Our Insights
What’s Special
Rigorous academics, opportunities for college credit and high rates of college readiness
The Downside
Few extracurricular opportunities
Bedford Academy High School is a small, academically demanding school in Bedford-Stuyvesant that makes sure students are well-prepared for college. Almost all graduates enroll in two- or four-year colleges. Students may choose from five majors: Pre-Engineering, Pre-Med, Pre-Law, Pre-Education and Liberal Arts.
All students participate in leadership classes designed to teach them to be responsible citizens and to address issues in their communities. Separate “Empowerment” classes for males and females are designed to help students improve their public speaking skills, reading comprehension and reflective practices, according to the school’s 2018 Comprehensive Education Plan (CEP).
Students are expected to take four Regents exams in 9th grade, which allows them to take more advanced classes in later years of high school. Most students take college classes at Medgar Evers College, St. Joseph’s College, Kingsborough Community College, or Monroe College, according to the school’s CEP. Medgar Evers has a health care careers pipeline project that gives participating students the opportunity to graduate high school with an associate's degree.
The school is a good option for students interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). In 2016, Bedford Academy received $200,000 from the office of Brooklyn borough president Eric Adams to develop a computer laboratory and digital library. Also in 2016, math teacher Patrice Bridgewater won a Sloan Award for Excellence in Teaching in Science and Mathematics, an award that recognizes outstanding public school teachers in math and science fields. Medgar Evers College also offers high-level math and computer science classes that Bedford Academy students can take for dual credit.
Principal Adofo Muhammad was previously assistant principal at Benjamin Banneker Academy and principal of two middle schools before coming to Bedford in 2011. He teaches three classes, including a leadership class for male students. Teachers and parents give Muhammad high marks on school surveys.
Eleventh-graders get SAT tutoring from Kaplan twice a week and are encouraged to take the exam in the spring of their junior year. In 11th and 12th grade, students participate in seminars and workshops led by guidance counselors about the college application process, financial aid, résumé writing and college life. The school takes students on visits to colleges like Howard and Georgetown, and on tours of Ivy League and SUNY schools. Students have been admitted to elite schools such as Harvard, Brown, Barnard and Cornell.
One downside: Students grumbled that there aren’t many extracurricular activities, according to school surveys, but the school does have a few PSAL sports.
SPECIAL EDUCATION: A push-in model that uses integrated co-teaching is used, although there is a small population of students with disabilities. (Isabel Corpus, web reports, May 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
Advanced Foreign Language
AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science
AP/IB Math or Science
Music
College Readiness
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryTechnology (K95A)
Program Description:
Courses in fundamental and advanced technology; opportunities for our students to work with and learn from school partners in education and specialists in the field.
Health Professions (K95B)
Program Description:
Introduction to health professions. In addition to required and advanced courses, students have opportunities to work and learn in state-of-the-art labs and facilities.
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Mandarin, Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Calculus AB, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Seminar, AP Statistics, AP United States Government and Politics, AP World History: Modern, Calculus (College Course [Credited]), Chemistry (Advanced Science), Econ/Gov (College Course [Credited]), Physics (Advanced Science), Social Studies (College Course [Credited]), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Basketball, Outdoor Track
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Outdoor Track
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
1119 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn
NY
11216
Trains: , , FS to Franklin Av; to Bedford-Nostrand Avs
Buses: B25, B26, B38, B43, B44, B44-SBS, B48, B49, B52
Contact
Other Details
This school is in its own building.
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