“CHAH is a place of influence for many students. The school is filled with teachers that are not only devoted to teaching students but inspiring them as well. The individuals that come to this building every day demonstrate to students the importance of being a leader in and out of the classroom. CHAH uplifts every student to a potential that is greater than themselves, to express individual creativity and then gather together as one large family to make a change. CHAH will always be the start of many great stories.”

Omar Ynoa, Class of 2017

SUNY - Buffalo 

BS Mechanical Engineering

“Having the opportunity to complete both middle school and high school at CHAH allowed it to be a home away from home for me. CHAH was more than just a school, it was the place where I met my best friends, built great relationships with the teachers, and found my true passion in life. When reflecting back on my time in CHAH, I appreciate how the teachers did not give up on any student, not even those that were struggling academically, emotionally, or socially. I had teachers give up their personal lunchtime, to have small lunch sessions with other students and me to be given the space to speak and be heard. CHAH showed me it takes a village to do things successfully. With everything that CHAH had when I entered in 2010 to the time that I graduated in 2016, the evolution in the curriculum and the drive to ensure the students felt that they had a village and community presence behind them was noticed and appreciated. If it wasn't for the continuous support I receive from CHAH, Mr.Bowen, and my high school friends, I would not have accomplished everything that I have thus far. I am forever thankful for CHAH. #WeRise”

- Diana Delmonte Bido, Class of 2016

SUNY - Buffalo

Master’s of Social Work

"Looking back at my time in CHAH, I think about home.  It was a place I felt comfortable to be myself and share my future goals with everyone I crossed paths with. In reality, CHAH allowed me to see that college was going to be difficult and that is was up to me to push through in order to truly succeed. People love to blame their high school for doing poorly in college but I would like to thank CHAH for pushing me to do the best I could in order to graduate college this upcoming year. If it weren’t for my guidance counselor Mr. Bowen, I wouldn’t have had the necessary faith to move three hours away from home and grow into the independent lady I am today."

- Chelsea Cabrera, Class of 2012
SUNY - Binghamton University
BA, Sociology

"My time at CHAH meant so much to me. I made my best friends and, as an alumnus of the first graduating class, we have some very special memories. I learned from my teachers and classmates how to become a better student. I learned that no matter how many resources I had, I could strive and do just as well as any other student. I had support from my teachers and other staff at school that students from other schools did not. CHAH was definitely a different school in terms of closeness and support."

- Delaney Arias, Class of 2012
Syracuse University
BA, Journalism

"CHAH means origin to me. Origin in the sense that I found myself in this school.  Before CHAH, my aspirations were lost.  I had no sense of direction.  It was during my 5 years at CHAH that this changed. The staff at CHAH are people that I'll forever hold dear to my heart because they were the ones that helped spark my interest in photography.  Photography became this fire of love and dedication that I have for the craft.  CHAH is responsible for gearing me towards a successful 4 years in college. I never thought I'd achieve such a clear understanding of the direction of my career.  I never thought that I could produce works of art.  CHAH is the origin of everything that I aspire to in life."

- Victor Ferreras, Class of 2012
Onondaga Community College
AA, Photography

“CHAH will always have a special place in my heart. I learned a lot of valuable things that I would not have learned in any other place.   After coming from another country, I did not know what to expect, but I would not trade the years I spent at CHAH for anything. I am thankful for the time I spent there, to be able to learn the foundations for many different things that I have experienced in college. I also learned how to take on great challenges and make a contribution to society by being myself.  I learned how to grow in the ways I think are most important.”

- Niurka Liranzo, Class of 2013
CUNY - Hunter College
BS, Psychology and Chemistry, Pre-Med

CHAH believes in all their students and is determined to steer you in the right path. It is filled with educators who are there for you. Even if you don't know a teacher, they know you and are always willing to help. I look back on my high school experience and wouldn't change anything; the school and the people taught me to learn and grow as a person. Overall, I was taught the importance of community and the growth that comes with it.

- Kristin Clases, Class of 2017
SUNY - Geneseo
BA, English

I am currently studying Marketing Management and minoring in New Media Arts. As a college SEEK student at Baruch College, I can say that my high school years at CHAH have been a foundation of my interests and passions today. My interests in Marketing started when CHAH took some students on a trip to ESPN, where I learned about a Marketing manager’s day to day work life. Their advice really inspired me to study Marketing. CHAH has taught me the importance of being involved and giving back to the community that has helped me become the person I am today. Because of this, I was able to serve as the college coach for CHAH seniors and currently serve as a Peer Mentor at SEEK in Baruch College. One of the most impactful programs at CHAH was sister sol from the Brotherhood/Sister sol organization. They have provided an amazing emotional and academic support systems among us. I was able to be part of sisterhood and gain connections that I still have today. Overall, along with my experience in cheerleading, yearbook clubs, Junior Achievement, and more in CHAH, I was able to gain transferrable skills to be successful in college. I hope to always give back to CHAH in the ways I can because I am forever grateful of their amazing work on us.

- Carolina Castillo, Class of 2019

CUNY - Baruch College, SEEK Student

BA, Marketing

“My six years at CHAH were nothing short of an unforgettable and heartwarming experience! CHAH made fulfilling my goals in life tremendously attainable as I constantly found ways to immerse myself in the rigorous programs and leadership opportunities offered to students. From joining the CLOTH program to joining Junior Achievement, and the Brotherhood-Sister Sol Organization, I attest all of my accomplishments to CHAH’s guidance, resources, and motivation. Throughout my time at CHAH, I learned the value of empowering marginalized communities to break boundaries and set new influential precedents in our families. CHAH allowed me to identify my true passions in life by exploring different career paths, alongside strengthening my academic pursuits. My transition from High school to college became less challenging as CHAH served as the support system I lacked at home due to a language barrier. Currently, I have accomplished working at some of the most prominent companies in the world such as Warner Bros.Discovery, Telemundo Enterprises, and recently Bloomberg LP, where I will serve as a Financial Analyst upon my graduation from College. I will always hold CHAH’s staff and enrichment opportunities near and dear to my heart. Because of CHAH, I firmly believe that no matter what adversity minorities may face, we have the power to excel by serving as ethical leaders in our unified communities.”

- Alexa Eusebio, Class of 2019

CUNY - Baruch College 

BA, Business/Corporate Communications 

“At CHAH I met some of the most amazing people and I am very proud to say that they’re all still a very big part of my life. Quite honestly, if it hadn’t been for CHAH, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. CHAH helped me become a person that I am: proud of both inside and outside the classroom. Along with offering rigorous and challenging material in the classroom that encourages the development of stellar academic students, it also focuses on creating effective leaders in the community. CHAH’s focus isn’t solely to create powerful minds but also to create powerful character in every student…something I believe every community needs.”

- Jose Disla, Class of 2012
Wheaton College
BA, English
Posse Foundation Scholar

"Community Health Academy of the Heights offered me a challenging and interesting curriculum.  My classmates and I grew together as a family.  We shared a lot of laughs and spread our love whenever we saw someone in need.  Even today, we stand together as a group of graduates from this wonderful school. I took away something really important when I graduated:  never stand still.  Always keep moving forward."

- Nayary Rosario, Class of 2013
CUNY - Lehman College
BS, Nursing

During my seven year journey at CHAH, I realized it is much more than a school; it is more like a family. The teachers and staff are friendly and phenomenal at what they do. The will see the best in you on your darkest days and push you to be better. They mentor you and teach you accountability. This has stuck with me and has helped me greatly. CHAH is truly an amazing place for those who seek to rise above their surroundings and become extraordinary.

- Elian Pellerano, Class of 2018

IT and Network Administrator and Investor

“Before I got there, I never thought CHAH would have made this much impact on my life.  Not only did I meet people that are still some of the most amazing friends anyone can have, but I also met awesome educators who, even through my college years, gave me advice and supported me in my decisions. I truly do not believe that I would have been able to get advice from those teachers as a college Senior had I gone to another high school. Although I did not attend CHAH until my second year of high school, it was my home. Mr. Bowen was my father, Ms. Villa was my mother, Mr. Karp was my cool uncle, and Mr. Noy was the mysterious neighbor I never knew much about. Everyone played a role - from my English teacher to my chemistry teacher. Yes, I learned.  But I learned more than what was in my books. CHAH taught me that everything is not black and white. Things can - and should - be looked at from different perspectives. The educators and my classmates allowed me to go into the college world with an open mind and ready for anything that came my way.” 

- Melody Ovalles, Class of 2012
CUNY - Lehman College
BS, Exercise Science

When I came to CHAH four years ago from the suburbs of Denver, Colorado, I felt confused and lost. I had never been a minority in school before and I found New York City unwelcoming and cold. Throughout my time at CHAH, however, my notions of the city and of knockabout New Yorkers were continually shifted and proved wrong. I'm glad to say that I can call CHAH, its amazing staff, and all of the wonderful friends I made there my family. As I continue my life and academic career outside of New York over the next four years, I know that my experiences at CHAH will be the ones I look back on when things get difficult, giving me the foundation I need to continue creating a healthy and happy life for myself.

- Shori Coggins, Class of 2019
Soka University of America
BA, International Studies