The first graduating class in the history of Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy (BELA) Charter School, an all-girls secondary school in Brooklyn, New York, is being celebrated. Even better, every graduate was accepted into a college!
Since its founding in 2017, the school has worked to encourage “each young woman to be the best version of herself” to combat the educational disparities experienced by Black and Brown adolescents. And precisely that was demonstrated by its first class of graduates.
BELA’s class of 2021 is 90% Black and more than 75% first-generation college students. The class boasts a 100% college acceptance record. Over 150 colleges and universities received the students’ applications and were awarded over $1 million in merit-based scholarships.
The school recently hosted a “college shower” for the senior class. Each of the 50 students received college essentials, including duffle bags, bedding, and a set of Bluetooth headphones.
According to Patch, BELA co-founder and principal Nicia Fullwood told the graduating students, “Today, you are rewriting history and adding to the legacy of District 16 and Bedford-Stuyvesant. “
We’ve always claimed that you’re all destined for greatness and that you’ll make the world a better place in ways we never dreamed possible. We celebrate each of you today despite your unconventional senior year,” she added.
