Our Insights
What’s Special
Students study on the Brooklyn College campus
The Downside
Two different school locations; not many sports
Brooklyn College Academy is a small high school with a long history of preparing kids for college. In fact, it was one of the first schools in the city to allow students to take college courses on a college campus, combining two years of high school with two years of college.
In 9th grade, students take a pre-college class to gradually introduce them to the rigors of college work. One of the first college-credit-bearing courses is Introduction to Theater Arts, given in-house to 10th graders, along with other choices such as speech or music. By the time seniors are ready to graduate, they will have earned anywhere from six to 45 college credits along with their high school diploma. The wide range of college courses offered includes calculus, sociology, physiology, psychology, business and forensics.
Established in February 1986 by the New York City Board of Education in collaboration with the City University of New York, the Academy started as a middle and high school for teens at risk of dropping out. It has evolved into a screened high school for high achievers. Today, only roughly half of the students are from low-income families, says parent coordinator Suhadie Lajara-Rivas.
The Academy is housed at two locations and admits students from throughout Brooklyn who meet the criteria. The Lower and High School (grades 9-10) is located in a renovated warehouse at 350 Coney Island Ave. The Upper Institute (grades 11-12) is at Brooklyn College.
In addition to the perks of a college campus, the Academy has unique homegrown features, such as a mindfulness room with mood lighting and cushioned seats. Girls, who make up the majority of students, may join a mentoring program called SmHEARTGirls!. A respected and well-known world music ensemble is run by a passionate and innovative teacher. “It gives kids an outlet,” says Lajara-Rivas, because the school is “so academically driven.” Although the school does not offer much in the way of sports or clubs, teens may sing in a gospel choir, join student government, or play basketball or volleyball, she adds.
Longtime principal Nicholas Mazzarella is a respected and trusted leader. On school surveys, teachers report he has a clear vision, and most of them would recommend the school to other families.
Students at the Lower and High School annex wear a uniform, but 11th and 12th graders do not, allowing them to blend in more easily with the college students on campus. They share many of the privileges of college students, such as access to the college library, but they are not allowed to access the pool or anyplace college students must pay extra to use.
One downside of the annex location is its small auditorium/gym. However, the school has use of Prospect Park across the street in good weather, as well as a gym at Brooklyn College.
The school is noted for a small inclusion program for District 75 called PS 77 (there are four sites under this name), for high school students with autism. They take classes with Academy students and receive extra help with academics and social skills. On campus, 11th- and 12th-grade autistic students meet in advisory sessions and trade advice on how to deal with social situations. The school has a peer support program at the annex to help children become more engaged in classroom social activities.
The Academy is “very hands-on” with the college application process, says Lajara-Rivas. Most graduates go to college, although most do not attend Brooklyn College because they have already spent two years on that campus. Popular choices include City University of New York (CUNY) and State University of New York (SUNY) schools, in addition to top-tier schools like Harvard and Cornell. (Lydie Raschka, DOE data, interview, February 2018)
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School Stats
Academics
Students
Race/Ethnicity
Safety & Vibe
Faculty & Staff
Advanced Courses
Calculus
Computer Science
Not offered in 2021-21Physics
Not offered in 2021-21Advanced Foreign Language
Not offered in 2021-21AP/IB Arts, English, History or Social Science
AP/IB Math or Science
Music
College Readiness
Programs & Admissions
From the 2024 High School DirectoryBrooklyn College Academy (K84X)
Requirements:
- Average Course Grades - 50%
- School based assessment - 50%
Program Description:
Brooklyn College Academy High School is an Early College School that provides a challenging high school curriculum in addition to a rigorous college program at Brooklyn College. Brooklyn College Academy students receive a substantial head start when applying to college, by graduating with a minimum of 12 to 50 college credits. This opportunity is maximized by students spending their last two years of high school on Brooklyn College Campus where they enjoy an actual college experience. For more information about how to complete this program's application requirements, please visit Brooklyncollegeacademy.com
Offerings
From the 2024 High School DirectoryLanguage Courses
Spanish
Advanced Courses
Algebra II (Advanced Math), AP Biology, AP English Literature and Composition, AP United States Government and Politics, AP United States History, AP World History: Modern, Arts (College Course [Credited]), Biology (College Course [Credited]), Calculus (College Course [Credited]), Comp Sci/Math Tech (College Course [Credited]), Econ/Gov (College Course [Credited]), ELA (College Course [Credited]), ELA (College Course [Uncredited]), Math (College Course [Credited]), Math (College Course [Uncredited]), Other (College Course [Credited]), Science (College Course [Credited]), Science (College Course [Uncredited]), Social Studies (College Course [Credited]), World Languages (Advanced World Languages), World Languages (College Course [Credited])
Boys PSAL teams
Basketball
Girls PSAL teams
Basketball, Volleyball
Read about admissions, academics, and more at this school on NYCDOE’s MySchools
Contact & Location
Location
350 Coney Island Avenue
Brooklyn
NY
11218
Trains: , to Church Av; to Fort Hamilton Parkway
Buses: B103, B16, B35, B67, B68, B69, BM3, BM4
Contact
Other Details
This school is in its own building.
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