named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Ethnic Studies Language and Literature
Curriculum that integrates literacy with critical consciousness, centering the voices of Black, Indigenous, and women and gender-expansive people of color to promote engagement and sociopolitical activism.
Go Grow Electives
Student-driven electives in areas such as coding, debate, baking, DJ-ing, and student government, allowing exploration of interests and leadership development in junior and senior years.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme
Two-year IB curriculum offered to all juniors and seniors, emphasizing critical thinking, global perspectives, and college readiness, with opportunities to earn college credit.
Leadership Academy
Four-year advisory program providing mentorship, college readiness, financial literacy, and service learning, with small groups led by a dedicated mentor teacher throughout high school.
Postsecondary Success Program
Support system for alumni that includes year-round advising, college transition support, and community connection to increase college persistence and graduation rates.
STEAM Program
Four-year curriculum in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics with inquiry-based pathways in Engineering, Biomedical Science, and Graphic Design, supported by partnerships with Wacom and Makerbot.
Wellness Program
Hybrid curriculum addressing mental, physical, and emotional health through classroom discussions and activities like yoga, meditation, self-defense, and lessons on healthy relationships and decision-making.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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College Preparatory Secondary Education 1 activity
- Deliver a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with International Baccalaureate (IB) programProvides a rigorous college preparatory curriculum to young women, including full participation in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, making it the only school in Bedford-Stuyvesant offering IB to all students and one of two all-girls IB schools in the U.S. Students have achieved a 100% college acceptance rate, with 98% accepted to four-year colleges.
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College Access and Success Support 1 activity
- Deliver college and career readiness instructionTeaches financial literacy, job interview skills, and college admissions preparation through weekly college readiness classes to prepare students for postsecondary success.
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Student-Led Community Service Programs 1 activity
- Engage students in community service and leadership developmentEngages students in conducting community needs assessments and participating in group community service projects through the Leadership Academy, integrating service learning into the school experience.
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Educational Technology Access and Support 1 activity
- Ensure technology access through 1:1 laptop programProvides one MacAir laptop to every student to support technology access and collaborative learning in flexible classroom environments.
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Offer student-led leadership and interest-based electivesOffers elective courses called Go Grow that allow students to explore personal interests and develop leadership skills, with juniors and seniors serving as facilitators for younger peers.
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Youth One-on-One Mentoring 1 activity
- Operate a four-year advisory and mentorship programRuns a daily, four-year advisory program pairing small groups of up to 12 students with a mentor teacher throughout high school to support academic, social, and emotional development.
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Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
- Provide STEAM-based career pathways and hands-on learningOffers three inquiry-based STEAM pathways in Engineering, Biomedical Science, and Graphic Design that include hands-on learning in biotechnology, 3D printing, robotics, and graphic design, integrated into the high school curriculum.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$5.02M
Contributions & grants$5.01M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$4K0%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$5.31M
Program expenses84%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$4.13M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.27M
Cash$662K
Investments$1.07M
Liabilities$367K
Net assets$1.90M
Liquid reserves3.9 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +1.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 7
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NICIA FULLWOOD | HEAD OF SCHOOL | 40 | $229K |
| SHANNON RILEY | CHIEF OF STAFF | 40 | $173K |
| MEREDITH LOOP | ETHNIC STUDIES TEACHER | 40 | $144K |
| NICOLE L DAVIS | DEAN OF OPERATIONS | 40 | $129K |
| NATALIE A FROMAN | ETHICS STUDIES TEACHER | 40 | $121K |
| CATHERINE T MAGESIS | DIR. OF COLLEGE SUCCESS | 40 | $119K |
| THERESA A RAU | MATH TEACHER | 40 | $118K |
board members · 10
- ALMA MENDS — BOARD TRUSTEE
- BRENDA CANTY — VICE CHAIR
- CHRISTINA SOCIAS — BOARD TRUSTEE
- DEBORAH HALL — BOARD TRUSTEE
- DIANE NATHANIAL — BOARD CHAIR
- DR ANDRE MCKENZIE — BOARD TRUSTEE
- IYMAANI AYTES — BOARD TRUSTEE
- JONATHAN DILL — BOARD TRUSTEE
- MELLANIE GARNER — BOARD TRUSTEE
- MICHAEL LACKWOOD — TREASURER
relationships · 4
Who they work with
- Children’s Aid Society Carrera Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program Partner — Co-founders developed their vision through prior work at this program, indicating a professional and experiential connection that informed BELA's founding model.
- International Baccalaureate Network — Member of the International Baccalaureate program, offering the IB curriculum to all students.
- Makerbot Partner — Partnership ensures leading-edge, academically rigorous STEAM instruction.
- Wacom Partner — Partnership ensures leading-edge, academically rigorous STEAM instruction.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Rooted School Modelmethodology: community_school_modelBy embedding the school in the local history and culture of Bedford-Stuyvesant and prioritizing family and neighborhood engagement, the organization strengthens student support networks because community integration enhances trust, continuity, and cultural relevance in education.
- Leadership-Integrated College Preparation with Service Learningmethodology: leadership-integrated-college-prepBy combining rigorous college-preparatory academics with leadership development and service learning, the organization builds resilience and agency in young women because real-world application and civic engagement deepen motivation and long-term success.
- Student-Centered, Co-Created Learning Environmentmethodology: student_centered_cocreationBy centering student voice and co-creating the learning environment with students, the organization fosters ownership, belonging, and active contribution because participatory design increases relevance, motivation, and community accountability.
- Whole-Girl, Culturally Affirming Education Modelmethodology: whole_girl_educationBy integrating intellectual, social, and emotional development within a culturally affirming curriculum, the organization empowers young women of color to achieve their full potential because identity validation and holistic support increase engagement, resilience, and academic success.