Our Insights
What’s Special
Safe school with a consistent approach to instruction
The Downside
Working to raise college readiness rate
Eximius Preparatory Academy largely lives up to the meaning of its exalted Latin name, “most excellent.” Most children graduate on time in this safe, well-run school, including the many with disabilities, who make up almost one-fourth of the school population.
The school was founded in 2005, as part of an initiative by the College Board, a not-for-profit that helps under-served children gain access to higher education. About two-thirds of the graduates enroll in either two-year or four-year colleges, however, roughly the same number may need extra help to catch up in college, according to school data.
The teaching in the high school is consistent and of high quality, according to the Quality Review, a report compiled by a city reviewer after two days observing classes and interviewing staff, students and parents. The reviewer praised the fact that students could answer questions about what they were studying and why it was important. In most classes, they annotated text as they read and cited evidence to support their claims.
In a 12th-grade physics class, children studied the relationship between energy and power, the reviewer said and explained how they could apply this knowledge to solve everyday problems such as maintaining and designing roller coasters.
In a 12th-grade math class, children worked in groups according to skill level so they could tackle problems that weren’t too hard or too easy. In a 10th grade English class, children grouped themselves according to their ease, or confusion about, the homework the night before.
Advanced students may take a college course or choose from among several advanced placement classes. The school offers visual arts classes for all grades, these include drawing and painting, art history, and a 3-Dimensional design course, in which children explore a variety of sculpture using plaster, clay, paper, and other materials. A handful of theater and music performances take place during the year as well, according to the Arts in Schools report.
Children must do three community service projects a year, either in school or in the community. These projects help children feel more connected to the school community, according to the comprehensive educational plan and must reflect the school’s core values. Uniforms are mandatory.
Principal Jonathan Daly took the helm of the Eximius in 2011 when the school had a reputation for fights and disorganization. Under his leadership, satisfaction, safety and order have improved. The suspension rate is at about the citywide average.
Daly was formerly assistant principal at Pelham Preparatory Academy. He has taught special education and science. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Concordia College, two masters degrees (education, leadership) from Mercy College and St. Rose College, and a doctorate in leadership from Concordia.
Eximius was featured on PBS for outperforming similar schools with low-income populations in college enrollment. At least twelve students earned partial or full scholarships to New York University, according to the documentary. (Lydie Raschka, web reports, October 2018)
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School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Teachers’ Race/Ethnicity
Advanced Courses
Calculus
Computer Science
Physics
Not offered in 2019-20Advanced Foreign Language
AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science
AP/IB Math or Science
Not offered in 2019-20Music
Not offered in 2019-20College Readiness
Programs & Admissions
From the 2021 High School DirectoryEximius College Preparatory Academy: A College Board School
Offerings
From the 2021 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Spanish
Advanced Placement (AP) courses
AP United States History, AP Microeconomics, AP English Language and Composition, AP World History: Modern, AP Spanish Literature and Culture
Boys PSAL teams
Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Soccer
Girls PSAL teams
Badminton, Basketball, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball
Coed PSAL teams
Stunt
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
1363 Fulton Avenue
Bronx
NY
10456
Trains: N/A
Buses: Bx11, Bx15, Bx17, Bx21, Bx35, Bx41, Bx41-SBS
Contact
Other Details
This school shares a building with the Bronx Center for Science and Mathematics
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