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Urban Assembly Bronx Academy of Letters

Grades: 6-12
Staff Pick for Special Ed Noteworthy

Our Insights

What’s Special

Rich learning beyond the classroom

The Downside

Attendance has a way to go

Urban Assembly Bronx Academy of Letters is a close-knit 6–12 school where students build reading, writing and thinking skills through academics, the arts, and real-world opportunities. Field trips, after-school programs, and electives extend learning beyond the classroom, while community partnerships help students explore interests and prepare for high school, college, and careers. A veteran teacher described the school as a “home away from home” for students.

Academics & Instruction: The school emphasizes speaking, reading, and writing across subjects. Classroom setups vary—desks may be in pairs, circles, or small groups. In grades 6 to 9, students take an extra class alongside English to build reading and literacy skills. At the end of the year, middle schoolers tackle hands-on projects and service trips, then share their work in a public showcase. Middle school electives include visual arts, theater, and band.

High schoolers read seven books in 10th grade English class, like Fahrenheit 451 and The Crucible, and connect them to poems, films, or video games. In Earth & Space, students use NASA data to explore distant planets and see how math helps scientists search for life beyond our solar system. Students ready for advanced coursework can take classes online, including calculus and physics. The school offers several Advanced Placement courses.

High school electives include business, film studies, criminology, strategic thinking, and theater. Theater students attend Broadway shows and perform at venues such as the Upright Citizens Brigade. They join the Broadway Teen Council, work backstage with the Broadway League, or intern with Roundabout Theatre.

Culture & Tone: More than half of middle schoolers stay on for high school. Small classes let teachers get to know students well, lead discussions, and offer one-on-one support, including during lunch. One teacher said, “Our students are thoughtful, critical thinkers. You see it in class discussions and in their speaking and reading, even if it doesn’t always show up on tests.” Each grade has its own counselor.

An advisory board funds college trips and field trips to local attractions including the American Museum of Natural History and the Tenement Museum. Some students pursue experiences such as a trip to Italy, a 30-day Alaska expedition, summer programs at MIT and Philips Exeter Academy, and internships at the New-York Historical Society or the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The school has led initiatives such as a 2022 sports-equity lawsuit, added fencing, volleyball and other sports denied to many Black and Latinx students, and was an early adopter of phone-free classrooms. Attendance is an ongoing challenge, but the school works to keep students engaged.

Middle schoolers enjoy after-school activities run by SONYC such as sports, cooking, dance, step, table tennis, and podcasting. High school students participate in a range of clubs such as Film Society, Robotics, Gaming, Chess, crafting, and Gay-Straight Alliance.

Building & Facilities: The school shares the former IS 183 building. Middle and high school classrooms are on either side of the Success Academy Bronx 1 Charter School.

College & Career: A full-time counselor helps students plan for life after high school. The school offers SAT prep, writing support, and college visits

Special Education: About a third of students receive extra support in small or co-taught classes. They participate fully in school life and can take part in extracurriculars like theater internships. (Lydie Raschka, official reports and interview, November 2025)

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School Stats

Citywide Average Key
This school is Better Near Worse than the citywide average

Is this school safe and well-run?

From the 2024-2025 NYC School Survey

How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
83%
82% Citywide Average
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
54%
53% Citywide Average
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
91%
84% Citywide Average
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
88%
82% Citywide Average

From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card

How many students were suspended?
3%
4% Citywide Average

From this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Are teachers effective?

From the 2023-24 School Quality Report

How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
71%
78% Citywide Average
Years of principal experience at this school
4.2

How do students perform academically?

From the New York State 2023-2024 Assessment Database

How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
19%
50% Citywide Average
How many middle school students scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
19%
50% Citywide Average

From the 2023-24 School Quality Guide

How many 8th-graders earn high school credit?
0%
49% Citywide Average
How many students graduate in 4 years?
80%
90% Citywide Average

Who does this school serve?

From the 2024-25 Demographic Snapshot

Enrollment
408
Asian
1%
Black
31%
Hispanic
62%
White
4%
Other
1%
Free or reduced priced lunch
100%
Students with disabilities
35%
English language learners
16%

From the 2023-24 School Quality Guide

Average daily attendance
79%
88% Citywide Average
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
66%
39% Citywide Average

How does this school serve special populations?

From the 2023-24 School Quality Report

How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
73%
84% Citywide Average
How many English language learners graduate in 4 years?
78%
78% Citywide Average

From the New York State 2023-2024 Assessment Database

How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
4%
19% Citywide Average
How many students with disabilities scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
9%
19% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state math exam?
9%
8% Citywide Average
How many English language learners scored 3-4 on the state reading exam?
0%
3% Citywide Average
For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Programs & Admissions

From the 2024 High School Directory

Bronx Academy of Letters (X27A)

Admissions Method: Open

Program Description:

Our school focuses on writing and social justice, giving all scholars a place to leverage their leadership and amplify their voice. Our extended school-day means there are additional opportunities for students to take high-interest classes and connect their interests and passions in new ways. At BAL, students do A LOT of writing, using their thinking to explain, process, and drive understanding in new areas!

Urban Assembly School Bronx Academy of Letters ASD Horizon Program (07X551)

Admissions Method: ASD/ACES Program

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

Spanish

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP United States History, Chemistry (Advanced Science)

Boys PSAL teams

Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Outdoor Track, Table Tennis

Girls PSAL teams

Cross Country, Fencing, Flag Football, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Softball, Table Tennis, Volleyball

Coed PSAL teams

Stunt

Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

339 Morris Avenue
Bronx NY 10451

Buses: Bx1, Bx13, Bx15, Bx19, Bx2, Bx21, Bx32, Bx33, Bx41, Bx41-SBS, M125


Contact

Principal: Amy Schless

Parent Coordinator: Lisa Monge

Phone: 718-401-4891

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? Yes

This school shares the building with Success Academy Bronx 1 Charter and a District 75 program, PS 168

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? No

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