Initiatives and Activities Supported by FoCSS
The College Office
The Columbia Secondary School College Office is a vital part of our community—and one that exists entirely thanks to the support of the Friends of Columbia Secondary School (FoCSS). The Department of Education does not fund a dedicated college counseling position, so FoCSS fills that gap, ensuring that all CSS students receive personalized, expert guidance through one of the most important transitions of their lives.
College counseling is its own area of expertise—very different from general guidance counseling. Our college counselors bring a specific set of skills focused on helping students navigate a complex and often overwhelming process. That includes building a balanced college list, writing personal statements, understanding financial aid, applying to opportunity programs, and preparing for interviews. Just as important, our counselors help students identify what really matters to our students—academically, personally, and in terms of the experiences they want to have beyond high school.
Support begins as early as 9th grade with an introductory college visit to help students start envisioning their futures. The more in-depth college counseling process begins in 11th grade, when students participate in weekly College Clubs, family nights, college tours, and individualized advising. By senior year, students are enrolled in College Readiness classes that guide them through every part of the application and financial aid process. Along the way, we provide one-on-one meetings, essay coaching, interview prep, and opportunities to connect directly with college representatives, attend college fairs, and apply to scholarship programs like Posse and QuestBridge.
The impact of this work is real. In just one recent year, CSS students were admitted to colleges across the country—from Ivy League institutions to public universities and liberal arts colleges—and earned spots in highly competitive scholarship and support programs. Our graduates leave CSS with not just a plan, but a sense of ownership over their future.
As one parent put it: “To be provided this type of counseling at a public school is fabulous and such an advantage for the students and parents. It is priceless.”
Musical
Each spring, Columbia Secondary School’s annual musical brings the entire school community together in a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and student talent. More than just a performance, the musical is a large-scale production that gives students the chance to take on real-world roles both onstage and behind the scenes.
Students design and build the sets; the student-run Tech Team manages sound, lighting, and stage crew; and the Pit Band—made up of student musicians—performs a full live score. At the heart of the show are our student actors, who bring the story to life with energy and heart, guided by a team of dedicated staff.
The production is made possible through the support of Friends of Columbia Secondary School, a nonprofit that funds enriching experiences beyond what public funding can provide. Friends of CSS proudly supports the key staff roles that make the musical possible each year: the Musical Director, Assistant Director, Pit Band Director, and Lights Director. Their mentorship and expertise ensure a high-quality production and meaningful learning experience for students.
This year’s musical, Matilda, was a joyful and moving celebration of resilience and imagination. It joins an impressive lineup of past productions including The Sound of Music, Footloose, SpongeBob SquarePants, Mean Girls, and A Sondheim Review.
Thanks to the generosity of our community, the CSS Musical continues to be one of the most anticipated and beloved events of the school year.
Robotics
Launched in 2023, Harlem Rails, is Columbia Secondary School’s official robotics team, giving over 30 students hands-on experience in engineering, coding, design, and teamwork. As part of the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), students build and program industrial-sized robots, working with mentors from Columbia University and industry professionals.
Now fully run within CSS, the team meets regularly at school and the Mechanical Engineering Lab at Mudd. Students lead everything—from building the robot to launching a website and managing operations—developing real-world skills and a passion for STEM.
FoCSS proudly funds essential expenses like competition fees, tools, and robot parts. Your support helps our students innovate, compete, and prepare for top engineering programs and future careers.
