New York City is now home to the first HBCU preparatory high school in a major city. The school, which opened on Thursday, has been created in partnership with Delaware State University as part of its ongoing program to prepare students to enroll in college.
It’s the first HBCU public school in New York City
HBCU Early College Prep High School opened in Jamaica, Queens, and has welcomed 100 enrolled students. It received over 1,000 applicants, according to Dr. Asya Johnson, the school’s founding principal and an alum of Delaware State University, per ABC News. As part of the application process, students completed an essay solving a technology or health care issue in their community and recorded a video discussing how they would use their degree to help their community.
Enrolled students will take online college courses taught by Delaware State professors starting in the 11th grade. Not only will they earn up to 64 college credits for an associate’s degree in liberal arts from the university, but they are also guaranteed admission.
“We are thrilled to announce this innovative partnership with New York City Public Schools, which will not only prepare high school students for a college education, but give them a head start toward a bachelor’s degree while they’re still in high school,” President of Delaware State, Tony Allen, said in a press release.
“We know this approach can work because we’ve seen it work. Hundreds of students are already enrolled at our Early College School in Dover, completing work toward their college degrees,” he added. “This dual enrollment model can reduce the cost of college, make higher education more attainable for many families, and prepare our students with the skills they need to succeed in today’s economy. We’re ready to get started.”
Students will also experience activities reflecting the legacy of HBCUs, such as Greek life, Founder’s Day activities, Mr. and Miss freshman competitions and homecoming celebrations.
Celebrating to legacy and importance of HBCUs
There are no HBCUs north of Pennsylvania on the East Coast, according to ABC News. Still, they enroll about 10% of all Black U.S. undergraduates and help train the majority of Black doctors, lawyers and judges.
“It’s important because it doesn’t exist,” Johnson told ABC News. “We often don’t explain to students what exists beyond just our state or our local tri-state area. Why not expose students to that?”
“We want them to know that from the minute they walk into the doors, how much we love and care for them,” she added.
Allen highlighted the role that HBCUs have played in building the Black middle class throughout the history of the country.
“To be clear, the greatest indicator for a lower-resourced student from an underserved community to actually get into the middle class and change the economic trajectory for themselves, their families, and their communities is their attendance at an HBCU,” he said.
