Our Insights
What’s Special
Emphasis on research, writing and social justice
The Downside
Attendance has a ways to go
At the Urban Assembly Bronx Academy of Letters, students complete imaginative research projects on a wide range of topics such as climate change, environmental racism, obesity in poor communities and incarceration rates. They also learn outside the school: at cultural institutions, through field work for research projects, helping out in the community, and getting involved in social justice causes.
While the school has struggled in recent years, it seems to be on the upswing. The Department of Education praised the quality of its teaching staff, its imaginative curriculum, and the effective college placement office, according to school's most recent Quality Review.
Most students arrive with poor academic skills and attendance is below average. However, the school has thoughtful strategies to build skills, keep students engaged, and put them on the track for college. High school students we spoke with said they appreciated the level of support they received from teachers as well as the range of opportunities at the school, especially the chance to take several Advanced Placement classes or free courses at local colleges.
On our visit, students seemed relaxed and engaged; teachers address their students in conversational voices. In classes it's common to find students working in groups and teachers circulating the room to check in on students' progress.
Beginning in 6th grade students are expected to write a lot on a range of topics. Each year, students complete four research projects, called exhibitions, culminating with a written piece and an oral presentation before a panel of adults. For example, 7th-graders read scientific literature on climate change, and then visited PS 62 on Staten Island, a fully solar-powered school to learn about energy conservation.
Student activism is encouraged. Students interested in activism through art studied the work of Keith Haring and then created a Haring-style mural in the school. Others study gentrification in local communities, or visit nursing homes to create a Humans of New York-style scrapbook of the stories of longtime Bronx residents. High school students are involved in a group called IntegrateNYC4me, which advocates for school integration. Others work on LGBTQA rights. To combat high obesity rates in the surrounding neighborhood, the school provides the local community with fresh produce it grows in its organic garden.
The school has an advisory board, which raises money for student trips abroad, overnight trips to colleges, visits to cultural venues throughout the city and for the school's residency program, which hires professional actors, writers and musicians to work with students on independent projects.
A fulltime college counselor guides students through the college admissions process. SAT prep is offered for free at the school. Graduates typically attend two- or four-year CUNY colleges and some attend SUNY and private colleges.
Housed in the former IS 183 building, Bronx Academy of Letters has an awkward layout because the middle school and high school classrooms are located in separate parts of the building. In between is the Success Academy Bronx 1 Charter School, which opened in the building in 2011.
SPECIAL EDUCATION: In addition to SETSS there are ICT and self-contained classes.
(Laura Zingmond, March 2017; updated May 2019)
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School Stats
Is this school safe and well-run?
From the 2022-2023 NYC School Survey
From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card
From this school's most recent Quality Review Report
From 2023 End-of-year Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Report
How do students perform academically?
From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database
From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide
Who does this school serve?
From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot
From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide
How does this school serve special populations?
From 2023 End-of-year Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism Report
From the New York State 2022-2023 Assessment Database
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryBronx Academy of Letters (X27A)
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)
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP Statistics, AP United States History, Chemistry (Advanced Science), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)
Boys PSAL teams
Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Outdoor Track, Table Tennis
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, 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
Contact & Location
Location
339 Morris Avenue
Bronx
NY
10451
Trains: to 149th St-Grand Concourse; , to 138th St; to 138th St-3rd Ave
Buses: Bx1, Bx13, Bx15, Bx19, Bx2, Bx21, Bx32, Bx33, Bx41, Bx41-SBS, M125
Contact
Other Details
This school shares the building with Success Academy Bronx 1 Charter and a District 75 program, PS 168
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