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Port Richmond High School

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Coordinates: 40°38′4″N 74°8′34″W / 40.63444°N 74.14278°W / 40.63444; -74.14278
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Port Richmond High School
Address
Map
85 St Josephs Ave

Staten Island
,
New York
10302

United States
Coordinates40°38′4″N 74°8′34″W / 40.63444°N 74.14278°W / 40.63444; -74.14278
Information
TypePublic
Established1928
NCES School ID360010302850[1]
PrincipalAndrew Greenfield
Teaching staff137.34 (on an FTE basis)[1]
Grades9-12
Enrollment1,693 (2022-2023)[1]
Student to teacher ratio12.33[1]
CampusCity: Large
Color(s)Red and White
   
MascotRaiders
YearbookSoundings
Websitewww.portrichmondhs.org

Port Richmond High School is a public high school on the North Shore of Staten Island, New York City, New York. It is located in the Elm Park neighborhood, at 85 St Josephs Avenue between Innis Street and Charles Avenue. It has approximately 100 full-time teachers and a student-to-teacher ratio of 21.5.[1]

The school serves grades 9-12, and offers JROTC, Business, Culinary Arts, Medical Technology, and TV Media specialty programs. Students eligible for the "Gateway to Higher Education" and "Collegiate Academy" Honors programs may take accelerated courses, and college-level Advanced Placement coursework. There are periods 0–9 in this school. Freshmen and Sophomores are usually 1–8. Period 0 is used for JROTC, and College Now classes where students can earn college credits. Two state-of-the-art STEAM Labs (Science-Technology-Engineering-Art-Math) opened in 2019, complete with access to Apple technologies, 3D printing and engraving, LEGO robotics, virtual reality, stained glass making, machining and woodworking.[2]

History

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The school was founded in 1928.[3]

On June 25, 2018, Oneatha Swinton was removed from her position as principal after being charged with insurance fraud. She was accused of ending the honors program, misappropriation of the school budget, cronyism, as well as various other charges by the staff, parents and the community.[4]

On May 19, 2021, long-time teacher, staff member, and assistant principal of the History department, Lisa Pollari, passed away due to complications from a long battle with cancer, a few months before her 50th birthday.[5] On November 18, 2023, a street naming ceremony was held, during which the street where the school resides, St. Joseph's Ave, was honorarily renamed to Lisa Pollari Way. The ceremony was attended by Pollari's family, staff members, alumni, and U.S. Representative Nicole Malliotakis.[6]

Changes to School Mascot

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The original mascot of the school from the 1920's to 1940's was the Red Raider. At some point in the 1940's, the school changed their mascot to the Minstrels, a term associated with 19th and early 20th century comedy shows where White actors would wear blackface to portray harmful stereotypes about African-Americans.[7] This was apparently due to the school's muddy football field, which often gave players' faces a brown coloring.[8]

In 1986, the student body voted to change the mascot back to the original Red Raider.[citation needed] What they didn't know, was that the original mascot name also referred to a racial stereotype. "Red raider" was a derogatory term used to describe Native Americans who sided with the Confederacy during the American Civil War.[9]

In April 2001, State Education Commissioner Richard Mills urged all public high schools to drop the generations-old use of Native American terms and symbols for school nicknames and mascots. The Port Richmond mascot was changed to be simply, the Raiders.[10]

Demographics

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The school is diverse, at 24.3% White, 30.6% Black, 7.0% Asian, and 37.8% Hispanic.[11] Over half of the students receive a free or discounted lunch.[11] In 2011–12, the school has significantly more freshman students than any other grade — nearly twice as many freshman as sophomores, and nearly half the total population is freshmen; juniors and seniors (combined) represented only one-third of the population.[1]

National Honors Society (ARISTA)

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Any student in the third or fourth year who has attained an average of 90% or over the preceding year, and has met the service requirements by giving service to the school and the community is eligible for nomination to the National Honors Society. An overall average below ninety will result in probation and eventually removal from the program.[citation needed]

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Search for Public Schools - PORT RICHMOND HIGH SCHOOL (360010302850)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  2. ^ "Programs - STEAM LAB". Port Richmond High School. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  3. ^ "Overview - Port Richmond High School - R445 - New York City Department of Education". February 27, 2016. Archived from the original on February 27, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2019. Founded in 1928, Port Richmond High School
  4. ^ Linge, Mary Kay; Edelman, Susan (June 25, 2018). "Alleged insurance scammer principal finally ousted from job". New York Post. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  5. ^ Port Richmond HS TV Media (May 20, 2021). "In Loving Memory of Lisa Pollari". via Vimeo. Retrieved on December 5, 2023.
  6. ^ Office of Rep. Nicole Malliotakis [@RepMalliotakis] (18 November 2023). "Nicole joined the Port Richmond High School community to celebrate the life of Assistant Principal Lisa Pollari who was taken from us too soon. Having so many family members, friends, students, colleagues and alumni in attendance was a tribute to the impact she had on so many." via X. Retrieved on 5 December 2023.
  7. ^ Encyclopædia Britannica - minstrel show. Retrieved on May 3, 2023.
  8. ^ Miraldi, Rob (June 4, 2019). "Free speech is protected, but doesn't have to be promoted". Poughkeepsie Journal. Retrieved on May 3, 2023.
  9. ^ (November 13, 2009). "1861 - Confederacy signs treaties with Native Americans". History.com. Retrieved on May 3, 2023.
  10. ^ The Official Port Richmond High School Alumni Association (December 8, 2013). "Raiders? Minstrels? Red Raiders? 'A Rose by any other name...'". Retrieved on May 3, 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Port Richmond High School". School Digger. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  12. ^ Shaikin, Bill (November 17, 2015). "George Genovese, 'greatest scout of all time,' dies at 93". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  13. ^ Matteo, Thomas (May 6, 2012). "Staten Island has a long, proud history of singers who made it on the world stage". Staten Island Advance. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  14. ^ Platt, Tevah (October 4, 2009). "Council candidate's historic run, defined by passion". Staten Island Advance. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  15. ^ Bruno, Diane; Travers, Bill (December 10, 1989). "Taranto perfect leader for city". New York Daily News. p. 86. Retrieved November 1, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Lovallo, Lauren (September 6, 2021). "'Whoopty' rapper CJ's 'heart is in Staten Island,' but his mind is on greatness". silive.
  17. ^ Berman, Zach (March 8, 2018). "Eagles make coaching changes official; two assistants added, six earn new titles/responsibilities". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  18. ^ Donnelly, Maureen (May 2, 2010). "P.R.H.S. opens doors for 1st Hall of Fame class". Staten Island Advance. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
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Official website


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