Part of the Success Academy network of charter schools, Bronx Success Academy 2 combines high academic standards with a progressive approach to education. Teachers want children to love school so much that they would decide to attend even if they didn’t have to, according to the network’s director of external affairs, Jenny Sedlis.

Bronx Success Academy 2 occupies the top two floors of a building shared with PS 55 Benjamin Franklin (Bronx Success Academy 2 moved out of the building shared with PS 146 from 2010 to 2012). The school opened in August 2010 with kindergarten and 1st grade and plans to add a grade each year until it teaches K–8. The school is one of many in the franchise of charter schools that Eva Moskowitz began in Harlem in 2006, and it follows the same model. Students wear plaid jumpers, orange ties, navy dress pants, and orange polo shirts. Kindergartners attend from 7:45 a.m. until 4 p.m., and 1st graders until 4:30 p.m.

The school uses TERC and Singapore Math for its math curriculum and THINK Literacy, Success Academy’s own reading program. “We have a very specific model where every kid is learning at their own level,” explained Principal Vanessa Bangser. As students demonstrate readiness, teachers can speed up the pacing on all curriculum.

 On our visit, children were the center of the lessons. In every class, we saw evidence of independent thinking, not mere repetition. A kindergartner explained to the class his method for counting to 43 by 10s, and then classmates had the opportunity to comment and ask questions about his approach. In 1st grade, one class split into groups with students leading a discussion. After each student answered a question, the student moderator responded with “So what I hear you saying is …” and an interpretation of the answer.

 Students take chess class twice a week, and have science, recess, and sports daily. Though there is no art class, kindergarteners have 50 minutes of “lab time” every day, where, on our visit, they were doing an art project and playing with blocks.

 The network has an open-door policy and responds to every parent within 24 hours. Bronx Success 2 requires parents to read to their children every night and attend bimonthly family events. Parents are welcome to observe their child’s class at any time, but must notify the school beforehand.

Special education: Most classes have two teachers, especially for math, writing, and kindergarten lab. The school plans to add an inclusion classroom for the 2011–12 school year.

Admissions: Admission is by lottery. Preference is given to students in District 9. (Aryn Bloodworth, March 2011. Review updated to reflect the school's new location and district August 2012.)