It is a cruel world out there, especially to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students. In a telltale sign of the changing—but still intolerant—times, New York City opened the world’s first full-fledged high school for LGBTs in 2003.

Named after the assassinated gay San Francisco politician, the Harvey Milk High School (HMHS) is just like any fully accredited public school in Gotham. It upholds the same curriculum and defers to rules set by the Regents.

Somehow, Harvey Milk High School makes perfect sense. As shown in the 2005 National School Climate Survey, more than 73% of American students have been name-called “dyke or “faggot.” Similarly, the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) reports that an average gay or lesbian student receives derogatory remarks every 14 minutes. Worse yet, the former survey claims that 22% of students were physically harassed for their homosexuality.

Mindful of this, The Hetrick-Martin Institute, a gay nonprofit organization, partnered with the New York City Department of Education to found HMHS in 1984. The school was then launched as two rooms inside Two Astor Place in East Village.

Now it is a full high school, solely managed and operated by the NYC Department of Education. Expanded at a price of $3.2 million, the school accommodated 96 students as late as 2008. Around 90% of students complete the program, with more than 60% going on to enroll in college.

Then again, HMSH does not rectify the deeper problem of homophobia any more than bandage strips cure cancer. The NYC education system has yet to fully perform one of its most fundamental responsibilities: ensure the physical safety of students. Many NYC schools still dismiss anti-gay behavior as schoolyard bullying, not a violence issue that must be penalized.

On those grounds, America’s public schools have much in stake to implement measures against violence based on sexual orientation. In the meantime, bastions like HMHS may have to flourish.