The New York City Department of Education strives to ensure that every student has the opportunity to earn a high school or General Education Development (GED) diploma. We recognize that many students need additional supports to succeed in their current school or require alternative pathways to attain a high school or GED diploma. District 79 was established to help students succeed by providing diverse and innovative educational opportunities that combine rigorous academic instruction with meaningful youth development.
VISION
Every student in District 79 will succeed academically while developing socially and emotionally to become a confident and productive member of society.
MISSION
District 79 will empower students through rigorous instruction and quality support services. A community of education leaders, District 79 will serve as a model for innovative and replicable strategies to engage students.
PURPOSE
In order to accomplish this vision and mission we must:
- Offer high quality programs to help students stay on track towards a high school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and support their post-certification college and/or career plans
- Advocate for and connect students who have experienced significant obstacles with educational opportunities that lead to a diploma and with post diploma options
- Help students in involuntary settings (e.g. incarceration, drug treatment centers) dramatically improve their academic and social and emotional skills and ensure a smooth transition to educational options upon release
- Ensure pregnant and/or parenting students stay on track to graduation and become successful parents through childcare, support services, and advocacy
- Provide adult students with high-quality educational and vocational/career opportunities
- Actively engage students and families to take ownership of their education and future
- Build partnerships within and beyond the Department of Education for our students
CORE VALUES
- Excellence - We believe all students can achieve at high levels and we hold ourselves accountable for their success.
- Communication – We value honest and direct dialogue. We welcome new ideas openly and make time to engage in challenging conversations with each other and our students. We are responsive.
- Commitment to Learning – We are committed to ensuring the growth and success of our students, families, and communities. We embrace feedback and change to grow our strengths and address our weaknesses.
- Integrity – We operate with truthfulness, honor, and reliability. We mean what we say and say what we mean, to each other and our students.
- Solutions Orientation – We value innovative solutions to meet individual students’ needs. We persist to find resolutions to even the most difficult challenges, holding ourselves accountable to high standards of excellence.
- Respect– We value professionalism and diversity, treating each other and our students with respect. We take responsibility for our actions as public service leaders.