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Our Insights

What’s Special

A focus on law and opportunities for travel

The Downside

Concerns about discipline and order

Bronx Leadership Academy (BLA) was founded in 1993 through the efforts of South Bronx Churches and parents. In recent years, the school has suffered from high teacher turnover, poor student attendance and a declining graduation rate, but staff are working to tighten structures so students feel safe and teachers feel supported.

The school has some nice features. Students take field trips to law firms and courtrooms, and compete in mock trial tournaments. Lawyers at O’Melveny and Myers law firm provide mentors. Some children attend law courses on Saturdays as part of a New York University program.

Each year, four students travel to places like Mali, Nepal, Haiti and Nicaragua to help build houses, said parent coordinator Mohamed Kamara. A 2010 BLA graduate, Kamala returned to join the staff of BLA because he “loved the culture of the school,” where “everyone was so caring, like a family.”

Unfortunately school surveys show there has been a downslide in safety, order and discipline in recent years. Surveys show friction between the principal and the teachers, with fewer than half the teachers saying they trust the principal. In 2018 about half the staff left.

To turn things around, the school has partnered with Phipps Neighborhoods. “They help us with attendance and putting programs together for the kids after school,” Kamara said. Cell phones are no longer allowed in class, teens must adhere to the dress code and those falling behind must stay after school for help. To improve instruction, the school hired an academic coach

“It is much better this year,” Kamala said. “Everyone is working together as a team.”

BLA is two blocks south of the Cross Bronx Expressway amid the auto repair shops of Webster Avenue. The two-story building, originally a warehouse, has narrow halls and lacks an auditorium but, happily, it also lacks a metal detector. Instead, children are greeted at the front door by the principal and members of the staff, Kamala said.

One recent graduate was awarded a full scholarship to Cornell University. Others have been accepted to Binghamton and Borough of Manhattan Community College, while some go on to join their family’s restaurant business or work in retail.

The school has a small gym but no outdoor space. Softball and soccer teams play at local ball fields, and softball is sometimes practiced after hours in hallways. (Lydie Raschka, web reports, interview, October 2018)

 

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School Stats

Academics

School
Citywide
How many students graduate in 4 years?
 
99%
How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
 
95%
How many English language learners graduate in 4 years?
 
95%
Average daily attendance
 
84%
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
 
44%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school offers enough activities and services for their children's needs?
 
100%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school works to achieve the goals of their students' IEPs?
 
94%
From the 2023-24 School Quality Guide and 2023-24 NYC School Survey

Students

370
Number of students
Citywide Average is 608

Race/Ethnicity


School
Citywide
Low-income students
 
100%
Students with disabilities
 
36%
Multilingual learners
 
16%
From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Safety & Vibe

School
Citywide
How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
 
76%
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
 
61%
How many students say that some are bullied at their school because of their gender or sexual orientation?
 
47%
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
 
56%
From the 2023-24 NYC School Survey and 2019-20 NY State Report Card

Faculty & Staff

School
Citywide
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
 
82%
3.0
Years of principal experience at this school
Citywide Average is 8
46
Number of students for each guidance counselor or social worker
Citywide Average is 119

Teachers’ Race/Ethnicity


How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
 
77%
Are teachers effective?
From the 2023-24 NYC School Survey, 2023-24 School Quality Guide, 2021-22 Report on School-Based Staff Demographics, 2023 Guidance Counselor Report, and this school's most recent Quality Review Report

College and Career Readiness

School
Citywide
How well are students prepared for college and careers after four years at this school? What is a College and Career Readiness (CCR) Score?
 
24
How many students take a college-level course or earn a professional certificate?
 
48%
How many students who have graduated from this high school stay in college for at least 3 semesters?
 
36%
From the 2023-24 School Quality Guide
For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Programs & Admissions

From the 2024 High School Directory

Bronx Leadership Academy (X73A)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

This program seeks to develop the critical-thinking skills of our students and expose them to issues involving ethics, justice and morality. We partner with the Justice Resource Center and law firms around the city to expand opportunities for our students to gain exposure to the legal profession (e.g., Moot Court competitions, Mock Trial competitions, law firm and court visits), and for scholarship opportunities.

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

Spanish

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Seminar, AP Statistics, AP United States History, Chemistry (Advanced Science), Physics (Advanced Science)

Boys PSAL teams

Basketball, Volleyball

Girls PSAL teams

Basketball, Softball, Volleyball

Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

1710 Webster Avenue
Bronx NY 10457

Trains: B Line, D Line to 174-175th Sts

Buses: Bx1, Bx11, Bx15, Bx17, Bx2, Bx32, Bx36, Bx41, Bx41-SBS, BxM4


Contact

Principal: Courtnei Davis

Phone: 718-299-4274

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? No

This school is in its own building.

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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