Harvey Milk High School Harvey Milk High School is a public high school in East Village of New York City designed for, though not limited to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender young people, as well as those questioning their sexuality. The school was originally run by the Hetrick-Martin Institue (HMI), an organization that provides social support to at-risk youth, especially non-heterosexuals. After becoming a fully accredited public school in 2002, the high school is now administered by the New York City Department of Education, separate from HMI. The school and the non-profit still share space in the same building, with Hetrick-Martin providing a majority of the school's arts and culture programming.

Harvey Milk High School The school was founded in 1985 as a small, two-room program with just over a dozen students by HMI in collaboration with the New York City Department of Education 's Career Education Center. The Department of Education administers the school and is responsible for admissions. Harvey Milk was created as an alternative education program for youth who find it difficult or impossible to attend their home schools due to threats, violence, or harassment. HMHS came to national attention in 2002, when the Board of Education authorized a $3.2 million capital expansion of the school as one of its last acts prior to becoming a mayoral agency. At this time, the school also became a four-year, fully accredited public high school.

Harvey Milk High School The school population comprises 5% white students, 41% black students, 3% Asian students, and 51% Hispanic students. The student body includes 3% English language learners and 29% special education students. Boys account for 62% of the students enrolled and girls account for 38%.

Who Is Harvey Milk? In 1977, when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Harvey Milk became the first openly gay elected official in the United States. He was aware of the tremendous discrimination and prejudice that confronted gays and lesbians. Under his urging, the city council passed a Gay Rights Ordinance in 1978 that protected gays from being fired from their jobs. On November 27, 1978 Milk was assassinated by Dan White, a former police officer who had clashed with Milk over gay issues.

Harvey Milk High School This is a scene of the first day of school at Harvey Milk High School. HATE SUPPORT The Hetrick-Martin Institute creates a safe and supportive environment in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, ages 12 to 24, can reach their full potential.

Harvey Milk Opponents Believe: Harvey Milk High is a waste of city money and is illegal under sexual bias laws. Harvey Milk, by segregating homosexuals from their straight peers, promotes the return to a "separate but equal" educational system.

In response to the opponents, Harvey Milk promotes itself as a life or death alternative for the city's gay youth.

Target Students http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtoBwOWc6Zs

Target Students Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender young people, as well as those questioning their sexuality.

Who Has Access? The school is open for ALL students, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or physical abilities. Harvey Milk High is open to any student that applies.

How Is IT’s Success Defined? The Hetrick-Martin Institute, Home of the Harvey Milk High School is successful because of its ability to present LGBTQ individuals with an alternative option for homes and schooling. It gives the LGBTQ community a place to turn to where they won’t feel abnormal, abandoned, bullied, or tormented for being “different” in the eyes of a judgmental society. The Harvey Milk School grants children 12-24 the opportunity to feel personal fulfillment through after school care, which includes free meals, STD, HIV & pregnancy counseling and testing, obtain and work towards worthy goals through academic enrichment and job readiness and career exploration. This school also lets LGBTQ know that someone does care, that they are fine just the way they are and that it gets better but most of all I think they provide their “special” students with an overall peace of mind.

How Is IT’s Success Defined? The school has a 92% graduation rate, far above the state average, and 60% of students attend institutions of higher learning.

How Is IT’s Success Defined? Evidence is in the product: A quote from a previous student at Hetrick Martin, "I am writing this letter from SUNY Purchase, where I am now a second year Women's Studies major. I am often asked what life was like at Hetrick-Martin, and I say, 'Picture the most supportive and caring place, throw in the most unique and wholly selfless people, with the most courageous kids.' [Hetrick-Martin] helped me find a place to live; they helped me find a better way to live." — Yours in Solidarity and Gratitude, Arthur

What Makes It Work? School staff and partners strongly support the social and emotional needs of a wide range of students in ways that allow them to focus on academics. The school has developed and communicated clear, targeted goals that focus on instructional improvement to ensure that all students receive support. The school aligns an array of resources, including teacher and student time, in ways that support the instructional goals of the school. Teachers effectively communicate to parents and students through an ongoing dialogue that highlights student progress. The school environment combines support and encouragement that allows families to engage with the work of the school.

What Makes It Work? The continual growth and implementation of academics, psychological and physical health counseling and education, job and career exploration, donations, volunteer work, alumni give back, also helps it to work, along with the diversity of LGBTQ and dedication of staff and teachers. Besides offering a supportive learning environment, Harvey Milk High School also provides a number of programs for students. These range from health and wellness programs to college prep programs.

Can It Be Replicated? Yes: Maybe: Support social and emotional needs of students to allow them to focus on academics Develop clear and defined goals Provide an array of resources Effective communication between parents-teachers-students School environment that supports and encourages families to engage with the work of the school Maybe: Hetrick-Martin Institute After School Progams / Support Services New Jersey Thomas Krever, Executive Director of Hetrick-Martin. "Start out small, go step by step, and obtain support from professionals, business people, and the community." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp2p4n-u8MU

References: "2009 National School Climate Essay" GLSEN. 14 September 2010 www.glsen.org/ "Our Programs and Services" HMI.org Who Is Harvey Milk http://www.ctgay.org/who-was-harvey-milk-and-why-is-he-important-part-1.htm