MVB Departments

English

Mr. Brian Panepinto, Assistant Principal

The English Department strives to give students the literacy skills they need to succeed in school and their careers. As they discuss culturally relevant conflicts and themes in literature and non-fiction texts, students learn to think critically about the world around them and to defend their views in discussion and in writing. Our goal is to expose students to a wide array of genres in literature such as novels, plays, short stories, poetry, and literary criticism to develop and strengthen their abilities to comprehend and analyze elaborate texts.

In addition to standard ELA classes needed for graduation, MVB offers Advanced Placement courses in English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, and Psychology. Students can take a variety of elective courses including Journalism, Creative Writing, and Film Studies. Advanced students can join our Scholars and Student Leadership classes.

English as New Language Learners (ENL)

Mr. Brian Panepinto, Assistant Principal

[email protected] Room 221

The MVB ENL team takes great pleasure in welcoming students from around the world. We offer an integrated ENL program for our students with the purpose of improving and developing English language skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. We aim to have our students embrace their own cultures at home while exploring the diverse cultures of NYC around them by bringing their global viewpoints into our MVB classrooms.

Instructional Support Services (ISS)

Mr. Thomas Mehldau, Assistant Principal

[email protected] Room 201

The Instructional Support Services department at Martin Van Buren High School works to create specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of students with educational disabilities. In accordance with state and federal regulations, Martin Van Buren High School is committed to providing each student a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment (LRE) to meet the academic, social, and physical needs of each student.

Mathematics

Ms. Juditha Damiao, Assistant Principal

[email protected] Room 182

A major goal of the Mathematics Department of Martin Van Buren High School is to give our students the necessary Math skills that they will need to be successful in college and future careers. Our staff incorporates real-life scenarios that will allow students to appreciate the math concepts that they learn throughout each Math course.

Our dedicated teachers, mentors and other supporting staff make sure that students learn math with great rigor and critical thinking while enjoying the whole process of the learning, interaction and appreciating each other’s contribution to make learning fun, enjoyable and meaningful. Students are then equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to compete as they pursue their dreams and aspirations in life making or creating their valuable contributions locally or globally.

In addition to the standard NYC courses, our new Maker Space elective provides hands-on, creative ways to encourage students to design, experiment, build and invent as they deeply engage in science, engineering and tinkering. Our Mathematics Advanced Placement courses include AP Calculus, AP Computer Statistics, and AP Statistics.

Science

Ms. Marie Micheline Jean, Assistant Principal

[email protected], Room 248

The goal of the Science Department is to allow learners to obtain knowledge and skills that are not the results of rote learning or the memorization of abstractions devoid of personal experience but rather for students to achieve in a way that correlates and gives purpose for the present and the future.

In addition to the required courses such as Living Environment, Earth Science, Physics and Chemistry, we prepare students to be college ready through challenging Advanced placement classes such as AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science which allow students to earn up to 19 college credits with a minimum passing score of 4 out of 5 on the AP exam. This allows both students and parents to save over $34,000 when admitted to an Ivy league college such as Columbia, Harvard and Yale.

Furthermore, we offer elective classes such as Research which is part of the NYCs High School Science Research Pathways Program. Our Robotics classes are designed for students interested in the field of engineering and programming while our Forensics course is for students interested in the application of science to laws during a criminal investigation.

Social Studies

The Social Studies Department is committed to helping students develop an understanding of the world in which they live as well as the history of this nation. As they move from course to course, students are encouraged to think critically, develop their research and writing skills, and prepare for college and the 21st century world that awaits them. They are also challenged to become active, engaged citizens in their school and community by taking part in various civic activities that include Moot Court, Mock Trial, Soapbox Challenge, and Voter Registration Drive.

In addition to taking the standard courses, Martin Van Buren offers Advanced Placement courses in World History, US History, and Psychology. At the start of senior year, students have the ability to earn free college credit from Syracuse University in the following courses: Introduction to the Analysis of Public Policy (PST 101), Economics of Personal Finance (ECN 305), and Introduction to Sociology (SOC 101).

Visual Art, Music, & Business & Technology

Ms. Juditha Damiao, Assistant Principal

[email protected] Room 182

Students will explore the Visual Arts through a variety of topics and techniques. Students learn to reflect on the many different Art disciplines through the exploration and creation of a variety of projects in our Architectural Design, Cinematography, Graphic 3-D Design, Fine Arts, and Cartooning courses.

The Music department at Martin Van Buren High School is dedicated to developing musical interests and talents. We offer Music Appreciation which is designed to introduce students to music and its role in society through a variety of projects and other learning experiences. We also offer three levels of Piano & Music Theory, which are hands-on, performance based classes designed for students of all abilities to improve their music literacy skills through the study of diverse repertoire, piano technique, music theory and music history.

At Martin Van Buren High School we placed emphasis on developing proficient fundamental computer skills required for all career pathways. Students will learn essentials for working in a business environment, managing a business, and owning a business in our Intro to Computer Science and Business Entrepreneurship classes.