Bronx Early College Academy “Preparing ALL Students for College Success”

1. Bronx Early College Academy“Preparing ALL Students for College Success”

2. Bronx Early College Academy Our Mission • To prepare ALL students to be successful college graduates. • To be a collaborative learning community. • To provide rigorous programming. • To provide up to two years of college credit.

3. Bronx Early College Academy Why do we need an early college school? “new research reveals a huge gap between aspirations and reality, especially for poor and minority students. For them, high school dropout rates remain high and college graduation rates low. How low? Only about one in 17 young people from the nation's poorest families, those earning less than $35,377 a year, can expect to earn a bachelor's degree by age 24. “ - From “Reality Weighs Down on Dreams of College.” by Greg Toppo and Anthony DeBarros, USA TODAY http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2005-02-02-college-cover_x.htm

4. Bronx Early College AcademyWhy do we need an early college school? “Over a 40-year career… a college graduate will earn about 73 percent more than a high school graduate. “ -From “College Costs Going Nowhere But Up” by Rob Kelly, CNNMoney.com

5. Bronx Early College Academy How can BECA help students be successful in secondary school and college? • Address the social, physical, and academic needs of each student • Provide rigorous curriculum: Lehman College courses starting in 9th grade • Provide enrichment programs • Provide individualized assistance: tutoring, small class sizes, extended day programs • Provide opportunities to earn up to 2 years of college credit

6. Bronx Early College Academy How can BECA help students be successful in secondary school and college? • Provide emotional supports for students: counseling, peer mediation, advisory programs • Provide ways to develop socially: student government, sports, field trips, community events, art, physical education • Provide ways to connect with the community: Parent Association events, community service activities

7. Bronx Early College Academy Who are we? • Grades 6 and 7 with 156 students • Growing by one grade per year until we are 6 – 12th grades • Maximum size of 500 students at full capacity • May relocate next year or the lower grades may remain • Small class and grade sizes • Student to staff ratio of 7:1 (not including tutors) • Partnership in Teacher Excellence site • Partnered with CUNY Early College Initiative and Lehman College • Service General Education, Special Education and English Language Learners

8. Bronx Early College Academy How are we doing? • Progress Report shows we earned a score of 51.3 out of 55 on student progress, and 20.1 out of 30 on student performance • Conclusions – our incoming students have mixed abilities, but the majority are making exceptional progress • Progress Report shows we earned high marks on the student, staff, and parent surveys

9. Bronx Early College Academy Who is the ideal BECA student? • Hard-working with a strong desire to attend college • Strives to achieve academic success in a supportive environment • Proud to wear our school uniform • Lives in District 9 or 10 • Selects BECA as his or her first choice • Wants to contribute to our community

10. Bronx Early College Academy Contact Information: Sharon Freedman, Principal sfreedman@schools.nyc.gov Ada Martinez, Secretary AMartinez10@schools.nyc.gov 3223 Independence Avenue Bronx, NY 10463 (718) 432-0537