Along with thousand of students all over the globe, I graduated from high school this past week. But I didn’t just graduate from any mediocre high school. I am a high school graduate from Bedford Academy in Brooklyn, N.Y. This jewel of a school is known to be one of the most academic and college-preparedness focused schools in Brooklyn. It was even ranked 72nd as one of the best schools in the top high schools in the whole state. The high schoolers who attend are mostly African-American and Latino students who live in Brooklyn.
Bedford Academy wants to bring out the full academic potential of all its students, and under Principal Adofo Abdullah Muhammad, prepare them from day one to be college-bound. The school has roughly 400 students currently attending. In its academically solid 10 years, although the stats have always been impressive, my class is the first to have a 100 percent graduation rate.
I remember when I was a freshman and the vice principal at the time, Cluny Lavache, told us, “We have never had a 100 percent of graduates graduating, and we hope this class will be the first to break the record.” I also remember being required to attend a summer-long program during my freshmen year. Current students mentored us and told us, “This school isn’t easy. You will receive massive amounts of homework and be expected to finish it on time. Although this can become stressful, this is a good practice for college.”
When we studied for Regent exams, we were required to attend school Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and we actually learned a lot. Our parents prepared lunch and dinner, got snacks and volunteered. It is such a great family atmosphere. We give special thanks to Pamela Tate-McMullen, our parent coordinator, and Steve Burell, our guidance counselor—and all the really great teachers who showed us what true dedication to students should be throughout the New York City public school system. We say thank you to all of them.
Now that I have spent four years here, I am glad that Bedford Academy has trained us the way that they have. There aren’t many schools for African-Americans that care as much as Bedford does. And I’m glad that this school is going against the stereotypical statements about us not being successful and college-bound. “I feel successful and proud,” said graduating senior Nyasia Burris. “I feel as if I am giving back to all those who had pushed so hard for my academic success, my family and friends and school.”
“What we have here is Black excellence to the highest order—all stereotypical images are now destroyed,” said Muhammad. “Ninety-five percent of these young geniuses are going to college. They will be making great contributions to our world as they move through it—strong, bold and grounded in a strong educational tradition.”