Julia Richman Education Complex

[8] By 1990 the NYC Board of Education identified JRHS as having the worst statistics of student achievement in Manhattan.

[15] Prior to its closing, Julia Richman High School had developed a reputation for academic failure with a graduation rate of 35%.

[21] Public opposition was widespread and included Governor David Paterson,[22] city council member Jessica Lappin, and State Senator Liz Krueger.

"[23] Hunter College sought to build a science tower on the site of the Julia Richman campus.

[24] In 2008, Manhattan Community Board 8, which represents the Upper East Side, voted for a resolution opposing the plan.

[28] Urban Academy is a member of the Coalition of Essential Schools and requires students to successfully complete six core proficiencies to graduate (Creative Arts, Criticism, Literature, Math, Science, and Social Studies).

[33] The school's curriculum encourages empathy and respect for others through investigation of different viewpoints and making connections with their own lives.

As a member of the New York State Performance Standards Consortium, in order to graduate Vanguard students demonstrate mastery in Literature, History, Math and Science by presenting original analysis, research, and mathematical models to faculty committees and must take one NY State Regents exam in English.

[42] The school is a member of the New York Performance Standards Consortium, which opposes high-stakes "one size does not fit all" tests.

[43][44] In addition to the six separate schools, the JREC includes facilities offering services to them all: The schools also share an art gallery, auditorium, cafeteria, ceramics studio, culinary arts room, dance studio, gymnasiums, library, swimming pool, and a mini-theater.