North Bronx School of Empowerment

North Bronx School of Empowerment (formerly the FORWARD School of Creative Writing) was founded in 2005, one of three small schools that replaced the MS 113 that year. In 2017 North Bronx merged with Young Scholar’s Academy, more than doubling its size, keeping the North Bronx School of Empowerment name and its principal Magdalen Neyra. 

The school offers visual art and music during the school day, and dance, Step, drumming and sports in a free after school program run by New York Edge. Phipps Neighborhoods host workshops and celebrations for students and families, and provide social and academic support.  

The school faces challenges: attendance is poor and some students miss a month or more of school. Many teachers complain of a lack of discipline and order on school surveys. Suspensions are far above the citywide average in the most recently available data. 

North Bronx has been working to improve discipline and order, according to school’s annual plan (Comprehensive Educational Plan). Teachers use Restorative Practices to help teens learn to talk through conflicts before they escalate, as well as Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports, which can bring coherence to the school-wide approach to discipline.

Data shows test scores are moving in the right direction but the school has a long ways to go. The overwhelming majority of the students are performing below grade level. North Bronx works with the Middle School Quality Initiative, a program that research shows boosts reading skills. Students meet in reading clubs three times a week tailored to their individual reading levels. New York Edge also provides assistance with reading.

North Bronx School of Empowerment shares the Richard R. Green Middle School campus building with Leaders of Tomorrow.

Admissions: District 11. There has been room for everyone who applied in recent years. (Lydie Raschka, web reports, April 2019)