Eagle Academy for Young Men

Eagle Academy for Young Men is an all-boys school in the Bronx designed to provide intense academics and a supportive environment to young men of color who may be at risk of falling behind or dropping out of high school. The school offers extra academic help after school and on Saturdays, as well as mentoring opportunities with One Hundred Black Men.

In 2010, Eagle Academy moved into its new $50 million building, which offers amenities such as a weight room, a recording studio, and a senate chamber that is designed to look like a courtroom.  Students must wear smart uniforms of grey slacks, blue shirts and different colored ties that indicate their class year.

The school has a “positive climate of excellence and high expectations,” according to the Quality Review.  Every day, students participate in “Town Hall” meetings designed to reinforce the school’s core values. Each student is assigned to one of four houses that represent great leaders, where they compete for “House of the Year.”

Students say if they have any concerns or conflicts, there is more than one member of the school staff that they can go to, according to the Quality Review. “Parents echoed this and added that the school is proactive to take care of issues in a timely and effective manner,” the reviewer said.

Unfortunately, the quality of teaching is uneven, the reviewer said. While some classes have lively discussions, in other classes students are not engaged. Middle school test scores are well below the citywide average, and most graduates need to take remedial classes if they go to college.

Nonetheless, some students excel and several parents told InsideSchools that Eagle Academy offered their sons an excellent education not available anywhere else.

ADMISSIONS: The school admits students in 6th and 9th grades. Current 8th graders are guaranteed a seat in 9th grade. Both the student and his parent must attend an open house in the fall. Seats are occasionally open mid-year and in other grades, according to the school website. (Clara Hemphill, web reports, November 2017)