Bronx Latin is an orderly, happy place with small classes, teachers who have high expectations and students who seem to love their teachers. Even though most students enter 6^th grade with poor academic skills, more than three-quarter graduate on time. Students wear uniforms of black or white collared shirts and beige pants or skirts.

The school is a haven in a poor, sometimes violent, neighborhood. Even so, students and consistently say they feel safe in both in the school and in the area outside the school, according to the Learning Environment Survey.

Despite its name, the school no longer offers Latin because the administration was unable to find a replacement for the Latin teacher who left. However, it still offers classes in Greek and Roman history and culture. All students take four years of math and four years of science, and they are better prepared for college than the typical New York City high school student. Class size is about 20, well below the citywide average. Each teacher has three or four classes—rather than the five which is typical in high schools—so students can get extra attention from teachers. Almost every student responding to the survey said their teachers encourage them to succeed and inspire them to learn-- a response that’s much higher than typical New York City school.

Founding Principal Leticia Pineiro assembled a team of teachers who work well together and who share her vision for as classical education. Teachers meet regularly during the day and after school to plan curriculum and discuss student progress. They visit one another’s classes four times a year.

The school, opened in 2004, was undergoing a transition in 2012. Pineiro was assigned to a job at Department of Education headquarters. Her assistant principal was acting head of the school, pending a decision by the DOE on a permanent appointment.

The school shares the old IS 158 building with Bronx Career and College Prep, and Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School.

College admissions: The principal and a small team of teachers serve as college advisors. Graduates have been admitted to Connecticut College, Babson, Northeastern and top tier SUNYs including Binghamton, Stonybrook, Buffalo and Albany.

Special education: The school offers both self-contained classes and team-teaching class for students with special needs.

Admissions: District 12 choice for middle school. For high school, students who attend an open house receive preference. (Clara Hemphill, interviews and DOE statistics, July 2012)