Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Avilés-Ramos announced the launch of seven new public schools this fall, including a Bronx-based STEAM high school, as part of a sweeping initiative to modernize education and support underserved students across the five boroughs.
The Bronx STEAM Center, which will encompass Bronx high schools in districts 8, 10 and 11, will offer a forward-thinking curriculum focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The school aims to bridge academic readiness with career exploration, particularly for students in historically underserved Bronx neighborhoods. Through real-world learning experiences and career-aligned programming, the center seeks to create meaningful pathways to long-term success.
“With these seven new schools, we’re giving our young people the tools to not only dream big but to achieve big,” said Mayor Adams. “Every child, no matter their ZIP code or their challenges, deserves access to the best education possible.”
The new schools are part of a broader citywide effort under the Adams administration to increase access to specialized education. Among the schools highlighted are two new models:
The Central Brooklyn Literacy Academy, modeled after the successful South Bronx Literacy Academy, will serve students in grades 2–8 who face challenges learning to read and may be at risk for dyslexia or other language-based learning difficulties. The academy, opening in District 17, will provide multi-sensory, structured literacy instruction and is a cornerstone of the mayor’s literacy reform initiative—one shaped by his personal experience with undiagnosed dyslexia.
“This is about unlocking potential in students who’ve too often been left behind,” said Adams. “We’re giving kids the tools and the confidence to succeed in school and beyond.”
The HBCU Early College Prep High School, opening in Queens’ District 29, marks a first for NYC Public Schools. In partnership with Delaware State University, the school will provide a tuition-free early college experience where students can earn up to 64 college credits toward an associate degree. The program begins in ninth grade and guarantees admission to DSU, delivering both academic advancement and cultural connection to historically Black colleges and universities.
Chancellor Avilés-Ramos called the school expansion “a transformative step” for the city.
“Each new school is purposefully designed to meet the unique needs of our communities,” she said. “Whether it’s supporting multilingual learners, preparing students for healthcare careers, or addressing print-based learning disabilities, we are building spaces where every student can thrive.”
Additional schools opening this fall include:
Middle School of Innovation in South Brooklyn, focused on digital learning and AI.
Northwell School of Health Sciences in Woodside, Queens, preparing students for careers in healthcare.
Queens International High School, to be located in District 24, supporting newly arrived multilingual learners.
Staten Island Rise Academy, offering inclusive education for students with individualized needs.
All principals of these new schools are participating in the inaugural New School Leaders Fellowship, a leadership and community-building initiative that began earlier this year. The program is designed to support school culture development and ensure long-term success from day one.
“These schools are more than just buildings—they’re incubators for opportunity,” said Dr. Shawn Rux, executive director of the Office of New School Development and Design. “We’re creating models that serve students where they are and push them toward where they want to be.”
