Drawing on Exeter Principles—and People

Outside of the classroom, students like (left to right) Helen Chavez, Melissa Del Villar, Latysha Phillip and Chaquenya Johnson take part in the school orchestra, and in an African dancing and drumming group.

Jordan admits she began with lofty ideas of a school centered on Harkness teaching, but has tailored this plan to better fit her students and their backgrounds. "We do use a discussion approach in some classes, but our students don't yet have the skills to make this work in every class," she says. "We have created a very structured environment here. We have to teach them how to use freedom first." As the school expands, Jordan hopes to introduce more classes based on an Exeter model, especially in the high school. But no matter what shape the curriculum eventually assumes, Exeter and Exeter people have played an important role at Bronx Prep already.

When she was drafting the charter application, Jordan consulted with a number of her former teachers at Exeter about teaching methods and materials, including history instructor Matthew Boesen and Spanish instructor James Samiljan. She persuaded history department chair Richard Schubart to serve on the Bronx Prep board, and Schubart in turn recruited Roberto Garcia '71 as a founding board member and adviser. Garcia grew up just two miles from Bronx Prep and after a career in management, switched to education. He taught at a Bronx public school before taking his current position at Stamford High School in Connecticut. He describes what Jordan has created as "Exeter in the Bronx." He adds, "Kristin is applying the same high standards we picked up at Exeter in the Bronx, and she is one of the few people doing it in the Bronx. Her attempt to establish an alternative to the public schools is the forefront of innovation." Garcia believes that in another three or four years, Jordan and Bronx Prep will be at the cutting edge of what's happening in education.

'Preparation + Focus = Success'

Sixth grader Eric Sanchez keeps pace with teacher 'Dele Husbands (right).

Last summer another member of the Exeter community became involved with Bronx Prep. Udochi Nwogu '02 worked as an intern, helping to prepare for the opening and assisting with a summer session for students needing extra preparation. A resident of the North Bronx, Nwogu says, "The kids coming to Bronx Prep want to be successful. The school is showing them how."

So how do you teach success? For Kristin Jordan, it begins with high standards enforced through the school culture she and Marina Damiba have consciously created with the help of a dedicated band of teachers. Evidence of the Bronx Prep culture is everywhere in the school's classrooms and hallways, from slogans posted over blackboards ("Preparation + Focus = Success") to the gleeful chanted "rolling" of the times tables math students are happy to demonstrate at a moment's notice. It is also evident in the pride students take in their new school. "We come to school at 7:55 and stay until 5:00. We learn more because we're here longer," says Omario, who is quick to add the fact that he was born in Jamaica. His classmate, Yolanda, agrees: "The longer school hours are good because we achieve more." And Jovany, who wants me to know he was born in Mexico, says, "What makes Bronx Prep different is we have our own songs."

Bronx Prep also has its own orchestra, made up of 58 students, only one of whom had ever played an instrument before. Other enrichment activities include an African dancing and drumming troupe, a step dance group and a painting and drawing program. The school has a fully equipped computer lab as well.

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