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English Language Learners and International Support Preparatory Academy (ELLIS)

English Language Learners and International Support Preparatory Academy (ELLIS)

Grades: 9-12
Noteworthy

Our Insights

What’s Special

Strong support for new immigrants over age 16 who are learning English

The Downside

Not many sports options when students turn 18

Founded in 2008, the English Language Learners and International Support Preparatory Academy (ELLIS) is part of the Internationals Network for Public Schools, an organization with long experience in preparing new immigrants for college. ELLIS serves immigrant students aged 16 and older, welcoming learners from over 20 countries who are learning English. These students bring a wide range of educational backgrounds, from little formal schooling to students who are close to graduation.

Teachers do a good job of helping students catch up on credits, according to city data. Lessons incorporate a mix of group and individual work and many are hands-on and interactive. For example, in physics younger students build and test model cars, while older students engage in debates through Socratic seminars. In advanced biology, students perform mock autopsies to learn about body systems.

ELLIS has a longer school year (September to July) and trimester schedule that helps students earn credits faster. Students must pass only two Regents exams, in English and math. Students write essays, research papers, lab reports, and math problem-solving reports to demonstrate their understanding across core subjects. They present their work orally. Freshmen also write a paper about their English learning experience, first in their native language and then translated into English.

Third-year students can apply for an international trip, with 30 spots available. This trip, tied to their global curriculum, has included destinations like Italy and France.

The high school fosters a strong college-going culture. Recent graduates have been accepted to SUNY University at Buffalo, CUNY Hunter College, SUNY Oneonta, the University of Albany, and more selective schools like Skidmore College and Barnard College. Students can also earn certifications in fields like carpentry, electrical work, and tech (Google, Microsoft, Java). 

The Mission Society offers weekly counseling and emotional health referrals. They place students in internships with organizations like Power Academy, So-Bro, Grow NY, Microsoft, architectural and accounting firms, veterinary clinics and more. They also provide college counseling, attendance support, and organize events like art therapy, movie nights, and karaoke to keep teens engaged.

The adult-to-student ratio at ELLIS is 1:7, ensuring close supervision by teachers, counselors, and social workers. According to the NYC School Survey, students feel safe at the school and teachers very highly recommend it to families.

ELLIS is housed in the large Kennedy Educational Complex with six other schools. PSAL sports are available for all students, but once they age-out at 18, options are limited. Occasionally, a teacher organizes weekend soccer games. (Lydie Raschka, web reports and interview, July 2024) 

 

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School Stats

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

Academics

School
Citywide
Transfer school graduation rate
 
64%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school offers enough activities and services for their children's needs?
 
0%
How many parents of students with disabilities say this school works to achieve the goals of their students' IEPs?
 
0%
From the 2022-23 School Quality Guide and 2022-23 NYC School Survey

Students

242
Number of students
Citywide Average is 615

Race/Ethnicity


School
Citywide
Low-income students
 
95%
Students with disabilities
 
1%
Multilingual learners
 
92%
From the 2022-23 Demographic Snapshot

Safety & Vibe

School
Citywide
How many students were suspended?
 
0%
How many students say they feel safe in the hallways, bathrooms and locker rooms?
 
85%
How many students think bullying happens most or all of the time at this school?
 
28%
How many students say that some are bullied at their school because of their gender or sexual orientation?
 
23%
How many teachers say they would recommend this school to other families?
 
100%
From the 2022-23 NYC School Survey and 2019-20 NY State Report Card

Faculty & Staff

School
Citywide
How many teachers say the principal is an effective manager?
 
82%
15.2
Years of principal experience at this school
Citywide Average is 7
134
Number of students for each guidance counselor or social worker
Citywide Average is 191
How many teachers have 3 or more years of experience teaching?
 
100%
Are teachers effective?
From the 2022-23 NYC School Survey, 2022-23 School Quality Guide, 2021-22 Report on School-Based Staff Demographics, 2023 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 2021-21

Computer Science

 
25%

Physics

 
14%

Advanced Foreign Language

Not offered in 2021-21

AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science

Not offered in 2021-21

AP/IB Math or Science

Not offered in 2021-21

Music

Not offered in 2021-21
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?
 
11%
From the 2020-21 and 2022-23 School Quality Guide
Visit Understanding FAFSA for help with the FAFSA and financial aid.
For more information about our data sources, see About Our Data · More DOE statistics for this school

Contact & Location

Location

99 Terrace View Avenue
Bronx NY 10463

Trains: 1 Line to Marble Hill-225th St

Buses: Bx1, Bx10, Bx2, Bx20, Bx7, Bx9, M100


Contact

Principal: Norma Vega

Parent Coordinator: Omar Lopez

Phone: 718-220-1889

Website

Other Details

Shared campus? Yes

This school shares the John F. Kennedy Educational Campus with six other schools

Uniforms required? No
Metal detectors? Yes

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