SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

The Bronx Academy of Letters’ vision and mission began after principal Joan Sullivan and Richard Kahan, president of the Urban Assembly, resolved to embark on a joint project. The Urban Assembly is a not-for-profit community-development organization that seeks to address a wide range of urban problems by bringing together community members, public- and private-sector professionals, and elected officials who share a common vision of a better future. In recent years, the Urban Assembly has turned to guiding the formation of innovative, theme-based public high schools in New York City. In 1997, it created the Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice; in 2002, it created the Academy for Careers in Sports; and in the fall of 2003, the Harbor School, in Bushwick, Brooklyn, opened its doors along with the Bronx Academy of Letters. Five more new Urban Assembly schools opened in September 2004 and 2005. Starting a new school is an emormous task, and all of these schools’ leaders are in frequent contact, creating a supportive, collaborative network that shares ideas and experiences for the benefit of all.

From the outset, the Urban Assembly has shared ownership in the design of the Bronx Academy of Letters. It has assisted in the development of the school’s philosophy and curriculum. It has recruited potential partners, set up meetings to discuss these partnerships, and introduced the planning team to educational experts. The planning team will be drawing on the experience of the Urban Assembly when it matches individual, neighborhood, and community-partner assets with school needs. As the school’s fiscal conduit and as a partner with tremendous experience with New Visions schools, the Urban Assembly will have a strong voice at all planning-team, advisory-board, and appropriations meetings. The Urban Assembly is devoted to making the Bronx Academy of Letters a success.