School Overview
John Dewey High School, located in the Gravesend neighborhood of Brooklyn, is a distinctive public secondary school known for its commitment to progressive educational philosophy. Named after the renowned educational reformer John Dewey, the school is famous for its unique "modular" scheduling system, which emphasizes student autonomy, personalized learning, and flexible pacing. Rather than traditional bell schedules, the school utilizes a system that allows students to take more responsibility for their time, often offering a wider variety of elective courses and an environment that mirrors a college campus more closely than a traditional high school.

The school is widely recognized for its diverse academic offerings and its focus on fostering an inclusive, community-oriented atmosphere. It provides students with a range of specialized programs, including extensive arts, technology, and humanities tracks, designed to cater to a broad spectrum of interests and career aspirations. By prioritizing critical thinking and experiential learning over rote memorization, John Dewey High School seeks to prepare its students not just for graduation, but for the demands of higher education and active participation in a democratic society.
2,209
Total Students
163.2
Full-Time Teachers
13.5
Student/Teacher Ratio
88.6%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for JOHN DEWEY HIGH SCHOOL
Demographic Student Count
White536
Hispanic605
Black355
Asian634
Two or More51
American Indian16
Pacific Islander12
  • Asian
    634 (28.7%)
  • Hispanic
    605 (27.4%)
  • White
    536 (24.3%)
  • Black
    355 (16.1%)
  • Two or More
    51 (2.3%)
  • American Indian
    16 (0.7%)
  • Pacific Islander
    12 (0.5%)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: High School
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status: No
District: NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #21
Phone: (718)373-6400
Website: http://www.johndeweyhighschool.org
Grade Range: 9th - 12th
Total Students: 2,209
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 163.2
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 13.5
NSLP Participation:1 Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch: 1,902
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 56
Grades Taught
Grade 9 631
Grade 10 570
Grade 11 483
Grade 12 510
Ungraded 15

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for JOHN DEWEY HIGH SCHOOL
Grade Student Count
Grade 9631
Grade 10570
Grade 11483
Grade 12510
Ungraded15
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for JOHN DEWEY HIGH SCHOOL
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female1,14651.9%
Male1,06348.1%
Nearby High Schools (Within 10 Miles)