Chancellor Joel Klein and elected officials proudly make the announcement.
A new high school proposed for Manhattan’s Upper West Side will be named for one of New York City’s most beloved writers — and one of its most celebrated public school teachers.
Chancellor Klein gathered with Upper West Side elected officials and community leaders this week to propose the creation of the Frank McCourt High School, a new selective high school that, if approved, would open next September.
Best known as the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir Angela’s Ashes, Frank McCourt also worked as a New York City public school educator for 29 years, including 15 years as a teacher of English and creative writing at Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan.
“Frank McCourt was a remarkable writer, but I believe he achieved his greatest impact as a New York City public school teacher,” Chancellor Klein said. “I’m pleased to announce our intention to honor his legacy through the creation of a new public school that will nurture the talents of New York City students for generations to come.”
The proposed school would be located in the Louis D. Brandeis campus, and would serve students from the Upper West Side and across the City.