School Overview
John Dewey High School, located in the Gravesend neighborhood of Brooklyn, is a distinctive public secondary school known for its commitment to progressive educational philosophy. Named after the renowned educational reformer John Dewey, the school is famous for its unique "modular" scheduling system, which emphasizes student autonomy, personalized learning, and flexible pacing. Rather than traditional bell schedules, the school utilizes a system that allows students to take more responsibility for their time, often offering a wider variety of elective courses and an environment that mirrors a college campus more closely than a traditional high school.

The school is widely recognized for its diverse academic offerings and its focus on fostering an inclusive, community-oriented atmosphere. It provides students with a range of specialized programs, including extensive arts, technology, and humanities tracks, designed to cater to a broad spectrum of interests and career aspirations. By prioritizing critical thinking and experiential learning over rote memorization, John Dewey High School seeks to prepare its students not just for graduation, but for the demands of higher education and active participation in a democratic society.
2,150
Total Students
157.7
Full-Time Teachers
13.6
Student/Teacher Ratio
91.1%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for JOHN DEWEY HIGH SCHOOL
Demographic Student Count
White391
Hispanic617
Black476
Asian542
Two or More100
American Indian12
Pacific Islander12
  • Hispanic
    617 (28.7 %)
  • Asian
    542 (25.2 %)
  • Black
    476 (22.1 %)
  • White
    391 (18.2 %)
  • Two or More
    100 (4.7 %)
  • American Indian
    12 (0.6 %)
  • Pacific Islander
    12 (0.6 %)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: High School
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status: No
District: NEW YORK CITY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRICT #21
Phone: (718)373-6400
Website: http://www.johndeweyhighschool.org
Grade Range: 9th - 12th
Total Students: 2,150
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 157.7
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 13.6
NSLP Participation:1 Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch: 1,902
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 56
Grades Taught
Grade 9 612
Grade 10 607
Grade 11 491
Grade 12 426
Ungraded 14

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for JOHN DEWEY HIGH SCHOOL
Grade Student Count
Grade 9612
Grade 10607
Grade 11491
Grade 12426
Ungraded14
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for JOHN DEWEY HIGH SCHOOL
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female1,12052.1%
Male1,03047.9%
Nearby High Schools (Within 10 Miles)