Boys & Girls' High School has become a neighborhood institution, led for years by a charismatic disciplinarian who once patrolled outside school carrying a claw hammer. The school, nicknamed "The Pride and Joy of Bed Stuy," draws kids from some of the lowest performing middle schools in the city. Some of the city's worst housing projects are on surrounding streets. Principal Frank Mickens brought order to what had been a troubled, chaotic place by enforcing strict codes of conduct and keeping kids he called troublemakers out. His. . .

"I recently wrote to three of my daughters teachers asking them to call me or e-mail me about my daughter. She is failing in school and I would like to speak with them so I can set up a meeting... read more