M459 Manhattan International High School

M459 Manhattan International High School is a public high school in New York, NY, dedicated to serving newly arrived immigrant students who are English Language Learners. The school focuses on supporting Multi-Lingual Learners (MLLs) by developing their linguistic, cognitive, and cultural skills through a content-based English as a Second Language approach. Students come from over 50 countries and speak more than 40 languages, and the school serves those who have been in the U.S. for less than four years and scored below the 21st percentile on the Language Assessment Battery-Revised exam. The school operates on a 16-week semester schedule with interdisciplinary clusters centered on themes like Foundations, Choices, Actions and Reflections, Innovations and Transformations, and Achievers (Senior Institute), each guided by a team of five teachers. Graduation requires successful course completion, a portfolio defense, and passing the New York State Regents ELA exam.

The school was founded in 1993 by Mr. William Ling as part of the Coalition of Essential Schools and the Internationals Network for Public Schools. It was initially housed at P.S. 126 before moving to the Julia Richman Education Complex in 1994. The school’s mission emphasizes collaboration, professionalism, growth mindset, and effective speaking and listening as core values. These are embedded in classroom practice and assessed across disciplines. Its current principal, Gladys D. Rodriguez, is a former student who arrived in the U.S. at age 13 with no English proficiency, embodying the school’s commitment to student transformation and opportunity. The school is recognized by the Center for Education Equity for its success in helping newcomer students achieve remarkable outcomes.

Located at 317 East 67th Street, the school sits just a short distance from the 67th Street Library and St. Catherine's Park, with Talent Unlimited High School and Vanguard High School within a quarter-mile. It is also near the Lenox Hill neighborhood and 2nd Avenue, placing it in a central Manhattan educational corridor.

Services:

• College Preparation
• Competency-Based Learning
• Extracurricular Activities
• High School Education
• Student Support Services