Urban Assembly Bronx Academy of Letters
About the iMentor Partnership
The Urban Assembly Bronx Academy of Letters is now in its fourth year of partnership with iMentor. Bronx Academy of Letters was a pilot school for iMentor’s three-year College Success program. Through this partnership, the school and iMentor work together to address a common concern with the growing number of high school graduates who are accepted into college, but who do not complete--and in some cases do not start--their college degree. Mentors in this College Success program will provide support mentees for three full years, including the first year of college, in order to help to lower that attrition rate. This is a unique opportunity to mentor a student through their last two years of high school and in their critical first year of college using the iMentor Core Curriculum.
The class of 2011 is now in their third year of their match, continuing to work with their mentors to successfully transition from high school and complete their first year of college. Current seniors (class of 2012) are entering into the second year of a three-year relationship with their mentors. The iMentor sessions take place once a week during their College Readiness class where the students are currently working toward the successful completion of the college application process.
iMentor has become an integral part of the school culture at Bronx Academy of Letters, with students and staff alike welcome the curriculum, mentors, and staff into their school.iMentor is lucky to have many advocates on the staff of the school. Anna Hall, the principal, and Matthew Pilarski, an assistant principal, are enthusiastic supporters of the program. The school’s participation is funded through iMentor’s partnership with the Robin Hood Foundation.
Travel Directions
From 6 train to 3rd Avenue/138th Street: Come up on the SE corner of 138th Street and 3rd Avenue. Cross 3rd Avenue, then cross 138th and continue walking north. 3rd and Morris Avenues split off at this point. Walking on Morris, pass a long green factory, then the Western Beef supermarket. The school is the white building on the corner of East 140th Street and Morris Avenue.
From 4/5 train to 138th/Grand Concourse: Come up on the NE corner of 138th Street and Grand Concourse. Walk three blocks east on 138th, then turn left at 3rd Avenue. 3rd and Morris Avenues split off at this point. Walking on Morris, pass a long green factory, then the Western Beef supermarket. The school is the white building on the corner of East 140th Street and Morris Avenue.
From 2 train to 149th/Grand Concourse: Take train to 149th Street/Grand Concourse. Walk east on 149th Street to Morris Avenue. Turn right on Morris and walk nine blocks south.
Driving from points north: Take I-95 south to I-278/Bruckner Expressway West, toward the Triboro Bridge. At Exit 47, merge onto I-87/Major Deegan Expressway North toward Third Avenue Bridge/Albany. Take Exit 2 toward Willis Avenue/Third Avenue Bridge. Stay straight to go onto East 135th Street. Turn right onto Lincoln Avenue. Lincoln Avenue becomes Morris Avenue at East 138th Street. Pass a long green factory, then the Western Beef supermarket. The school is the white building on the corner of East 140th Street and Morris Avenue.
Driving from points south: Take the FDR Drive north to Exit 18, Willis Avenue Bridge. Go over the bridge, then turn left onto East 135th Street. Turn right onto Lincoln Avenue. Lincoln Avenue becomes Morris Avenue at East 138th Street. Pass a long green factory, then the Western Beef supermarket. The school is the white building on the corner of East 140th Street and Morris Avenue.
About Urban Assembly Bronx Academy of Letters
BAL was founded in 2003 as a high school, under the umbrella of the Urban Assembly network of schools. BAL now serves students in grades 6 through 12. The school is a college-preparatory school with an intense focus on writing and reading skills. Students can take honors and AP courses, master-level arts electives, externships, and independent study courses.
The Bronx Academy of Letters is founded on the belief that students who can express themselves clearly in writing can do better in any path they choose in life. Students achieve mastery of the word in the context of a rigorous, college-preparatory environment that celebrates vision, expression, tenacity, inquiry, integrity, and compassion.
BAL aims for all graduates of to be articulate, critical readers and writers. They will be visionaries, knowing how to work hard and how to work with others. They will be curious, capable problem solvers, ready to serve their communities with integrity. They will be prepared to maximize their learning and growth during their college years, which serve as a gateway to so much future opportunity and success.
Fun Facts
- BAL’s mascot is the raven, after the eponymous Edgar Allen Poe poem.
- Approximately 65% of BAL students are female.
- BAL carries over a 75% four-year graduation rate.
- BAL has myriad afterschool options for students, including drama and athletics, which many iMentor participants are engaged in.
- All students are offered the opportunity and financial support to travel overseas at least once during their high school experience. Current students have had the opportunity to visit countries including Costa Rica, England, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and Thailand.
