The Bronx School of Law and Finance, which shares the 6^th through 8^th floors of the John F. Kennedy Campus, has some students who are deeply engaged in the school’s theme—and some who end up there by default. For those who care about law and finance, there are interactive classes with a mock courtroom and stock ticker. The less engaged students, however, can be a distraction.

Principal Evan Schwartz, who has been at the school since New Visions for Public Schools founded it in 2003, teaches an international finance class. We sat in on an interesting international criminal law class, where students watched Platoon to compare war crimes in the 20^th and 21^st centuries. Most classes, however, were lecture-and-listen. In a few classes, teachers struggled to get students’ attention. Advanced students may take College Now classes at Lehman College and AP English and American history. The majority of graduates go to CUNY schools.

At the beginning of the day, a sea of students push their way through the scanners at the entrance shared by six of the building’s eight schools. But the 8^th floor is calm and quiet and a blue and white picket fence greets visitors inside the main office of the Bronx School of Law and Finance.

Students wear khaki pants and a collared shirt of their choosing. In an effort to move attendance rates up from the low 80s, students with no absences in a given month are allowed to attend school uniform-free for a day. Schwartz says the approach is working and in September 2011, over 40 percent of students got a day without their khakis.

Constant correction gives students a second chance to improve grades by correcting homework or test mistakes for extra points. A study skills class teaches 9^th graders time management, learning styles and note taking.

Afterschool, students play PSAL sports on building-wide teams and can participate in film club and mock trial.

Special education: The school accommodates self-contained, Collaborative Team Teaching and resource room students. Schwartz aims to move all students into mainstream classes. “The goal is not to have a senior year self-contained class, to at least get those students into inclusion classes.”

Admissions: Limited unscreened. Open to Bronx residents. According to the school’s website, attendance at an informational meeting by student and family is required. (Aryn Bloodworth, October 2011)