State Senator Gustavo Rivera Introduces Bill to Study the Eagle Academy’s Educational Model

Gustavo Rivera

May 20, 2015

Education

State Legislature Recognizes Eagle Academy’s Success in the State’s Educational System and Seeks to Explore How to Leverage its Model Statewide

(Albany, NY) - State Senator Gustavo Rivera announced the introduction of a bill in the State Senate that would evaluate the Eagle Academy's educational model to develop a similar system for public schools that serve minority students in undeserved communities. The announcement comes as the New York State Senate and Assembly recognizes the Eagle Academy for its commitment to providing inner city young men with a well-rounded education that enables them to excel academically.

"The Eagle Academy has successfully developed an educational model that directly addresses many of the challenges, both social and academic, minority children in inner city schools face," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. "This bill will provide a framework on how our state can leverage the Eagle Academy's success to help children in our public schools who have traditionally struggled to succeed academically, while improving graduation rates across New York State. When it comes to education, we have a responsibility to ensure we are addressing the educational needs of all children."

The Eagle Academy for Young Men is a system of six schools for grades six through 12 that was created by the One Hundred Black Men of America to provide young men in high-crime neighborhoods a well-rounded and quality education. The Eagle model has been successful at educating young Hispanic and African-American boys, achieving a 78 percent graduation rate, with 100 percent of its students moving on to purse a higher education.

This bill has also been introduced in the State Assembly by Assemblyman Michael Blake and has been co-sponsored by Assembly members Walter Mosley and Vivian Cook.

"Our young men of color have a better chance at thriving in life thanks to the Eagle Academy.The Eagle Academy for Young Men in The Bronx is doing exceptional work in educating and graduating our future male leaders of color. I have seen firsthand the young men who aspire to not just be great but be excellent and selfless. Founder David Banks, Chairman Mark Getachew & Principal Jonathan Foy are to be commended for their incredible leadership of showing these young men in The Bronx that #BlackLivesMatter & #BrownLivesMatter. Given everything happening in our nation impacting our Black & Latino young men who need to be given the best chance of success in life, it's important for us to know what is working best to implement those strategies across the board. There is no doubt that Eagle's approach is working, and we need to help all of our young men of color to soar as well," said Assemblyman Michael Blake.

Print as PDF