Media Coverage

August 8, 2005

In New York’s Smaller Schools, ‘Good Year and a Tough Year’

As the final chapter in the New York Times’ Learning Curve series, which explored the process of opening dozens of new small schools in New York City in 2005, this article sums up their overall progress and profiles several outstanding small schools – including Institute for Student Achievement partner school Bronx Lab. According to the Times, “Bronx Lab is one of a handful of small schools that officials at the Education Department headquarters regard as clear successes.” Attendance at Bronx Lab has averaged 92 percent since its inception. Bronx Lab Principal, Mark Sternberg, and teacher Kari Ostrem share the challenges they have experienced since the school’s opening, as well as the tremendous rewards involved. Bronx Lab is in the Evander Childs building, a place once plagued by violence and where even thinking about college was “almost absurd.” College is now a tangible goal for many of the school’s students. “Look at where my students would be right now if it were not for Bronx Lab,” Sternberg said.

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