This article was written by Ryan Xiao
With about 450 to 500 students, Baruch College Campus High School is among the smaller and poorer high schools in New York City. The school’s underfunding is a major discussion point among students and staff, and an issue that is constantly brought up.
Many students wanted more programs the school couldn’t provide, and many staff wanted more opportunities for students the school couldn’t afford.
“There should be an inclusion of musical arts as well as arts itself,” said Lana Denis, a junior at Baruch College Campus High School. “We as a student body create a lot of clubs to be inclusive and have our [extracurriculars] in school, but our school should strive for more inclusivity. … I wish it had a music program and an engineering program for Hispanics and people of color.”
According to the 2019-20 School Year Financial Transparency Report from the NYC Chancellor’s Office, the per pupil expenditure for Baruch College Campus High School was around $19,269.02 compared to the district’s school average of $26,234.77 and the state’s school average of $22,834.84.
The staff says the underfunding is apparent through missing opportunities–such as programs–and wants more ways to support students.
“More snacks would be nice,” Lily Kepstra, the school’s social worker, said. “I think it is true: kids can concentrate better with more snacks.”
The staff members also say they feel limited in their options because of financial issues.
“I would like to plan more trips, but I don’t like trips with money because it’s not as equitable,” Kepstra said. “I don’t want to ask kids to pay for trips.”
Kepstra said that she fears some students might miss out on trips because of the price, and the underfunding contributes to this. Because of that, she says, she has chosen not to plan as many trips.
Many students were bothered by the lack of funding and felt the school could do more.
Chloe Castera said that the bathrooms are often unsanitary and stink, and that the school could do a better job at maintenance. Many other students agreed with her, claiming that the school seemed old–dusty stars, tiles falling out, a ceiling collapse, etc.
“It’s very dirty and I don’t want to be in this environment,” Castera said.
Other students were less bothered by the lack of funding, but they still recognized the effects. Sarah Seleza says that she went to a poorer middle school, and so Baruch is an improvement. But she still recognizes that change is rare in the school because of lack of funding.
Some students said they didn’t care, even though the underfunding is apparent.
“We don’t get the full experience we deserve. If we’re gonna be here for so long–for four years–this school needs to be better,” Katherin Malik said. “[But] it does not really affect me, I don’t really think about it.”
Despite the great ratings–Baruch College Campus High School scores an A in the “College Prep” and “Teachers” sections, and an A- in the “Academics” section according to Niche.com–many students speak negatively because of the financial hurdles the school faces.
“They could do better,” Kyle Zárate–another student–said.
(All names in the story were changed and are not the actual names of any students or staff.)
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