Our vision came from the idea that New York City’s youth deserved two things that many were denied: a quality education; and access to the water surrounding their home. And they deserved that both of these places be fun, safe and educational.

Murray Fisher, who was working at Waterkeeper Alliance, posed the question to Richard Kahan, who had started two innovative public high schools in the Bronx: What about a maritime high school?

Murray and Richard decided to respond to New Visions for Public School's Request for Proposals for new schools with NYHS.

Immediately, Waterkeeper Alliance and South Street Seaport Museum came on board as Founding Partners. A team of high school students, parents, teachers, partners, and Nate Dudley, the eventual principal of NYHS, worked together to craft a proposal.

The proposal is completed and the school plan developed for two presentations to New Visions for Public School, the Department of Education, and several large funders, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

NYHS was approved with several months to create a plan and curriculum, and find staff, students and a facility in time to open in September 2003.

NYHS opened. Eight highly qualified and dedicated teachers were hired for the first year. 125 students -- 90% of whom were below or far below grade level in math and reading -- were admitted.

NYHS joined the Urban Assembly network of 17 schools in the newly formed Department of Education Empowerment Zone.

Following a highly compeitive process, NYHS was selected to be the first tenant of Governor’s Island. The heart of New York’s harbor, Governors Island will proivde students with an unparalleled and unprecedented high school experience.

80% of NYHS’ seniors graduated on time. 95% of them were admitted in to college, including Cornell, Skidmore, SUNY Maritime and SUNY Stonybrook.

Each year, the school has continued to grow, continued to show successful gains in student achievement, and continued to make New York Harbor's ecological and cultural resources its focus. Individuals at all levels of the organization of this team have collaborated to create a strong, thriving school.