About Us

a Legacy of - success

The Beginning

Alfred E. Smith Career and Technical Education High School was originally built in the early 20th Century as the "Bronx Continuation School" for students who left the school system. The school eventually became a vocational high school in the 1920s providing internships and job opportunities for thousands of students through the years. The school was named after the former New York governor and Democratic nominee for president, Alfred E. Smith in 1965.

Present Day

In 2010 The New York City Department of Education planned to close the school but the plan was cancelled after strong protests from the community, and professional establishments across the city.


In 2012 new administration took over and the graduation rate increased from 51% to 99% in the last 8 years. Students can earn both an academic regents diploma and a state-approved technical endorsement in Automotive and Graphic Design. Students begin as early as the 9th grade in their career sequence as part of the CTE program.




Who was Alfred E. Smith?

Alfred Emanuel Smith (December 30, 1873 – October 4, 1944) was an American statesman who was elected Governor of New York four times and was the Democratic U.S. presidential candidate in 1928. The affability of the “Happy Warrior” contributed to his success in working with Republican majorities in the assembly to win passage of laws regulating child labor, improving factory conditions, creating state parks and providing for the mentally ill. Smith also made his mark as an administrator by reducing the number of state departments and agencies, but increasing efficiency.

Smith was born and raised in the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

He grew up in the Gilded Age as New York itself matured. The Brooklyn Bridge was being constructed nearby. "The Brooklyn Bridge and I grew up together," Smith would later recall.