Queens, New York - A new high school is set to open in Woodside, Queens, with a strong focus on preparing New York City students for careers in the health care industry. The announcement was made by Schools Chancellor David Banks, alongside a generous multi-million dollar donation from Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The Northwell School of Health Sciences, a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, aims to provide up to 900 students with comprehensive education and training in the medical profession.

The Northwell School of Health Sciences, currently under construction on Northern Boulevard, will concentrate on four key areas of health care: diagnostic medicine, physical therapy, mental health, and nursing. The school's vision extends beyond a single institution – it aims to improve public health, promote health equity, and create a better future for thousands of students, with a lasting impact on the health care sector.

Michael Dowling, President and CEO of Northwell, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with Bloomberg and the New York City Department of Education in the construction of this visionary school. As the largest health care provider and private employer in New York, Northwell is committed to attracting and preparing students for careers in health care, addressing both present and future needs.

The primary goal of the school is to equip students for successful entry into the workforce or provide them with a minimum of seven college credits before graduation. This initiative aligns with Chancellor David Banks' focus on increasing career education to ensure students are well-prepared for the professional sector. He highlighted that it is not enough for students to simply attend school; they must obtain practical skills and knowledge that can lead to well-paying jobs in health care specialties such as behavioral health, physical therapy, nursing, and diagnostic medicine.

Former Mayor Bloomberg, through his Bloomberg Philanthropies, will generously contribute $24.9 million over the course of five years to support the Northwell School. The former mayor had previously prioritized vocational and technical education during his administration. His aim is to address the abundance of well-paid jobs in health care that do not require a traditional four-year college degree. Howard Wolfson, from Bloomberg Philanthropies Education, emphasized that the health care industry is currently experiencing two million job openings and is expected to have an additional two million openings within the next eight years.

The Northwell School of Health Sciences is scheduled to open for the 2025-2026 school year and will be part of a larger education campus. The campus, which will include a total of five new high schools, aims to provide over 3,000 much-needed high school seats in Queens, helping to alleviate overcrowding issues. While the other four schools have not yet been announced, they are expected to share a similar focus on Career and Technical Education.

The Northwell School of Health Sciences represents an important step towards meeting the growing demand for health care professionals in New York City. By combining rigorous academics with practical training, this innovative educational model has the potential to shape the future of health care and create exciting opportunities for students pursuing careers in the medical field.