Considering QHSS is a specialized high school in New York City, it is the dream of many students to attend. The reality is that the administration is causing it to be a nightmare.

The administration of the Queens High School for the Sciences has been dysfunctional, and our school's mission of providing an environment meant to build student aspirations has been opaque due to the authority of Principal Ana de Jesus and Assistant Principal Greg Reo. The problem primarily stems from the discordance between the administration and students. Since the appointment of Ana de Jesus as principal, Queens High School for the Sciences has continuously faced changes for the worse, and Assistant Principal Greg Reo has constantly degraded students, creating a hostile environment in the school. Regardless of students' complaints for years about the administration, there has never been any action taken to end the many shortcomings of our school. 

In 2020, there was a petition (Petition · END ADMINISTRATION ENABLING OF ABUSERS AT QUEENS HS FOR THE SCIENCES AT YORK COLLEGE · Change.org) that described the administration's enabling of abusers at this school. Although this petition accumulated more than six thousand signatures, nothing had changed, only further displaying the continued ignorance of the administration. Following this petition, the laboriously fought adjustments had not been fulfilled, and the school remained unsafe. What brought more frustration was that the neglect faced by students was never even acknowledged. Ana de Jesus values the school's reputation over the safety and contentment of students.

Teachers and administration are supposed to have a mutually trusting relationship, but instead, teachers are in fear of the administration. The administration forces teachers to teach classes they lack knowledge in, and they have little say in the classes and subjects they teach. Many teachers have been resigning from this school each year, and this is no coincidence. The administration is indifferent to both the student's and educators' needs, creating a hostile environment.

Students constantly bring up concerns but are never met with real solutions. Principal Ana de Jesus never takes accountability and always attempts to blame others for the problems that she creates. QHSS has always had shorter school days on Fridays that accommodated in-school club time. However, this highly valued aspect of our school was stripped away from us. Fridays were known as "club day" and were an integral part of students' high school experience giving students something to look forward to in the week. Students have repeatedly requested to have this back, yet Principal Ana de Jesus did what she was best at. NOTHING. While students asked for the previous shorter Fridays, Principal Ana De Jesus granted them longer school days. With her in charge, student needs are ignored, disregarded, and are always met with the opposite. 

Assistant Principal Greg Reo is a menace to this school community. He has been part of this school's administration for many years, and every single year, students complain regarding his hostile behavior. Many students describe him as a "bully.” Considering it is a school, students should never be bullied, let alone by an assistant principal. A former teacher of QHSS has publicly commented regarding Assistant Principal Greg Reo and has stated the following, 

"As a current teacher in the NYCDOE, I am deeply disappointed by the silence of this administration.

I was quiet as an adolescent because I didn't understand the gross power dynamics back then, but Assistant Principal GREG REO - you are an abusive individual who deserves to be called out. You terrorized developing youth, abused your authorial power, and directly caused many innocent students to suffer. You are one of the reasons why I even became a teacher in the first place.

Please also never tell a suicidal kid that he 'deserves what's coming to him because you have nothing better to say."

Students, teachers, and alumni of Queens High School for the Sciences have complained about Assistant Principal Greg Reo for many consecutive years. He has never been held accountable for his actions, and it is finally time for him to face the consequences for his terrible behavior to his students and employees.

Students of QHSS, including former teachers and students, are again demanding that this school's administration be held accountable for their lack of support, communication, understanding, safety, and trust. Keeping these administration members in authority for this school will only cause further issues. It is time for the NYC Department of Education to hear the cries for help from hundreds of students.