Who we are
NYU EXCEL Academy is dedicated to creating year-round critical literacy and college-access programming for youth from the South Bronx. We center educational equity by developing a holistic community of support to assist youth to become dynamic leaders in their academic journey and beyond. Together, we can imagine and achieve educational equity and opportunity for all.
Our projects
EXCEL Summer Programs
Every summer, NYU EXCEL Academy admits a new cohort into their summer program. The program is designed to empower students by giving them the skills, knowledge and access they need to apply for college. Through intensive in-class trainings, our aim is to develop their writing, communications and leadership skills.
Freedom Friday
On the last Friday of every month, we meet with students from our program to teach them practical strategies for college applications while giving them access to tools that will help them thrive.
Radical futures project
The Radical Futures Project challenges students to work critically around a social justice issue they are passionate about. They are guided through writing a rigorous research essay, alongside professional presentation of their work through round table discussion panels, and creative expressions.
Beyond EXCEL
Each year EXCEL Scholars engage broad audiences at the University and school level to bring about awareness and address social justice issues facing youth and families in the South Bronx. Some events include:
- Students collaborate with Critically Conscious Educators action group in collaboration NYCDOE’s Expanded Success Initiative and the Center for Strategic Solutions to present at the annual Decolonizing Education Conference.
- The annual G.E.A.R. UP, a Gender Equity Conference, grew out of two students research projects address issues of relationship, gender and sexual health. For the past four years, youth organizers educate their peers and create spaces to address issues they see in their school environment.
- The Food Pantry at Fannie Lou Hamer grew out of a student’s vision to feed her classmates. She leveraged her Food Justice research project into a pitch that helped her receive funding to open a food pantry to address hunger throughout the school and within the community.
Testimonials
Voices of our Students
Hear from students in our current cohort from Fannie Lou Hamer High School in the South Bronx.
Take Action
Our partners and supporters share our vision of creating a world where every child has access to quality education. From sponsoring in-class training to helping our youth navigate their college applications, they work with us to make the journey easier. We’re so grateful to them for investing in a fairer future.
Our Partners
- NYU for Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools
- Teagle Foundation
- Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School
- Children’s Aid
- DYCD Youth Employment Program
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