2014-2015 Blackboard Award Honoree: Success Academy Bronx 2

Editor’s note: To read a long-form story with profiles of all 15 2014-2015 Blackboard Awards honorees, click HERE!

SUCCESS ACADEMY BRONX 2
PRINCIPAL: VANESSA BANGSER
K-4
450 St. Paul’s Place, The Bronx
successacademies.org
AWARD: OUTSTANDING GRADE SCHOOL

Vanessa Bangser. Photo by Marcus Photography

Describe your school’s core educational philosophy.

Success Academy Bronx 2 embodies joyful rigor. The high bar for academic expectations our teachers have for scholars is balanced with a true love of learning and sense of fun and possibility. We strive to develop the whole child and help all scholars meet and exceed their potential in every aspect of schooling. We value their ability to strategize as mathematicians just as much as their ability to engage in meaningful conversations with each other, and as much as their love for playing in the snow during recess! We believe in making school a magical place—so much so that we constantly ask ourselves: If school were not mandatory, would all our scholars still attend?

Tell us about a few of the school’s achievements or distinguishing programs—as well as some of its challenges.

Our scholars are among the highest-achieving students in the state of New York! They ranked third in the state for math scores with 99 percent passing and 82 percent achieving the highest score of level 4… Success Academy Bronx 2 scholars work hard, and often have many challenges to overcome: 88 percent of our families are poor enough that their children receive subsidized lunch; 7 percent are English Language learners—yet another 5 percent were ELL, but have achieved proficiency since joining us!

What’s new?

This year SA Bronx 2 expanded. We now have a middle school, and we are already looking ahead to high school! We are also very excited about the joint student council between SA Bronx 2 and our co-located school PS 55. The two student councils are joining together to form a building council, which we think will lead to many exciting programs for both schools.

What do you love about your school?

At SA Bronx 2, we are a family. As parents and educators, we are collectively raising beautiful, brilliant children together and inherently that makes us family. I truly love not only the children but also the adults I get to interact with every day. They are passionate, dedicated, fiercely intelligent people who push the school to be better tomorrow than it is today. I walk the hallways feeling energized and challenged in a way that I can’t even explain. We laugh together, cry together, and love together. I wake up every morning both thankful and humbled by the fact that I have a job that inspires and excites me every single day.

The Cathedral School

The Cathedral School is a Nursery School, Pre-K 4, and Kindergarten through 5th grade co- educational day school that offers a nurturing environment while preparing young minds for a rigorous academic education rooted in the principles of Hellenism. The curriculum integrates the most up to date educational methods while adhering to the ancient Greek tradition of paideia which views education as character formation, responsibility and the pursuit of excellence in all forms.

The French American Academy

We believe that learning a second language at an early age is a life-long advantage which will benefit our children both academically and cognitively. Our goal is to create a safe, supportive, nurturing, international learning environment where students can develop fully in both French and English.

The Parkside School

Empowering Students with Language-Based Learning Differences Through Comprehensive Education and Support The Parkside School offers a comprehensive and nurturing educational experience for students with language-based learning differences and disabilities. Our program is designed to support the unique academic, social, and emotional needs of each child, empowering them to thrive in a structured yet flexible learning environment. At the heart of Parkside&rsquo;s approach is a robust curriculum that integrates literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and the arts, all tailored to accommodate diverse learning styles. Our team of dedicated teachers, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and counselors collaborate closely to provide individualized instruction and therapeutic support, ensuring that each student receives a holistic education. Small class sizes enable our staff to build strong relationships with students, fostering a deep understanding of their strengths and challenges. Parkside&rsquo;s multi-disciplinary team utilizes evidence-based interventions such as The Zones of Regulation and executive functioning strategies to promote self-regulation and problem-solving skills. Our occupational therapy program supports sensory integration and fine motor development, while speech and language services target communication skills, helping students express themselves more effectively and build stronger connections with peers. Beyond academics, Parkside emphasizes social-emotional learning through a community-centered approach. We provide students with a safe, supportive space to build self-confidence, social skills, and independence. Our inclusive community is further strengthened through partnerships with families, who are encouraged to take an active role in their child&rsquo;s educational journey. At Parkside, we are committed to helping children discover their potential, preparing them not only for academic success but also for meaningful, fulfilling lives.