21 schools are set to open in The Bronx in the fall. Each school is going to vary in curriculum, ranging from hospitality to entertainment. Click below to read the full story.
One will give every student an e-reader. Another will allow students to run an entertainment company. And yet another will train students in the fast-growing tourism industry.
There are 12 district schools and nine charter schools opening in the Bronx in September, each offering a different emphasis and structure.
They also serve as clean slates, as several schools in the borough are closing, phasing out and turning around, leaving parents and students anxious.
To fill the void left by three career and technical schools closing in the Bronx, the School for Tourism and Hospitality is opening in the Jane Addams campus.
Incoming students have the chance to earn front desk supervisor certifications from the American Hotel & Lodging Institute, said principal David Martin.
“After doing research, (my team and I) realized that tourism and hospitality salaries in the industry will increase by 16% by 2014, which is more than any other industry combined,†said Martin, a former teacher who holds an MBA in international business. “We will have incredible partnerships that really allow students not only to experience the industry deeply, but move them beyond high school to post-secondary learning.â€
Another district school is the Bronx Compass High School, which encourages students to run “BX Dragon Entertainment.â€
According to its description, “Whether you are an aspiring entertainer or you plan to be a doctor someday, you will enjoy working with your classmates as a singer/director/DJ/photographer.â€
Other schools will target high-needs students, like the Children’s Aid College Prep Charter School and ROADS Charter School II, both in Morrisania. The first, run by the Children’s Aid Society, will serve about 300 students from single-parent households or on welfare in kindergarten through fifth grade. ROADS will accept students ages 15 to 17 who are undercredited.
Other charters include two additional New Visions schools, one for math and science and one for humanities.
Another, Tech International Charter School, will be housed in the same building as a failed charter school that closed after just eight months.
Co-founder Adjowah Scott said residents were concerned this school might fail as well, but partner Steve Bergen is confident.
“We’ve gotten much more community support in the last five months,†he said.
