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Our Insights

What’s Special

Everyone studies computer science; supportive environment

The Downside

Uneven gender ratio

The Bronx Academy for Software Engineering (BASE) is a high school that delivers on its name. Students learn computer programming and study topics such as cybersecurity and data design while also taking a full load of academic classes. Many students participate in tech-related internships at businesses and local organizations.

Students study computer science for at least 3 years: All 9th-graders take an introductory course on basic coding and web-based design. In 10th grade, students study coding languages such as Python and Java. In 11th grade, students may choose among courses including  Advanced Placement Computer Science, cybersecurity or UX/UI (user experience/user interface) principles. In 12th grade students may take a class in data design.  

Real world, collaborative learning: Students work together on projects that involve real-world analysis and problem solving. For example, in geometry, students study the mathematical principles of redlining, which is the discriminatory practice of mapping out neighborhoods that exclude Black and other minority families. In Advanced Placement English, students read the play “Waiting for Godot”. At the same time they study commentaries that analyze the historical contexts in which versions of the play were presented, such as post-war Sarejevo and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The project culminates with students performing scenes from the play.

A lot of support for students: Each teacher serves as an advisor to a small group of students. Together, they meet regularly to discuss students’ social and learning growth and for college guidance. Each student is matched with a mentor from tech or related industries. Students develop relationships with their mentors through email correspondence and in-person events at the school.

Transformative Justice: BASE embraces a program they call “transformative justice” (TJ). TJ encourages students to take political action to solve community problems and to resolve conflicts with fellow students through discussion, reflection, and corrective action. Older students mentor freshmen and serve as peer mediators. TJ also informs class lessons. For instance, to learn how to advocate for better laws, students study New York State’s system of government and then perform a mock legislative session with some role-playing as constituents and others as legislators.

Family outreach is a priority: A team of teachers conducts regular outreach to all BASE families. They call and email parents and guardians to check in and make sure families know that the school is a resource for them too.

BASE wants more girls to apply: The school is predominantly male, though the uneven enrollment reflects similar trends in the male-dominated technology industry. BASE wants to change this. In addition to focusing recruitment efforts on female-identifying students, once enrolled, BASE matches them with female mentors and offers some female-only events, trips, and activities.

Some questions to ask on a tour

What are the range of advanced and college-level classes offered? Is there enough room in these classes for all students who want to take them?

How does the school help students with disabilities and those learning English in their classes and to graduate on time? Ask for details.

What is "action-based” grading and how does it help students? Ask for examples of BASE's grading systerm, where instead of getting traditional number or letter grades on tests and assignments, students get feedback from their teachers on how well they are progressing on skills they are expected to learn. (Laura Zingmond, interview and web reports, August 2022)

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School Stats

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

Academics

School
Citywide
How many students graduate in 4 years?
 
88%
How many students with disabilities graduate in 4 years?
 
69%
How many English language learners graduate in 4 years?
 
55%
Average daily attendance
 
76%
How many students miss 18 or more days of school?
 
69%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school offers enough activities and services for their children's needs?
 
100%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school works to achieve the goals of their students' IEPs?
 
100%
From the 2021-22 School Quality Guide and 2020-21 NYC School Survey

Students

385
Number of students
Citywide Average is 599

Race/Ethnicity


School
Citywide
Low-income students
 
85%
Students with disabilities
 
30%
Multilingual learners
 
9%
From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Safety & Vibe

School
Citywide
How many students were suspended?
 
1%
How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
 
80%
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
 
40%
How many students say that some are bullied at their school because of their gender or sexual orientation?
 
32%
From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey and 2019-20 NY State Report Card

Faculty & Staff

School
Citywide
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
 
87%
9.2
Years of principal experience at this school
Citywide Average is 7
75
Number of students for each guidance counselor or social worker
Citywide Average is 157

Teachers’ Race/Ethnicity


How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
 
88%
Are teachers effective?
From the 2020-21 NYC School Survey, 2021-22 School Quality Guide, 2019-20 Report on School-Based Staff Demographics, 2021 Guidance Counselor Report, and this school's most recent Quality Review Report

Advanced Courses

Which students have access to advanced courses at this school? Learn more

Calculus

Not offered in 2019-20

Computer Science

 
98%

Physics

Not offered in 2019-20

Advanced Foreign Language

Not offered in 2019-20

AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science

 
16%

AP/IB Math or Science

 
10%

Music

Not offered in 2019-20
From unpublished, anonymized data from the 2021-22 school year provided by the New York State Education Department, brought to you by

College Readiness

School
Citywide
How many students graduate with test scores high enough to enroll at CUNY without remedial help?
 
36%
How many students take a college-level course or earn a professional certificate?
 
69%
How many students who have graduated from this high school stay in college for at least 3 semesters?
 
75%
From the 2020-21 and 2021-22 School Quality Guide
How many students filled out a FAFSA form by the end of their senior year?
 
98%
From the 2022-23 FAFSA data released by Federal Student Aid, brought you by
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 for Software Engineering (BASE) (X18A)

Admissions Method: Ed. Opt.

Program Description:

All BASE students take four years of computer science, learning programming languages like HTML5, Javascript, and Java. Students use Design Thinking, a human-centered problem-solving approach to solve real-world problems. Seniors do a capstone project where they use skills from across disciplines to address a problem in their community. BASE students participate in citywide hackathons sponsored by groups like Code/Interactive and Forbes, and have had internships at SCENYC, Alvin Ailey, and Gilt.

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Language Courses

Spanish

Advanced Courses

Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Computer Science A, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Statistics, AP United States History, Chemistry (Advanced Science), World Languages (Advanced World Languages)

Boys PSAL teams

Baseball, Basketball

Girls PSAL teams

Softball, Volleyball

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

NYC Department of Education: MySchools

Contact & Location

Location

2474 Crotona Avenue
Bronx NY 10458

Buses: Bx12, Bx12-SBS, Bx15, Bx17, Bx19, Bx22, Bx9


Contact

Principal: Benjamin Grossman

Parent Coordinator: Morayma Concepcion Bosq

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? Yes

This school shares the Grace Dodge Educational Campus with two other schools

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? Yes

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