Our Insights
What’s Special
Engaging work that includes projects and field trips; warm rapport between students and teachers
The Downside
High rates of chronic absenteeism
Class discussions, field trips and projects are the norm at Bronxdale High School, located on the Columbus Educational Campus. Students may plant trees to protect the coastline from storms, learn to cook gourmet meals, or create artwork designed to foster a peaceful community.
To graduate, students must prepare an interdisciplinary project called a Capstone Project, similar to a college thesis paper. Classes are small—about 22 students—and meet for 90 minutes instead of the usual 43.
The school has a very low suspension rate. Almost every staff member is trained in the restorative justice model, designed to help students resolve differences peacefully. Youth court, peer mentors, the student support team and full time social worker, all play a role in managing infractions and dealing with the root cause of the offense.
In-depth projects and classroom debates are woven into lessons beginning in the 9th grade. In a 9th grade Global class we visited, students discussed current issues in the news that pose the greatest threat; in 9th grade English, students reading The Hate You Give discussed conversational gender bias—girls getting the ‘birds & the bees” talk, while boys get the ‘how to speak to police officers’ speech. By their senior year, students tackle larger projects such as studying the ecology of the Hudson River in their environmental science class.
Students take trips to the American Museum of Natural History, the African Burial Ground and the Museum of Modern Art. Bronxdale’s culinary department is a hidden gem. It's a small program, where students cater most school events. There are also some interesting electives such as game theory, thinking critically about Hip-hop and zombie apocalypse (about surviving pathogens).
All students have continual access to online tutorials via Khan Academy.
Bronxdale is one of several small high schools housed in the Christopher Columbus Educational Campus Building. Students from all schools in the building may participate in a campus-wide music program as well as campus-wide PSAL sports teams.
While daily student attendance runs average for the city, Bronxdale has many students who are chronically absent, meaning more than ten percent of the school year.
Bronxdale was one of the first Bronx schools with an ASD-Nest program, which gives extra support to a small group of students with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who otherwise are fully integrated into Bronxdale classes. All freshman teachers are trained by NYU or Hunter College on how to educate students with ASD.
The Young Women’s Leadership Network's College Bound Inititative funds a full-time college counselor and a robust college advisory program that includes trips to colleges. SAT prep is offered on the weekends. Some students have accepted to SEO Scholars, an organization that offers comprehensive support to students through the college application process and throughout their years in college. Most graduates attend CUNY and SUNY schools.
SPECIAL EDUCATION: Most classes utilize ICT (Integrated Collaborative Teaching), where of mix general education students and those with special needs are taught by two teachers, one of whom is licensed in special education. The structure also helps aid ASD-Nest students’ integration into those classes. English language learners get extra support during project time. (Jacqueline Wayans, September 2018)
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School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Advanced Courses
Calculus
Computer Science
Not offered in 2021-21Physics
Not offered in 2021-21Advanced Foreign Language
Not offered in 2021-21AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science
AP/IB Math or Science
Music
Not offered in 2021-21College Readiness
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Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryBronxdale High School (Y53A)
Program Description:
We are a college prep school that prepares students to think critically and solve problems using an inquiry-based model. We have the honor of being selected as a New York Performance Standards Consortium Pilot school. Our instructional approach immerses kids in real-world and relevant problems across courses that include Environmental Science, Science Research (3yr course), and Writing for the Real World, as well as traditional courses like calculus, chemistry, arts, and a range of APs.
Bronxdale High School D75 Inclusion Program (Y53U)
Bronxdale High School ASD Nest Program (Y53Y)
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP United States History, Chemistry (Advanced Science), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Football, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Bowling, Gymnastics, Indoor Track, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
925 Astor Avenue
Bronx
NY
10469
Trains: to Allerton Av; to Pelham Parkway
Buses: Bx12, Bx12-SBS, Bx25, Bx26, Bx30, Bx39, Bx8, BxM11
Contact
Other Details
This school shares the Christopher Columbus Educational Campus with four other schools
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