When I first came to Renaissance, I was a bit confused and extremely thrown off. Why do students call the staff members by their first names? Why is it so small? How come we can go out for lunch?
But as I grew in this school, I realized that it isn’t just a school. It’s a community, and in some ways, a family. Whether you’re a student, a parent, an alumni, or a staff member, you’re always welcome. You always have a place here at this school, in this building.
Whenever I go to school now, I’m not confused or thrown off. I’m happy. I feel like I belong. Here I can talk to my teachers about henna and hear them tell me stories of their own life that teach more than textbooks ever do, and hang out with my best friends, a relationship that isn’t just friendship. I have friends from Venezuela, Ireland, and Tibet. I know these friendships will extend far beyond high school, and am grateful that they started in the halls and rooms of Renaissance, because I was able to nurture and create a stronger bond with them. Having a small school comes to a great advantage. You know everyone and everyone knows you. Sure, gossip spreads fast, but there’s always someone ready to defend another person. We all may not like each other, but we’re willing to stand up for each other.
We have a lot of activities, like the annual Rensizzle, Festival of Lights, and Thanksgiving Festival. During the school year, we have many performances from our arts department, and a Career Day, where we meet people of different careers and learn more about our opportunities of work after we graduate. There have been multiple occasions when I had to write a story or perform a skit for class work or a project. Even while we’re having fun and using our imagination, we’re learning and growing.
In the high school, we have many Leadership opportunities as well. We have a Model UN program where you learn about international relations and meet people from all around the world, Elite Web Design where you learn how to code and make games, and even an arts program, where you meet photographers, fashion designers and filmmakers. There’s something for everyone.
– Afra masud, 12th grade
One of my favorite things about this school is that our teachers are always willing to listen to you. They may not agree with everything you say, but you know that they’re not against you or want bad for you. They’re always willing to help, to cheer you on while you chase your dreams and pick you up when you fall. The staff of this building are compassionate individuals who are willing to go the extra mile for their students. We may not always show it, but we appreciate that. The things they’ve taught us will stay with us for life, even if we may not always know it.
This school is where everyone finds themselves and gets an idea of who they want to be when they exit these walls. Renaissance is where future leaders are formed, where you can be yourself while learning about the world, and know that you’ll be respected and loved. Once you’re in this place, you don’t ever leave. I’m about to graduate, but I know that even when I go, I’ll be remembered. If I go back, there will always be open arms ready to embrace me. If you want an education that isn’t just about numbers and GPAs, you should come here. You’ll learn about life alongside with knowledge of the world. If you ask me, that’s an education that will truly impact the world.
Afra Masud is a senior at The Renaissance Charter School in Jackson Heights, Queens. She is a practicing Muslim, a developing henna artist, and a good friend. When she isn’t writing about things she loves, she’s hanging out with her family, watching documentaries about nature, culture, history, and people, going through YouTube, finding new henna designs she wants to try, and daydreaming about the future.