Pharos Academy Charter School

Bronx Lighthouse Charter School (BLCS) offers a longer school day and 10 extra days of instruction per year. Teachers infuse art activities into all academic classes. Class size is small, averaging about 22 students, according to the school’s annual report. 

Data over several years shows that although children perform below grade level in the younger grades, many catch up in high school and go on to college and stay in college.  Special events include a science fair, musical performances and a 5th grade camping trip, in addition to music, art and technology classes. 

The suspension rate is high but the annual report says Bronx Lighthouse “believes in the use of a restorative approach to school culture and discipline.” Restorative practices focus on using alternatives to suspension, such as talking out problems. School surveys show children feel safe in school and teachers overwhelmingly recommend the school to other families. 

Founded in 2004, BLCS is the flagship school in a network of more than a dozen Lighthouse Academies in Arkansas, Indiana and New York. The schools are divided into small three small academies: Lower Academy (grades K – 4), Upper Academy (grades 5-8) and College Prep Academy (grades 9 – 12).

Admissions: By lottery.There are some seats for 9th graders. (Lydie Raschka, web reports, January 2019)