One of the great things about our school is the opportunities our students have to work with professionals who provide them with a look into the future. Because of years of cultivating relationships with industry partners, WHSAD students gain crucial professional experiences that not only give them a leg up when they leave high school but also provide them with a skill set and pedigree that elevate their college applications and resumes. In the following reflections, some of those students share their accomplishments from their internships from this summer. They speak to what they learned, how they were challenged, and what they hope for in the future. Thank you to all of those firms and companies that hosted our students and provided … [Read more...]

Each fall, WHSAD's ninth graders meet a New York City institution and one of the school's longest standing partners, Park Avenue Armory. During this excursion, students tour the space, admiring the intricate details of the Armory's myriad rooms and learning more about its programming. Additionally, students hear about future opportunities in which they could get involved, from the Armory's residency programs at WHSAD to its Youth Corps internship program. In the following reflections, students offer their first impressions of the space and how it might relate to their future studies. Thank you to everyone at Park Avenue Armory for always welcoming the WHSAD community and for continuously inspiring our students. Yana Matsko When I … [Read more...]

Thank you to the RAMSA architects who supported our students this summer and in summers past. Thank you to student reporter, Sara Diaz, for working with Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Koestner to ensure this story came to be. WHSAD’s RAMSA Design Foundation program connects students with architects from Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA) for a six-week summer experience through the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). Working with professional mentors and WHSAD educators, students explore how art and observation can inspire architectural design, transforming initial ideas into sketches, collages, physical models, and digital spaces. Throughout the program, students develop skills in Rhino and Adobe Photoshop while learning to think … [Read more...]

Freshman school reporter, Sara Diaz, interviewed Ryan and wrote this story. When was the last time you visited our school? I was just here last semester, so in the fall I was working on converting a commercial building into a residential building, and we had to build a physical model of our design. So, I came here to laser cut acrylic and chip wood to build a model. What was one of your favorite things that WHSAD had to offer throughout your four years of education? WHSAD actually offered me a lot of stuff. I would say architecture grill. It was a program where we partnered with an architecture grill company by Gowanus in Brooklyn. We would go there every Tuesday after school and we got to work with them, create our … [Read more...]

Student reporter, Miguel Hernandez, wrote this story. On February 13th Mr Codio and Ms. Cumberbatch received CTE awards. CTE stands for Career and Technical Education. These are electives that teach students about a certain career, Architecture being one of those careers. The award received recognizes the hard work and dedication teachers have put into educating students about their fields with a high standard in their classrooms. A CTE award is an amazing award to have received. How Did They Get There? When Mr. Cornell arrived at WHSAD as principal, the architecture program was struggling and nowhere near how it should have been. Mr. Codio was one of the first people hired by Mr. Cornell, in an attempt to fix the program. Mr. … [Read more...]

Each year, WHSAD’s Sophomores engage in an eight session residency with teaching artists from Park Avenue Armory. In the past, students have constructed collages using various media, crafted backdrops for scenes they scripted, and built subway cars out of plastic pipes to convey what NYC commuter life could be like. Each of these projects has some connection to a work the students viewed at the Armory, allowing them to investigate an artistic production in a deeper and more personal way. These sessions allow students to engage with one another in ways different from what takes place in a typical English classroom, from striking a pose in a tableaux to using iPads to record mini-films and voice overs. Every year, students have a great deal … [Read more...]

Saidjohn with Laela Sluchevsky, Assistant MEP Estimator, Turner Construction Company, and Co-Managing Director of our Gensler New York office, on being named Chairman of the Board of ACE Mentor Program of America. By Saidjohn Saidganiev, 2026 WHSAD Graduate, ACE Mentor Program of Greater New York Scholarship Recipient, and incoming student at Syracuse University Sophomore year, I made a deal with myself. If I wanted a shot at a good college, I needed to build something—an extracurricular base, a resume, a reason for someone to take a chance on me. The first thing that came to mind was a program I had heard about freshman year and completely ignored: ACE. I go to Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design. Freshman year, … [Read more...]

The New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) is a formal recognition awarded to graduating seniors who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in English and one or more world languages. To earn the Seal, students must meet rigorous criteria, including earning a specific number of points through high school coursework, state exams, and a Culminating Project presented to a panel of experts. For New York students, pursuing the Seal is a powerful way to validate their linguistic and cultural identity while gaining a competitive edge. It not only distinguishes college applications and resumes but can also lead to advanced course placement or university credit, all while celebrating the 21st-century skills necessary for success in our … [Read more...]