Innovative Curriculum
At The High School for Climate Justice we offer a unique and curriculum focused on climate science and environmental issues, designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address these critical challenges.
Our Resilient Schools Consortium (RiSC) electives offer a transformative educational experience that goes beyond traditional classroom learning. Through the RiSC program, students engage directly with critical climate justice issues, developing hands-on skills and deep understanding of environmental challenges.
Learning Today, Changing Tomorrow
What Makes RiSC Electives Unique
The RiSC curriculum provides students with extraordinary opportunities to:
- Explore climate science through practical, real-world experiences
- Understand local environmental vulnerabilities
- Participate in community-based resilience projects
- Investigate issues of environmental equity and social justice
This approach ensures that students not only understand climate issues but also appreciate their interconnectedness with different aspects of their education and daily lives. At its core, the program aims to increase climate science and resilience knowledge while enhancing critical thinking skills among students.
We’re empowering young learners to build resilience in their communities, adapting to changing conditions in ways that improve both community well-being and environmental health. By weaving climate justice themes throughout every academic discipline. This approach ensures that students don’t just learn about climate change—they understand its complex social, scientific, and economic dimensions.
Climate Justice Seminar
AP Environmental Science
Interdisciplinary Lessons
All 9th graders begin their journey with the Climate Justice Seminar, an introductory course that explores key concepts and issues in climate justice. This course provides foundational knowledge about climate change, emphasizing how it disproportionately impacts marginalized communities and introducing students to climate activism and potential solutions.
In 11th grade, students are required to take AP Environmental Science, a college-level course that delves deeply into environmental topics. This class covers scientific principles and methodologies, examines Earth’s systems and resources, and analyzes human impacts on the environment. Students also prepare for the AP Environmental Science exam, gaining valuable insights that will benefit them in higher education.
Additionally, we employ an interdisciplinary approach to learning, integrating climate themes across various subjects. In math classes, students analyze climate data and trends; in English, they engage with climate-related literature and write about pressing environmental issues; in social studies, they explore the social and political dimensions of climate change; and in science, they study the scientific basis of climate phenomena.
The Importance of Climate and Environmental Education
Climate and environmental science education is crucial for empowering future leaders. By providing students with a deep understanding of our world’s ecosystems and climate challenges, we equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to address pressing global issues. This education goes beyond mere facts; it cultivates informed citizens and future decision-makers capable of implementing sustainable solutions. Students who understand these issues are more likely to become leaders who can make informed, sustainable decisions that benefit both their communities and the planet.
One of the standout features of our program is the Hydroponics Lab, where students have the opportunity to grow herbs and lettuce without soil. This innovative lab allows students to gain firsthand experience with sustainable agriculture techniques, learning about the science behind hydroponics and its benefits for urban farming. By cultivating plants in a controlled environment, students not only develop agricultural skills but also understand the importance of sustainability in food production, especially in urban settings where traditional farming may be challenging.
Engagement in environmental education has been shown to have a positive impact on academic performance across various subjects. Studies have demonstrated that students involved in climate and environmental studies often perform better in science, math, and reading. This improvement is likely due to the hands-on, interdisciplinary nature of environmental education, which enhances students’ ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts. By integrating environmental topics into their curriculum, students gain a more holistic understanding of the world, which in turn enhances their overall academic achievement and prepares them for success in a wide range of fields.
Hands-On Learning Experiences
At the High School for Climate Justice, we believe that understanding environmental challenges requires more than traditional learning. Our approach emphasizes practical activities that connect classroom learning to real-world applications, fostering a sense of responsibility and engagement with the environment.
In addition to the Hydroponics Lab, we organize field studies that take students to significant ecological sites. These trips provide invaluable opportunities for students to observe and study critical environmental issues in their own city. Our curriculum goes beyond traditional environmental education by weaving climate justice themes throughout every academic discipline. This approach ensures that students don’t just learn about climate change—they understand its complex social, scientific, and economic dimensions.
Environmental education is a powerful tool for fostering critical thinking skills. As students delve into complex environmental issues, they learn to analyze problems from multiple perspectives, evaluate evidence rigorously, and devise innovative solutions. This analytical approach encourages students to think critically about the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic factors. By engaging with real-world environmental challenges, students develop the ability to break down complex issues into manageable parts, assess the evidence, and propose effective solutions.
What This Means for Families
By integrating climate justice across our academic program, we:
- Prepare students for future green careers
- Develop critical thinking skills
- Empower students to become environmental leaders
- Connect classroom learning to real-world solutions
A Program Parents Can Believe In
By participating in an Environmental Education, students:
- Develop critical thinking skills
- Gain practical environmental science knowledge
- Build leadership capabilities
- Connect classroom learning to community impact
- Prepare for future green careers and environmental stewardship
By supporting your child’s participation in RiSC electives, you’re not just investing in their academic growth, but also in their future as informed, empowered citizens. We encourage you to engage with your child about their educational experiences. Together, we can nurture a generation of environmental stewards who are ready to tackle the climate challenges of tomorrow.
New York Sun Works
New York Sun Works is a vital partner in our mission to provide innovative, hands-on STEM education to students. This non-profit organization specializes in using hydroponic technology to create engaging learning environments in K-12 schools. Their Hydroponic Classrooms are state-of-the-art facilities that transform existing school spaces into dynamic urban farming laboratories. These classrooms not only serve as educational tools but also produce an impressive yield of fresh vegetables, with the average classroom generating over 500 pounds of produce per school year.
By partnering with New York Sun Works, we’re able to offer our students a unique, immersive experience in sustainability science and climate education, preparing them to become informed, environmentally conscious leaders of tomorrow. provides support, including curriculum development, teacher training, and community engagement initiatives. Their STEM Hydroponic Kits offer a portable solution for hands-on learning, allowing students to explore sustainability concepts even in remote settings.