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A sprawling building at 925 Astor Avenue in Bronxdale, Bronx, seen above, houses five separate public schools. But two of those - Christopher Columbus High School and Global Enterprise High School - are among the 19 schools that the Panel for Education Policy voted to close early Wednesday.

On Wednesday morning, staff, students and parents arriving at the two schools said that the closing were unfair. They said the student body largely comes from challenging socio-economic backgrounds and that a quarter of the students require special education.

Many of the students enroll into the two schools after being expelled from other schools.

"I feel the city is really doing an injustice to these kids, especially our special ed kids. They're very high needs students," said guidance counselor Joy Gralnick. "They say we've been failing over the last few years, they have not come in to give us support so far, they have shown that they don't care about these students. These students talk a little longer to get places. What might take some students four years are taking our students six years, but they are being successful."

"I don't like it because there's a lot of programs in the school, and like, it helps out people that don't do good in school. Like there's programs that will help you build up your credit," said junior Bianca Delgado.

Staff members agree that many students are reading, writing and doing math two grades below their level, but some parents of Columbus High students said their children were doing better than before they enrolled here.

Some students admitted that even with after-hours tutoring, their academic performance could be better.

"I don't like it because there's a lot of programs in the school and like it helps out people that don't do good in school, like there's programs that will help you build up your credit," said Columbus High School student Bianca Delgado.

Other students feared the loss of a legacy, as Columbus has been a neighborhood school since 1938.

"Our behavior is good and bad. Our grade levels is not good right now," said Columbus High School student Mayah Jackson.

The two schools' closings here will be gradual. Students currently enrolled will be allowed to graduate, but new enrollments won't be accepted.