The building now houses several small schools: Channel View School for Research, Rockaway Park High School for Environmental Sustainability, Rockaway Collegiate High School, and the P256Q@Gateway Academy of special education.[3]
Channel View School for Research A school for 6th-12th graders, combines a focus on getting to college with hands-on activities and expeditions. The combination has produced high attendance and graduation rates and better-than-average preparation for college. A partnership with Jet Blue Airlines provides internships for older students and free flights for college visits.[3]
Rockaway Collegiate High School offers students additional time and support to help them be successful in high school and college by extending school hours and adding a summer program. Students develop study plans with teachers and are required to submit portfolios of their work.[3]
Principals
Dr. David Morris (October 2003–June 2014)
Barbara Pleener (September 2003–October 2003)
John Marcus, Acting Principal (February 2003–September 2003)
Andrea Holt (September 2002–February 2003)
Bernard Hopkins Gassaway (April 1997–June 2002)
Sandra C. Hassan (February 1988–April 1997)
Arthur Greenberg (September 1981–January 1987)
Robert L. Rappaport (September 1973–June 1981)
Bernard Gassaway, principal from the late 1990s until 2002, is credited with improving the school over his tenure. He went on to become a superintendent of schools.[6] In 2006, he published the book Reflections of an Urban High School Principal, Yo... about his experiences.[7]
In September 2003, Barbara Pleener was installed as principal. Controversy in the form of alleged "threatening and insubordinate" comments on the part of a faculty member followed. In October 2003, allegations surfaced regarding alleged improprieties at Jamaica High School, where Pleener had been principal in 1999; she was never charged.[8] Students and parents protested and Pleener stepped down.[9]
Economics
On November 11, 2006, BCHS's economics program received a "Blue Star" certification for the second year in a row for its financial literacy program, as 49 of the 50 students who participated in the WISE Financial Literary Exam passed. The school was one of only 45 schools receiving certification from 139 that applied.[10] The award, offered by the New York Financial Literacy Coalition, is a free program created to increase the number of high school students who are financially knowledgeable and literate.[11]
Music
The Beach Channel High School Marching Band, Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble were well-known in Southern Queens. Under the direction of Barry Domfort, the band performed at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Queens College, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Forest Park, Boys and Girls High School, Brooklyn College, and Antun's. The Marching Band performed at St. Patrick's Day, Ethnic Pride and Memorial Day parades in Manhattan and Queens and at Disney World twice. The Jazz Ensemble performed at various local venues including Russo's On The Bay and The Beach Club. The band has also performed for political figures including former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. BCHS had a history of music educators, including Sidney Kolodney, Jack Nowinski, Louis Barella, Alex Leicht and Gerald Brazel. [citation needed]
Arts
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Art Department, under Renee Darvin, attracted a talented and diverse number of art teachers, including Bruce Degen who later went on to create The Magic School Bus series of children's books and television shows with Joanna Cole. Renee Darvin later served as Director of Art for the New York City Board of Education and a lecturer at the Teachers College at Columbia University.[12] During their tenure at Beach Channel, the arts program offered a wide array of near-college-level courses including an afterschool life drawing program for advanced students.
Beach Channel High School had one of the only Crew (rowing) teams in New York City. Christian Horn was the head coach of the team, after the retirement of William Stein, who served as head coach for two decades. In 1983, the boys' varsity team participated in the Henley Regatta in Oxford, England, with only one 8-man boat and 8 oars. The team was co-ed, made up of both boys and girls four (both consisting of five individuals; a coxswain, two "port" rowers, and two "starboard" rowers), and an eight (a coxswain, four "port" rowers, and four "starboard" rowers). In 2004, they again played in the Queens Championship game losing to Richmond Hill High School.[citation needed]
↑Costello, Brian (April 28, 2018). "Jets land Far Rockaway native in sixth round". New York Post. Retrieved October 9, 2018. Gang Green picked defensive lineman Folorunso "Foley" Fatukasi in the sixth round, the 180th-overall pick. Fatukasi grew up in Far Rockaway and played at Beach Channel High School.
