Jamaica, Queens — New York City’s first high school built around the culture and legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities opened its doors this month in Southeast Queens. HBCU Early College Prep High School welcomed its inaugural class of ninth graders after drawing more than 1,000 applications for just 100 seats.
The new school, launched in partnership with Delaware State University, allows students to take a full high school curriculum while earning up to 64 college credits before graduation. By junior year, students will begin online courses taught by DSU professors, graduating with both a diploma and the equivalent of an associate degree.
Mayor Eric Adams, who attended the ribbon-cutting, called the school a milestone for the city’s public education system. “We are ringing in the school year with more investments to prepare our students for bold futures,” Adams said. “Today, we are opening seven new public schools across the five boroughs, including the first HBCU Early College Prep High School … offering schools that honor our students’ rich backgrounds and histories and meet local needs, provide rigorous instruction, and prepare all of our students for the future.”
Adams also spoke directly to the students seated in the auditorium. “We need an HBCU to allow you to become who you want to become,” he said, urging them to seize the opportunity the new program represents.
The project is a collaboration between the city’s Department of Education and Delaware State University. DSU President Tony Allen described it as “an innovative partnership … to make higher education more attainable for many families and to prepare our students with the skills they need to succeed in today’s economy.”
Principal Dr. Asya Johnson, herself a graduate of DSU, said the school’s mission is both academic and cultural. “As a proud graduate of Delaware State University, I know firsthand the transformative power of an HBCU education,” she said. “To see that same legacy take root here in Southeast Queens through HBCU Early College Prep is an honor beyond words.”
Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos highlighted the trust families have placed in the city by applying in such numbers. “The first day of school is my favorite day of the year … the tremendous trust families across the city place in us with their most precious gifts – their children. That is why we are committed to delivering on our promise to provide world-class education that prepares every single student for success,” she said.
Beyond the academics, the school will introduce students to the traditions of HBCU life, from Homecoming to Greek life to student leadership rituals like the election of Mr. and Miss Freshman. For many families, it represents both a pathway to higher education and an early immersion in the cultural legacy of Black colleges.
The demand suggests the model could expand beyond Jamaica. For now, HBCU Early College Prep High School stands as a first-of-its-kind experiment in New York City, one that its founders hope will change the trajectory of hundreds of students each year.
Be First to Comment