John Dewey High School

2475 Stillwell Avenue | also 50 Avenue X | Gravesend | built 1931

Open on the map6 entries

The lot about 1940
About 1940. Via 1940s.nyc
The lot about 1985
About 1985. Via 80s.nyc

The city photographed every building for its tax records around 1940 and again in the 1980s. NYC Municipal Archives.

Written with AI from the source each entry cites, then fact-checked.

  1. 1969

    September 8

    John Dewey High School opens as New York City's first educational-option school

    Classes at John Dewey High School started on September 8, 1969, for 1,130 students, all freshmen and sophomores, and juniors and seniors were added over the next two years. It was the city's first educational-option school, admitting applicants from three groups based on citywide test scores: high, middle and low-achieving. Edward R. Murrow, Murry Bergtraum and Norman Thomas high schools later followed its admissions model.

    Source: Wikipedia

  2. 1975

    Teacher Robert DeSena founds the first Council For Unity at Dewey

    Robert DeSena, then a Dewey teacher, founded the Council For Unity in 1975, with the school as home to its first chapter. The national nonprofit aims to build racial harmony, respect and peace and to end violence in schools and the surrounding community. Its network now includes over sixty schools and community centers across New York City, Long Island, Texas and California.

    “…home to the first Council For Unity, a national non-profit organization founded in 1975 Robert DeSena, who was a Dewey teacher…”

    Source: Wikipedia

  3. 1982

    Sandy Weill starts the first Academy of Finance at Dewey

    Dewey housed the first Academy of Finance, begun by Sandy Weill in 1982. The program introduced high school students to careers in financial services. It was one of the National Academy Foundation's three member programs and is now in more than 275 high schools. Juniors and seniors applied during sophomore year and were interviewed by the coordinator; the program is no longer offered.

    Source: Wikipedia

  4. 1984

    Actor Michael J. Fox speaks at Dewey's 1984 graduation and gets an honorary diploma

    Michael J. Fox gave the main address at the Class of 1984 graduation, and the school also gave him an honorary high school diploma. A year later, sex therapist and talk show host Dr. Ruth Westheimer spoke at the Class of 1985 graduation.

    “Actor Michael J. Fox was the guest speaker for the Class of 1984, he was also given an honorary high school diploma.”

    Source: Wikipedia

  5. 2011

    Dewey starts varsity teams after more than thirty years without them

    For over thirty years the school had no varsity sports, because its design meant to downplay competition and winning. After a majority vote, competition against other public high schools began with the 2011-2012 school year, starting with boys' and girls' soccer and girls' basketball, cross country and cheerleading. All teams are called the Dewey Dragons.

    “…starting in the 2011-2012 school year, the school changed its stance on competition and competitive sports with other public high schools began…”

    Source: Wikipedia

  6. 2024

    May 30

    Construction begins on a middle school annex behind Dewey

    On May 30, 2024, work began on an annex behind the main building for 553 middle school students, meant to open for the 2026-2027 school year. The three-floor building holds 20 classrooms, rooms for art and music, two science labs, a gym with an exercise room, and a library. Wikipedia's article on the school gives its official opening as September 8, 2026.

    “On May 30, 2024, the school started construction of an annex that will host 553 middle school students for the 2026-2027 school year.”

    Source: Wikipedia

Further reading

Nearby

All 7 buildings with stories in Gravesend