Edward R. Murrow High School

Edward R. Murrow High School, is located in the Midwood section of Brooklyn, New York City, New York and is part of the New York City Department of Education. The school is known for its theater program. Its success in the arts was recognized by Mel Brooks, who granted the school to be the first ever to gain rights to the musical The Producers in spring 2008. It is a school of the arts where students are either music, dance, communication arts, theater, or art majors. The school was created under the supervision and leadership of Saul Bruckner, who was also the first principal of the school.Murrow H.S. opened in 1974 with Saul Bruckner as principal. The school was named for the pioneering television newsman Edward R. Murrow. Murrow H.S. was founded according to the pedagogical theories of John Dewey and the learning and teaching methods of John Dewey High School. Bruckner retired in 2004 and died on May 1, 2010, in Brooklyn, New York. Anthony Lodico became Murrow's second principal. In March 2012, Lodico announced his resignation from Murrow in order to accept the High School Superintendent position. On April 2, 2012, Allen Barge assumed the role of principal of the school.AcademicsMurrow's academic year is divided into two semesters. Students receive new class schedules and teachers at the end of January. The daily schedule shifts depending on the day of the week, with class lengths varying from 45 minutes to an hour, and each class meets only four times a week. Rather than having a lunch period or study halls, Murrow students have free periods called "OPTA's" (Optional Time Activities), used for studying, eating, or relaxing.