It counts among its alumni producer and director Larry Charles, filmmaker Spike Lee, Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies, radio personality David Brody, photographer Gregory Crewdson, WWE wrestler Jayson Paul (aka JTG), scientist Robert Sapolsky, astrologer-journalist Eric Francis, news correspondent Ray Suarez, and film actress Michelle Ye.

There are also many electives and extra curricular activities, such as dance, business education, technology, home economics, and health careers and occupations.

These include courses in John Dewey High School houses the first Academy of Finance, which was started by Sandy Weill in 1982.

The Academy of Finance prepares students for post-secondary education and careers through a theme-based, contextualized curriculum approach.

The Academy of Finance introduces high school students to the broad career opportunities of the financial services industry.

One of three member programs of the National Academy Foundation, it operates as a small learning community and is now located in more than 275 high schools nationwide.

During the sophomore year, a student who is interested in joining submits an application and waits for an interview with the Academy coordinator.

Its mission is to establish racial harmony, respect, peace, and an end to violence in schools and the surrounding community.

The Council for Unity network currently is at more than sixty schools and community centers in New York City, Long Island, Texas, and California.

In the early decades of its operation, Dewey had no letter or number grades, and there was no school-wide academic honor society.

Each major department has one — English & Literature, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Foreign Language, Music, Art and the Universal Resource Center.

For each band (class period), subject teachers in designated resource centers are there to facilitate students in academics.

Students who are free may go to resource centers for assistance in homework, projects, or independent study, or to socialize with others.

This enables students to fulfill their personal interests and can concurrently build a steady foundation for advancements in their life.

There are annual events throughout the campus and the school, such as the Octoberfest, Club Fair, Multicultural Show, Fashion Show, Clash of the Genres (in which different music genres compete), Country Fair (with games, inflatable balloons, caricatures, music, food, sports, and other activities are held all over the school), Field Day, Spirit Week, Blood Drive (students 16 or older have the option to donate blood to those in need) and the "Dewey or Don't We?"

Their accomplishments have led to visits from the previous New York City school chancellor Dennis Walcott and astronaut Gregory Olsen.

"[citation needed] In 2010, John Dewey High School's short film produced by the Film Class titled "A Block From Home" which was about an innocent victim who was caught in cross fire gun violence nearby Sheepshead Bay High School and takes on the progressive healing and the will to forge ahead.