, playwright, screenwriter and novelist.
- Judith Sheindlin, television personality.
- Barry Simon, IBM Professor of Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at Caltech.
- Robert Solow, Nobel Prize winner, economics.
- Irving Terjesen, All-American college basketball player for NYU and early professional.
- Frank Torre, professional baseball player.
- Sidney Verba, political scientist.
- David Wohl television and film character actor.
- Joel Zwick, film, television and theater director.