Our School
Essex Street Academy is a New York City public school, located in the Lower East Side of New York, dedicated to holistically educating students through project-based learning. Our population reflects the diversity of the city, as well as its resources and challenges. To respond to the needs of our students, a majority of whom qualify for free or reduced lunch by federal poverty guidelines, our school offers the following unique components:
· An average class size of 20 students
· A comprehensive after school program where teachers volunteer after school until 5:30 pm
A Big-sibs program for both girls and boys
· Required four year coursework of all subject areas, including the arts
· Two full-time college advisors and a college bound curriculum throughout the four grades
The results are phenomenal.
The school has been able to secure an 85% graduation rate for its students and 98% college acceptance rate. 70% of our students go on to pursue bachelors’ degrees and 30% pursue associates degrees. All these numbers are well above the city and national averages for students of color as well as the general population. Unfortunately, city budget cuts have forced the school to increasingly look to private fundraising in order to support its travel, afterschool, Saturday School, alumni outreach and college programs.
Wallace Simpson, Principal Nick Tapino, Assistant Principal
