Academy for College Preparation and Career Exploration: A College Board School

Since it opened in 2007 the Academy for College Preparation and Career Exploration, serving grades 6-12, has struggled to find its footing.

School leaders have tried a number of initiatives over the years and now have embarked on a series of interesting partnerships, including several designed to help their students amass college credits and an arts program with BRIC Arts Media. A number of programs, including one that focuses on science and technology, offer academic supports.

Despite such efforts, the school still lags on most measures of academic achievement. A large number of students are chronically absent, enrollment has declined and the school’s graduation rate is below the citywide average. Many teachers say they would not recommend the school to other families, based on responses to the NYC School Survey.  

The academy shares the building with another 6-12 school, the well-regarded Science, Technology and Research Early College High School, known as STAR, and three high schools, Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, High School for Service and Learning, and High School for Youth and Community Development. Sports teams, including a girls’ flag football squad and a co-ed stunt team, take students from all the schools

SPECIAL EDUCATION: College Prep offers some ICT (integrated co-teaching) classes. Students with special needs’ test scores and graduation rate fall below the citywide average.

ADMISSION: The middle school is open to all District 17 students. Both the middle and high school typically have room for all who apply. (Gail Robinson, web reports, December 2018)