William Howard Taft High School (New York City)
William Howard Taft High School is a high school in the impoverished, crime and drug-infested slum area of South Bronx, New York City. It has earned a notorious reputation as one the most crime, violence, and gang-ridden schools in the city, if not the entire country.
Metal detectors were installed in this school to stop people from bringing weapons in the school, although the students that attend this school often find ways to circumvent the system, for example by sneaking weapons through windows or passing them through back doors.
Of the 629 students that attend this school, virtually all are Hispanic or African American. On any given day, attendance hovers around 55%, despite having 10 truancy officers assigned to the school.
After becoming a symbol of New York City public school failure, the school is being gradually phased out and replaced with smaller schools and is no longer accepting new students.
The school should not be confused with other William Howard Taft High Schools located in Chicago or in San Antonio, Texas.
Quotes
- "Taft is what is left after almost everyone else has made their choice" - Michael Winerip, New York Times
- "Although we may have a bad reputation we are striving for success." - Student
- "Guidance counselors at other schools say, 'If you misbehave, we're sending you to Taft,'" - Maggie Bec, Taft teacher