Urban Assembly Bronx Academy of Letters
Grades: 6-12Our 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
Is this school safe and well-run?
From the 2024-2025 NYC School Survey
From the 2019-20 NY State Report Card
From this school's most recent Quality Review Report
From the 2023-24 School Quality Report
How do students perform academically?
From the New York State 2023-2024 Assessment Database
From the 2023-24 School Quality Guide
Who does this school serve?
From the 2024-25 Demographic Snapshot
From the 2023-24 School Quality Guide
How does this school serve special populations?
From the 2023-24 School Quality Report
From the New York State 2023-2024 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 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
Contact & Location
Location
339 Morris Avenue
Bronx
NY
10451
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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