James Madison High School is a public high school in the borough of Brooklyn in New York City. It serves students in grades 9 through 12, and is in Region 6 of the New York City Department of Education.
Established in 1925, James Madison High School has graduated four Nobel Prize winners, famous musicians, authors, and athletes. Two sitting U.S. Senators, Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Charles Schumer (D-NY), are graduates, as is former Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN). United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is also a graduate.
James Madison High School is organized in accordance with the house system. There are eight houses, each having a Teacher Coordinator, a Guidance Counselor, and an Assistant Principal assigned to supervise and assist students.
Most students who apply to James Madison High School have the opportunity to apply to a specific "House". These include:
Law Institute: The Law Institute is designed for successful Social Studies students. In addition to being taught reasoning and communication skills, the students develop an understanding of American Legal institutions. Students in the Law House take classes/participate in activities such as Mock Trial, Moot Court, We The People, Legal Economics, Criminology Advanced Placement Economics. It is a four-year program designed to promote an understanding of our legal system and help students develop an appreciation of the Constitution and basic civil liberties. Students will study about our government and laws in honors level classes and will hone their skills by participation in moot courts, mock trials and mock congressional hearings. We strive to have students become active citizens and critical thinkers who are well-prepared for post-secondary education.
Bio-Medical Institute: The Bio Medical Institution (Bio Med House) is a program for talented students interested in science, technology, engineering, and medicine. The Bio Med House is composed of students (scholars) and teachers who seek to understand the complex world around us. This program explores science through experimentation and hands-on experience. Through participation in honors and AP-level science courses such as Biology, AP Biology, Chemistry Honors, AP Chemistry, Physics Honors, Pathology, Laboratory Techniques, AP Environmental Science, AP Psychology and Science Research. Our scholars have tackled challenges that include building LEGO robots, dissecting fetal-pigs, participating in lectures at SUNY Downstate Medical College, performing soil and water purification tests, building urban gardens, among others. Bio-med scholars enjoy small classes with like-minded students that work together throughout their high school experience. Students also participate in field trips, research experiments, sports teams and school events with friends and colleagues.
Math Academy: The Mathematics Academy, a prestigious and diversified program, provides a creative and challenging curriculum designed to enhance the student's problem-solving abilities and fosters an appreciation of mathematics. Students are given a unique opportunity to explore and investigate a variety of mathematics topics and to participate in math related contests, events and trips. Through participation in honors and AP-level science courses, our students have tackled challenges that include working together in small groups, participating in Math Team events, AP Calculus, designing robots, analyzing statistics and competing in state and national-level mathematics competitions.
Liberal Arts House/AVID Academy: The Liberal Arts Academy offers a course of study in Humanities and Arts including project based studies in History, English, Literature, Creative Writing, Music and Theater. Project based coursework gives students opportunities to learn through experience. Through our growing network of partnerships including AVID, Roundabout Theater Company, Poetry Out Loud and Random House Publishing, students gain competencies in the Arts with exciting experiences such as acting workshops, writing seminars and gateway designed to model successful learning habits and prepare students for the college level. Liberal Arts academy students take classes with like-minded students that work together throughout their high school experience. Students also participate in field trips, sports teams and school events with friends and colleagues.
Information Technology House: One of the newer houses at Madison. Known informally as the I.T. House, it is one of the only programs in NYC high schools that offers students the chance to take the Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel certification exams for free. The I.T. House is a program at James Madison High School for talented students interested in computer technology, web design, programming and computer engineering. This prestigious and diversified program provides a creative and challenging curriculum designed to enhance the student's problem-solving abilities and fosters an appreciation of the technological world in which we live.
Academy of Finance: The Finance Academy is a program at James Madison High School for talented students interested in careers in finance, banking, economics, accounting, commerce and business management. This prestigious and diversified program provides a creative and challenging curriculum designed to enhance the student's problem-solving abilities and fosters an appreciation of comparative financial systems on both the macro and micro-scale. Through participation in rigorous mathematics and finance courses, our students have tackled challenges that include working together in small groups, participating in finance competitions, participating in internships, analyzing statistics and competing in state and national-level finance competitions.
The International House (for students of limited English proficiency): The International House for English Language Learners is a program at James Madison High School for students whose primary language is not English. The purpose of this program is to immerse students in the language and culture of the United States of America while also fostering a deep appreciation for the diverse cultures of the world. Students will benefit from the support of an instructional program focused on developing literacy and language skills. Through participation in ESL classes and by participating in language workshops and tutoring, students gain the confidence to communicate and read effectively in English.
Instructional Support Services (ISS) House: The Madison Academy of Citizenship and Community Service (MACCS House) is a program at James Madison High School for students who will benefit from the support of an instructional program focused on developing literacy skills. Students in this house enjoy access to a literacy curriculum that will help them increase their reading levels so that they can be successful in all their academic endeavors. They participate in community service projects such as "Cross-Age Tutoring" which matches them up with elementary school students who need help learning how to read. It is our belief that by taking an active role in our school community and the community at large, the students will learn the importance of helping others and thus promote a sense of belonging within them.
Madison Academy of Community and Civil Service: The Madison Academy of Citizenship and Community Service (MACCS House) is a program at James Madison High School for students who will benefit from the support of an instructional program focused on developing literacy skills. Students in this house enjoy access to a literacy curriculum that will help them increase their reading levels so that they can be successful in all their academic endeavors. They participate in community service projects such as "Cross-Age Tutoring" which matches them up with elementary school students who need help learning how to read. It is our belief that by taking an active role in our school community and the community at large, the students will learn the importance of helping others and thus promote a sense of belonging within them.
There are many Advanced Placement classes offered at James Madison High School. These include:
Along with the AP classes, Madison offers a wide number of honor/elective classes. Some of these include:
Madison also offers a wide number of music/art electives, which students are allowed and encouraged to take.
Main campus
James Madison High School is a six-floor red brick building with many rooms.
Subbasement: Boiler Room and storage areas.
Basement: The cafeteria is located in the building's basement.
1st Floor: On the first-floor main offices such as guidance and programming are located. As is the main entrance to the theater. The Music Department is in the back on the 1st floor. The library and swimming pool are also located on this floor.
2nd Floor: English Department, Access to Gym 1. Back of Gym 1 is the Athletic Wing staircase leading upstairs to gym 2/3 or down to the Pool
3rd Floor: Science Department, IT House, Language Department, Teachers Cafeteria access to Gym 2. Gym 2 shares a room with Gym 3 and has a staircase in the back leading up to Gym 4 or down to Gym 1
4th Floor: Science Department, Math Department, Social Studies Department, Law Department. Houses Gym4 or otherwise known as the Health room which can only be accessed by either of the 3 gyms
5th Floor: Science Department, Computer Repair Room, Art classes, Social Studies Department.
6th Floor: Offices and Photography.
Athletic fields: Football Field, Soccer Field, Baseball Field, Tennis Courts, Track, Lacrosse Field, Roller Blading, and several more athletic facilities.
James Madison High School has a number of clubs which are listed here in alphabetical order:
In May 2010, the James Madison High School Mock Trial team became the New York State Champions, while representing their region of New York City in Albany. The team competed against about 600 schools for first place. It was Madison's second time appearing in Albany after 5 years, and their first time winning. It was also the first time any New York City school had ever won for the State. The team accomplished their victory with the help of attorneys from Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, who always had a long-standing solid relationship with James Madison High School.
Madison also offers a wide range of Boys And Girls PSAL Varsity and Junior Varsity Sports: Football, Soccer, Basketball, Track and field, Wrestling, Baseball, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball, Swimming, Cross Country, Handball, and Lacrosse.
The James Madison Baseball Team is among the most successful in the school ranked fourth in the New York City PSAL and sixth including Catholic High Schools. They have been in the final four three years in a row. In 2008, the team made it to the finals but fell short. The program has put a lot of their players into college baseball and three professional players Frank Torre, Cal Abrams, Harry Eisenstat.Went undefeated in 1954 capturing the PSAL city championship team leaders (Mike Weltman) and Jackie Kahn) who went on to become a highly decorated Homicide Detective with the Miami-Dade PD
Another very successful team is the Madison Wrestling Team. (http://madisongoldenknightswrestling.com/) In addition to having many NYC Mayors Cup and City Champions, the team has posted a winning record and made the playoffs 10 out of the last 12 seasons, with an eight-year streak of making it past the first round of the PSAL Team Championships. The team was ranked #8 overall (public, Catholic and private schools combined) by MSG Varsity this past season.
James Madison High School is home to a very successful Swim Team. It has won countless competitions. It is currently coached by Mr.Davis who is retired but continues to train the swim team for each winter swimming season. He was retired in 2009. Mr.Tigre is the current swimming teacher at James Madison High School and has been for 2 years now. This is one of Madison's most prosperous teams.
Badminton Boys Varsity
Badminton Girls Varsity
Baseball Boys Jr. Varsity
Baseball Boys Varsity
Basketball Boys Jr. Varsity
Basketball Boys Varsity
Basketball Girls Jr. Varsity
Basketball Girls Varsity
Bowling Boys Varsity
Cross Country Boys
Cross Country Girls
Flag Football Girls Varsity
Football Boys Jr. Varsity
Football Boys Varsity
Girls Varsity Bowling
Golf Co-Ed Varsity
Golf Girls Varsity
Handball Boys Varsity
Handball Girls Varsity
Indoor Track Boys
Indoor Track Girls
Lacrosse Boys Varsity
Lacrosse Girls Varsity
Outdoor Track Boys
Outdoor Track Girls
Rugby Boys Varsity
Soccer Boys Varsity
Soccer Girls Varsity
Softball Girls Jr. Varsity
Softball Girls Varsity
Stunt Co-Ed Varsity
Swimming Boys Varsity
Swimming Girls Varsity
Table Tennis Boys Varsity
Table Tennis Girls Varsity
Tennis Boys Varsity
Tennis Girls Varsity
Volleyball Boys Varsity
Volleyball Girls Jr. Varsity
Volleyball Girls Varsity
Wrestling Boys Varsity
Wrestling Girls Varsity
SING!, a musical competition between the grades, has been a Madison tradition for over 50 years. On November 15, 2008, the Senior/Sophomore team lost to the Junior/Freshman team for the first time in 6 years, on the 60th anniversary of SING!. The SING! theme that year was "It's Never Too Late to Change." It is one of Madison's Most popular clubs. There is a new tradition called Brooklyn SINGS, also known as "InterSING", started in 2014. InterSING is a competition between Madison, Midwood, & Murrow High Schools to see who has the best SING performance. The winning team at Madison, Midwood, & Murrow will advance on to InterSING. In 2014-2015, InterSING took place in the Joseph Anzalone Theater in Edward R. Murrow High School in Midwood, Brooklyn. InterSING is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.
Distinguished alumni of James Madison High School include:
Cal Abrams (1924-1997, class of 1942), Major-league baseball player.
Maury Allen (1932-2010, class of 1949), sportswriter.
Gary Becker (1930-2014, class of 1948), Nobel Prize winner, economics.
Mimi Benzell (1918-1970), opera singer.
Harry Boatswain (born 1969, class of 1987), former professional football player.
Walter Block (born 1941, class of 1959), Austrian School economist, anarcho-capitalist theoretician, professor of economics
Andrew Dice Clay (born 1957 as Andrew Clay Silverstein), comedian.
Stanley Cohen (born 1922, class of 1939), Nobel Prize winner, medicine.
Norm Coleman (born 1949, class of 1966), former U.S. Senator (Republican of Minnesota).
Robert Dallek (born 1934, class of 1952), historian.
Roy DeMeo (1942-1983, class of 1959), mobster.
Harry Eisenstat (1915-2003, class of 1935), Major League Baseball player
Devale Ellis (born 1984), professional football player.
Sandra Feldman (1939-2005, class of 1956), president of the American Federation of Teachers.
Norman Finkelstein (born 1953) political scientist, activist, professor, author.
Sonny Fox (born 1925), TV personality.
Leonard Frey (1938-1988, class of 1956), actor.
David Frye (1933-2011; born David Shapiro), comedian.
Sid Ganis (born 1940, class of 1957), motion picture executive.
William Gaines (1922-1992, class of 1939), founding publisher of Mad magazine.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg (born 1933, class of 1950), Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court.
Marty Glickman (1917-2001, class of 1935), Olympian and broadcaster.
Ron Haigler (born 1953, class of 1971), basketball player.
Stanley Myron Handleman (1929-2007, class of 1947), comedian.
Ellis Horowitz (born 1944, class of 1960), computer scientist, professor
Garson Kanin (1912-1999, class of 1927), writer and director of plays and films.
Stanley Kaplan (1919-2009, class of 1935), test preparation entrepreneur.
Buddy Kaye (1918-2002), songwriter, musician, producer, author and publisher.
Carole King (born 1942 as Carole Klein, class of 1958), singer and songwriter.
Paul L. Krinsky (born 1928, class of 1946), U.S. Navy rear admiral.
Martin Landau (born 1928), Academy Award-winning actor.
Rudy LaRusso, five-time All-Star NBA basketball player.
Mell Lazarus (born 1927, died 2016.
), cartoonist.
Andrew Levane (1920-2012, class of 1940), professional basketball player.
Richard Madzel (1938, class of 1955) Author, playwright, producer. [33]
Elaine Malbin (born 1932, class of 1948), opera singer.
Barry B. Mittag Mathematician
Bruce Morrow (born 1935, class of 1953), radio personality.
Herbert S. Okun (1930-2011, class of 1947), diplomat.
Martin Lewis Perl (born 1927, class of 1942), Nobel Prize winner, physics.
Sylvia Porter (1913-1991, class of 1930), economist and journalist.
Deborah Poritz (born 1936, class of 1954), N.J. Attorney General then Chief Justice, N.J. Supreme Court.
Chris Rock (born 1965), comedian and actor who withdrew before graduation.
Norman Rosten (1913-1995), poet, playwright and novelist.
Abdel Russell (born 1977, class of 1995), Author, Record Label Executive, Philanthropist, Entrepreneur.
Dmitry Salita, professional boxer.
Murray Saltzman (1929–2010, class of 1947), Reform Jewish Rabbi.
Bernie Sanders (born 1941, class of 1959), U.S. Senator, (Independent of Vermont) and 2016 U.S. Presidential candidate.
Larry Sanders, British politician and brother of Bernie Sanders.
Babe Scheuer (1913–1997), American football player
Harvey Schlesinger (born 1940, class of 1958), United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida
Ted Schreiber (born 1938), Major League Baseball player.
Chuck Schumer (born 1950, class of 1967), U.S. Senator (New York)
Irwin Shaw (1913-1984, class of 1929), playwright, screenwriter and novelist.
Judith Sheindlin (born 1942, class of 1961), television personality (Judge Judy).
Barry Simon (born 1946, class of 1962), IBM Professor of Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at Caltech.
Neal Singer (born 1941, class of 1958), Science writer, Sandia National Laboratories; author.
Robert Solow (born 1922, class of 1940), Nobel Prize winner, economics.
Daniel Suhr {1964-2001, class of 1982 and football captain}, Semi-pro football player and first of 343 NYC firefighters to perish on 9-11-2001
Irving Terjesen (1915–1990, class of 1934), All-American college basketball player for NYU and early professional.
Frank Torre (1931-2014, class of 1950), professional baseball player.
Sidney Verba (born 1932), political scientist.
David Wohl (born 1954, class of 1971) Television and film character actor.
Joel Zwick (born 1942, class of 1958), film, television and theater director.
