A Black woman is leading the establishment of New York City, NY‘s first HBCU Early College Prep High School, a groundbreaking initiative developed in partnership with the historically Black college from which she graduated.
Dr. Asya Johnson, chancellor’s master principal of NYC Public Schools, is a passionate advocate for racial justice and educational equity with over 16 years of educational experience. A proud Delaware State University alumna, she stated that the prep high school aims to “bridge the accelerated academics of a rich tradition of HBCU experience,” Waymaker Journal reported.
She is now paving the way for a new generation to follow in her footsteps.
The HBCU Early College Prep High School will open in Southeast Queens in September 2025, fast-tracking NYC Public School students’ path to college. They will be able to start receiving college credits as early as ninth grade and graduate high school with a diploma, a tuition-free associate’s degree, and guaranteed admission to DSU.
“Giving kids an opportunity to get a leg-up getting an associate’s degree — and possibly graduate with their bachelor’s at 20 — it’s just mind-blowing,” Johnson told the New York Daily News. “It’s life-changing for a lot of people.”
The program anticipates about 100 students in its first year and plans to expand to between 460 and 500 students.
The prep school is the final piece of a commitment outgoing Chancellor David Banks made in 2022 to establish three accelerated programs for families in “underserved neighborhoods.”
“HBCUs have produced so many of our country’s leaders, from scientists to executives, artists to athletes to politicians, including our Vice President Kamala Harris,” Banks said, per the Daily News. “I’m beyond proud that our students will soon benefit from and become a part of that legacy.”
According to its website, the HBCU Early College Prep High School offers a challenging curriculum that fosters lifelong learning, critical thinking, and leadership, while emphasizing discipline, self-discovery, and community engagement.
Together, those spearheading the school aspire to create an institution that leads in innovative education and facilitates a seamless transition from high school to college.
“Our goal is to nurture graduates as compassionate, socially conscious leaders who harness education’s transformative power to break barriers and drive lasting, positive impact in their communities,” the school website reads.
