Save Columbia Secondary School: We Need New Leadership Now

Full Article: https://nycschoolsecrets.com/columbia-secondary-school-seniors-battle-to-save-beloved-harlem-school/

We are students, parents, and teachers at Columbia Secondary School (CSS), and we’re speaking out because our school is no longer a safe, fair, or respectful place under the leadership of Assistant Principal Dr. Zachary Lynn and Principal Vikram Arora.

Despite repeated concerns raised by our community, little has changed. We are now calling on the NYC Department of Education and city leaders to intervene immediately.

Why We're Demanding Change:

🔴 Special Education Students Are Being Left Behind
 Students with IEPs are being pressured to give up their learning support in order to access advanced classes. This is unacceptable. The school’s focus on high-achieving tracks has resulted in larger, less-supported classes for students with learning needs, and far less individualized attention.

🔴 Our School No Longer Feels Safe
 On a recent field trip, students were left unsupervised in the middle of New York City. At school, classrooms are sometimes left unattended. Dr. Lynn remains inaccessible—locking his office door and refusing to engage with students or staff.

🔴 Families Are Being Misled
 Parents were not told that students would not receive high school credit for Algebra. Communication from the administration is inconsistent, unclear, and at times, deceptive.

🔴 Disrespect and Retaliation Are Rampant
 Teachers are exhausted and leaving the school. Students who raise concerns are punished. In one case, a student received a failing grade without justification—corrected only after district intervention.

 

What We’re Asking For:

• The immediate removal of Dr. Lynn and Principal Arora
• An independent investigation into safety and hostile workplace concerns, and special education and NYCPS academic policy violations.
• A transparent, inclusive hiring process for new leadership—leaders who respect, listen, and restore trust in our school community.

 

Please sign and share this petition. Help us protect the students, families, and teachers of Columbia Secondary School. We deserve a safe, supportive, and respectful environment where every student can thrive.