Bronx High School for Law and Community Service

500 East Fordham RD
Bronx, NY 10458
https://bronxlawhs.weebly.com/

Bronx High School for Law and Community Service is a learning community comprised of 420 students, 50 staff members, and countless extended family members. Our student population's ethnic origins are 60% Latino, 38% Black, and 1% Asian and African. 89% of our students qualify for free or reduced lunch, 23% of our students receive special education services, and 20% of our students are English language learners. During the past four years, the students, staff, and parents of Bronx High School for Law and Community Service have worked to increase its graduation rate from 47% (August 2010) to 74% (June 2014). By June of 2010, the school was in danger of being closed. With a "D" on the school's NYCDOE Progress Report and a four-year graduation rate of 47%, the school was in need of intervention. In August 2010, Principal Barakat and two new assistant principals began the work of improving the school, later adding a third assistant principal to specifically address matters pertaining to English Language Learners. Our school is now an environment that fosters an inclusive culture and supports progress toward professional, academic, and social-emotional learning goals. The four-year graduation rate has increased by 57% since 2010, the school's grade on the Department of Education progress report rose from a "D" to a "B," and students have a myriad of opportunities. Students feel safe and teachers say the school is orderly, according to the NYCODE Learning Environment Survey. Attendance is rising and more students are on track to graduate than ever before. Students may study the criminal justice system and volunteer in their community. The school offers classes in forensics, criminal justice, constitutional law, and law enforcement. There is also courtroom within the school to conduct mock trials. Teachers work hard to engage the students in interesting class discussions. We engage students academically and culturally via ongoing programs including: Community Service, Women of Strength, Men of Strength, JROTC, lunch and after-school tutoring, and Saturday enrichment and remediation programs. Additionally, all students are invited to meet with the principal for lunch, weekly, to address concerns and share ideas to improve our school. We foster a climate of success by tying rewards and privileges to scholastic achievement, attendance, behavior, and perseverance. Teachers, parents, and administrators monitor students' progress via our online community, Skedula; and decisions are made in collaboration with individual students during numerous regularly-scheduled appointments with guidance counselors throughout the year. Students may take part in sports teams with other schools in the Theodore Roosevelt Educational Campus, which has two gyms, swimming pools, and a weight room. Our school fosters strategic partnerships with community based and professional organizations to enrich the educational experiences of both students and staff and supporting our ongoing cultural shift. • School Leaders Network â€" Professional development sessions for the principal and leadership team throughout the year • New Visions for Public Schools â€" Professional development focusing on Danielson Framework, CCLS, , and data analysis • iMentor - a school-based mentoring program that empowers high school students in low-income communities to graduate high school, succeed in college, and achieve their ambitions. We partnered with this program this year and are working towards the second phase of participation in the next year and have committed to working with the program for the next three to four years. Students will work with their mentors one-on-one, in-person and online, to develop strong personal relationships, nurture a college aspiration, navigate the college application process, and build critical skills that lead to college success. • Lincoln Center Institute â€" Push-in sessions in Grade 11 and 12 ELA classes with teaching artists and guest performers; professional development for ELA teachers • Justice Resource Center â€" Professional development for social studies teachers; work-based learning programs for Grade 11 and 12 students • Hogan Lovells Law Firm - Provides students with ongoing mock trial/moot court coaching at the firm's Manhattan offices • Generation Citizen - Non-for-profit organization that brings college students together with high school students over the course of a twice-weekly semester-long in-class program wherein students learn to map their community's assets and challenges, develop a focused, strategic plan to address an issue they care about, and then take real action on it. Student projects are presented at an annual civics day and judged by a panel of public figures. • NY Cares â€" Comprehensive community service program including classroom push-in and professional development • Capital One Bank Internship Program - Work-based learning program that allows selected student to gain experience in the school-based Capital One bank and offers ongoing academic and employment support for students after graduation Our mission is to support self-motivation, intellectual curiosity, and integrity. Graduates successfully achieve their goals in college, career, and beyond.

Grants

2024 Academic Readiness/Post Secondary Success Grant | $55,000
Toward the support of their college and career access, mentorship, leadership, SAT preparation, and after-school programing.

2023 Academic Readiness/Post Secondary Success Grant | $55,000
Toward the support of their college and career access, mentorship, leadership, SAT preparation, and after-school programing.

2022 Academic Readiness/Post Secondary Success Grant | $55,000
Toward the support of their college access, mentorship, social-emotional, and after school programing.