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Principal's Message

One thing I find myself saying over and over again is how fortunate I am to be the principal of SDC. I spent the first 11 years of my career teaching and leading at City Polytechnic High School of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology. I began as an English teacher, became a Master teacher, and then served as an assistant principal for 5 years before closing out the 2022-2023 school year as interim acting principal. I believe in staying in a place for a while in order to have an impact. It wasn’t easy to leave. I had developed relationships with staff and students and invested an incredible amount of time and energy into building the school into what it was when I left. But change is a part of life, and I was eager to begin the next chapter of my career as the principal of SDC. 


In August of 2023, when I assumed the principal role, I met with as many staff members as I could and I asked them all the same question: what keeps you coming back to SDC? Every one of them said a variation of the same thing: the people. They come back for their students and their coworkers.


It’s one thing to hear people say that about their school community, but it's even more powerful to actually see, hear, and feel that play out day after day. I saw it with my own eyes, heard it with my own ears, and felt in my own heart. This community is special. There is joy in the hallways. There is laughter. There are smiles. This is what school should be. This is what I want for my own children. 


The result of that spirit shines through in the improvements we made last year. Our graduation rate increased to 91% from 75%. Regents scores went up by 11 percentage points across all exams, with some exams improving over 20 percentage points. I could not be prouder of our students and staff for what they accomplished in just one year. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish in the coming years as we continue this work. 


And now, as we enter the 2024-2025 school year, there is even more to look forward to. 

  • We will be applying to have our Architectural Design program as a New York State approved Career and Technical Education pathway. 
  • We will also begin our AP For All program this year. AP For All at SDC means that every SDC student is enrolled in AP English classes in 11th and 12th grade and AP United States History in 11th grade. 
  • We’ve got trips and events planned throughout the school year; things  like college trips, our annual ice skating trip, trips to Broadway shows, our Halloween party, the Valentines Day Dance, the Pathways Symposium, Design Critiques, Carnival, and more. 

So as we begin this journey together this year, I want to remind you that we are not just a school, we are a community. We are committed to excellence, to growth, and to one another. This year we will continue to build an environment where every student can thrive and every staff member feels valued and inspired. Let’s make this year unforgettable-filled with achievements, memories, and the love and joy that defines SDC. 


Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year. We’re lucky to have you. 


Sincerely, 


Mr. Genna

Principal