Drivers education has returned to HS223.
A program, offered to high school seniors through a partnership with Arete Education, allows students to take Drivers Ed free of charge and results in a student getting their driver’s permit. The permit is a first step to getting a driver’s license in New York City. The permit allows students to drive legally in New York City with an adult who has a driver’s license in the car.
Ms. Hernandez, who helps run the program for Arete Education, realizes that a driver’s license means much more than just the chance to drive.
“Our seniors plan to go to school in different states, upstate or just far away colleges to the next best thing and getting you guys prepared to just go out to the world would be a driver’s license which is very essential or especially in college,” said Ms. Hernandez.
Ms. Hernandez didn’t want finances to stand in the way of students getting the opportunity to drive.
“This is a very expensive program and with our budget we offer at least 45 to 50 seniors a chance to get their license. This includes the 5 hours of driving for the road test and then the car for the road test,” said Ms. Hernandez.
In order for students to qualify for the program, they must have completed their graduate level PBATs, have a qualifying GPA and have excellent attendance.
Paige Innis (Class of 2026) appreciates how the program is built into her school day to take some of the difficulty out of getting her permit.
“With all the applications I’ve been going through and especially with the lacrosse and cheerleading I wouldn’t have the time to get my permit and all that on my own. Especially with the DMV being impossible to make an appointment. The school made it 10 times easier for me,” said Paige.
HS223 Alumni also see that the initiative, started in 2025, as positive progress for the school as a whole.
“Being alumni I think that this is wonderful for the students. I believe that everyone should have a license whether they live in New York or not a lot of people underestimate the fact that you need to learn how to drive. But it is an important skill and it is great that they are able to receive driving lessons here [at HS223],” said Georgina Chavez (Class of 2019).
The next step for the program, which will continue for students in the Spring, will be helping students with permits to get their license including road time, something that the current group of students is looking forward to.
“I passed on the first round and I did pass the test and that is pretty good,” said Paige.
