Our Mission
We seek to create a nurturing environment where all students can learn. We foster the development of natural curiosity towards creative expression, creative learning and creative service. Our academic program is student-centered, rigorous, and allied to preparation for post-secondary education.
Wagner Today
In September 2007, Wagner begins its fifteenth year as a New York City school. Our students may enroll at Wagner in the seventh or the ninth grade. We select our seventh grade students by application and interview. They continue in the 8th grade and may elect to stay with us through high school graduation. To enter in the ninth grade, students need to apply and be selected by the Department of Education’s system of high school enrollment. Students from western Queens (districts 24 and 30) have priority for admission. The student population reflects the ethnic and national mix of Western Queens.
Wagner has a principal and an assistant principal. In addition, the middle school has a coordinator. Two part-time counselors support our two full-time guidance counselors. All of our faculty members have chosen to be here. Our thirty-seven teachers meet in a variety of committees to work on all aspects of school functioning and improvement. We do not have a dean for disciplinary matters.
During 2006-2007, Wagner collaborated with The New York City Writing Project so that we can become a writing intensive school. That partnership is continuing this year. In addition, for the first a core group of teachers is dedicated to working only with ninth grade students. They have designed a new course called seminar to assist students in making a smooth transition to the academic expectations of our high school.
For many years, we have taught American history through the American Social History Project, which combines history, literature, and (with some groups) art. Other enrichment programs include several interdisciplinary College Now courses, that students may begin taking in their sophomore year. If successful, they can enroll in College Connection, where they can earn both high school and college credits at LaGuardia Community College.
Wagner hopes to receive receiving funding from the Federal government for a Career and Technical Education program in commercial photography. We also have theatre classes in the middle school and high school, instrumental music in the middle school, and digital arts in the high school. All students are required to take a course in decision-making and an unpaid internship to prepare them for life after high school.
After meeting minimum course requirements for graduation, students have opportunities to take electives in English, social studies, mathematics, science, foreign language, physical education and the arts. Students are encouraged to become well prepared academically for their further education, which must continue after graduation from high school.
Wagner has a variety of clubs and student activities. Combining our forces with International High School and Middle College High School, the Panthers field teams in twelve interscholastic sports. A listing of clubs, activities and interscholastic (PSAL) sports can be found on page
Each spring, we select students to attend a national conference sponsored by the Middle College National Consortium. Every year has a different theme and meets in a new city. This spring we a re sending a group of students to New Orleans. The school pays for all costs for traveling to and attending the conference.
One important strength of Wagner is the feeling of community that comes from being a small school where all students are known well. Students have easy access to their advisory teacher, guidance counselor, administrators and subject area teachers.