LEADERS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD CHARTER SCHOOL

Funds post-secondary education costs by awarding institutional, state, and federal scholarships and financial aid to graduating seniors—totaling $1 million annually—with additional semesterly grants to alumni through the College Persistence Fund to support college completion.

Conducts annual enrollment lotteries with an April 1 deadline, maintains waitlists for future school years, and supports student transitions through initiatives like kindergarten summer camp to prepare incoming students.

Offers more than 35 clubs and societies, athletics for grades 4–12 (including competitive basketball and championship-winning track and field), co-curricular activities, after-school programs (e.g., coding, fencing, gaming, LION Club), summer school, and enrichment programming focused on arts, STEM, and movement.

Operates a public, tuition-free K-12 college-preparatory charter school serving over 1,000 students and 700 families in the Hunts Point neighborhood of the South Bronx, with continuous educational services since 2006.

Runs a summer academic program for rising first- through ninth-grade students featuring focused math and literacy instruction based on the science of reading, hands-on enrichment in arts and STEM, citywide field trips, and end-of-program celebrations with book distributions to prevent summer learning loss.

Provides immersive visual and performing arts programs including an audition-based dance company for 3rd–5th graders training in multiple styles, participation in citywide parades and festivals, production of professionally filmed dance videos, and student performances at end-of-program celebrations.

Organizes immersive international travel experiences through the World Scholars program for over 70 students annually to countries including Cuba, France, Italy, and Costa Rica, combining academic enrichment with cultural exploration.

Delivers daily phonics instruction for K-2 students, project-based STEM curriculum for elementary students, RISE math and ELA literacy programs, and offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses and dual enrollment opportunities to ensure all high school students are college-ready. 100% of graduates have been college-ready and matriculated to college annually since 2013.

Offers comprehensive family engagement services including family meetings, retreats, student-led conferences, monthly workshops, urgent relief funding, printing, WiFi access via LION Cares Pop-ups, and community resource connections to promote stability and connection.

Runs leadership development programs including Leadership Lions, Student Council, multiple honor societies, AP Capstone Program, and School Meetings where students discuss community and global issues, celebrate achievements, and present work.

Provides inclusive educational services for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and multilingual learners, ensuring equitable access to the full academic and extracurricular offerings.

Monitors and celebrates alumni outcomes, including college graduation rates nearly three times the national average for low-income peers and bachelor’s degree completion at more than three times the rate of demographically similar students.