Neighborhood Music School/Park East High School

1921 - present

The Neighborhood Music School was initially opened in 1921 after the building was purchased from the Jewish Guild for the Blind. After numerous expansions and renovations, the school was reincorporated under the name Manhattan School of Music in 1938. In 1969, the school had outgrown the building and officially relocated to its current 120 Clairmont Ave location. The building was reoutfitted as Park East High School in1971, which was founded with the belief that education was a "collaborative process participated in by students, staff, parents, and the community, and its institutions.” In 1973, the New York Times described Park East High School as an experimental pilot school operating informally to serve around 300 “disadvantaged” youth. Park East High School remains in operation today.

Street view of Manhattan School of Music
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Details

Category
School
Instructional Level
High School
Audience
Teenagers
Tags
turnover, music, community, renovation, alternative

Location

  • 238 E 105th St, New York, NY 10029, USA
    ? - present

References

  1. “Back to School: Exploring Historic Schools in East Harlem.” Urban Archive. Landmark East Harlem, September 20, 2021. https://www.urbanarchive.org/stories/V3XUerNc9nJ.
  2. “History Timeline.” Manhattan School of Music, February 2, 2021.
  3. Seigel, Max H. 1973. 4 Harlem students urge funds for school for disadvantaged: Budget bureau assailed. New York Times (1923-), Feb 23, 1973.
  4. Friedberg, Bernard. 1974. Independent alternative high schools. New York Amsterdam News (1962-), May 18, 1974.