Saja Amrati and Dahlia Lief, Grade 10, Staff Writers  For many High School of American Studies (HSAS) students, learning does not stop in the classroom. Common Sense  takes a look at our classmates’ attempts at balancing the obligations of  school and work. While the majority of students find their employment a source of critical skills while also getting paid, they have also had to balance work and school. Others have chosen to focus entirely on academics.         According

Malcolm Shealy & Max Blodgett, Grades 11 & 12, Staff writers      “What is the point of learning history if you can’t apply it to today?” This quotation wasn’t asked hundreds of years ago or by a great leader but rather by one of our school’s U.S. History teachers, Mr. Iurato. Common Sense   takes a look at our school’s attempts to make history relevant. Students recall different connections to historical topics as time goes on and new issues pop up in the media. Rhys Agalliu

Alexander Christian and Riley Fox, 12th Grade, Staff Writers     The government shutdown has come to an end. The Senate has officially passed a continuing resolution to reopen the government, with eight Democrats breaking party lines in the vote. Common Sense  takes a look at the effect on our community.     The Democratic Senators voted alongside the 52 Republican senators to break the 60 vote filibuster to pass the budget.      More recently, the House of Representatives al

Marguerite Urbain, 11th grade, Staff Writer    Any release by Taylor Swift receives immense buzz, since she is perhaps the most famous artist of the decade. Her latest album, “ The Life of a Showgirl” , has been highly anticipated since its announcement. However, it seems to have been met with extremely mixed opinions, even from her most fervent fans.      One of the most discussed aspects of the album has been its dive into more adult and sensual themes, particularly on “

Jesse Fraser-Greytak and Daniel Brindle-Khym, Grade 10, Staff Writers The High School of American Studies Girls’ tennis team entered the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL)  division finals with a near perfect record.     The Senators span all grade levels, encompassing a wide variety of skill levels. In fact, their coach Steve Schulman attributes the team’s success to “depth of strength and team cohesion.”      One thing is certain: the Senators’ success is no accident.  

Alexa Stone and Isabel Lindner, 11th Grade, Staff Writers  Since 2020, Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) cutoff scores for six out of the eight Specialized High Schools have decreased. Common Sense investigates possible causes for this drop in scores. Throughout the city, thousands of students annually prepare for the test, using different resources like private tutors, group prep classes, and workbooks, or they go into it blind.  Although many people value t

Gauvain Hardouin, Grade 10, Staff Writer On May 9, 2025, New York became the largest state to enact a highly controversial bill to ban phones in schools. Common Sense  reports on how our school has implemented the new law.       This program is meant to remove distractions to students. It allowed schools to independently enforce this bill, and there was no clear storing equipment distributed. At the High School of American Studies, the school decided that phones must be in s

Adalyn Mulcahy & Eliana Psachie, Grade 9, Staff Writers The Girls’ Cross Country team at HSAS this year has been successful when it comes to both competitions and personal team bonding.  Common Sense Sports  takes a look at the Autumn 2025 season.     After winning third place in the Varsity Borough Championships on October 25th, the team went on to place 12th in the city for the Frosh/Soph City Championships the very next weekend.      Head Coach, Mr. Iurato, says he has e

Clyde Brittelle, Grade 10, Staff Writer This year’s mayoral race - unlike any other - has been surrounded by arguments on foreign policy.  However, one of its most important aspects was the economy.      This election has seen an unprecedented and consolidated effort to prevent a mayor who focuses on affordability and economic egalitarianism coming to power. Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral campaign marks a critical moment in the fight to challenge wealth inequal

Camille Dillon-Eirich, Grade 10, Staff Writer      In many High School of American Studies classrooms, class can end in a rush to pack up and reorganize the classroom. In some cases, Chromebooks or iPads were used to upload work, do research, or complete an assignment. Common Sense  investigates the process during the return of devices.     Usually, when used, there are repetitious instructions from teachers to ensure Chromebooks and iPads are put away in their designated car