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EVENTS
Leadership 2026 -JANUARY 26-29
HOST SCHOOLS
BPL Leadership Conferences are intentionally planned in communities where network schools exist, such that attendees have the opportunity to not only learn from and with peers who grapple with similar issues and celebrate similar success stories; but also have the opportunity to lend their own expertise in specific areas of focus.
This year we're delighted to be able to visit several locations - all of which are part of the expanding work Big Picture Learning has been undertaking to bring interest-based learning to The Bronx. Long time BPL network partners Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School and PS 89 anchor our visits, coupled with trips to meet schools, leaders and young people who are just entering their leading edge. Just as the neighborhoods of New York City are defined by their diversity, so too are these school's approaches to serving the city's young people.
Getting There
Though the numbers are somewhat difficult to pin down, rough estimates suggest that over 75% of New York City public school students take New York's vast public transportation system (both subways and buses) to school each day. In that way, breathing in the daily life of the city - its sights and smells - can be just as much a learning experience as being in its schools. So we'll be doing the same - traveling to and from our school site visits by jumping on the train. Duke Ellington famously encouraged folks to take the train to Harlem to enjoy its world-celebrated jazz scene. Why would we do anything less to observe the celebrated BPL approach as it spires out into the boroughs? (Of course, we'll work closely with any attendees who may need special accommodations)
Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School
In the heart of the Bronx, Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School embodies the courage and conviction of its namesake. Rooted in community and purpose, the school empowers students to think critically, act boldly, and use their minds well. Through project-based learning and real-world internships, students connect their education to meaningful change—mirroring Fannie Lou Hamer’s lifelong fight for justice and equality. Visiting FLHFHS means witnessing a vibrant learning community where young people grow into thoughtful leaders, ready to shape a more compassionate and equitable world.
Community School for Social Justice​
The Community School for Social Justice stands as a testament to the power of education rooted in community. As an NYC Outward Bound School, CSSJ challenges and supports students to grow as thinkers, advocates, and changemakers. Deeply connected to the spirit of the South Bronx, the school draws strength from its neighborhood’s resilience, creativity, and activism. Here, every student’s voice matters, every culture is honored, and every act of learning is tied to the pursuit of justice—both within Mott Haven and beyond.
Bronx Arena High School
Bronx Arena High School redefines what school can be for students seeking a second chance. Designed for over-age, under-credited learners, Bronx Arena replaces traditional classrooms with personalized learning spaces where students move at their own pace, guided by dedicated teachers and advocates. Here, education is flexible, relevant, and rooted in trust—each learner charting a path that fits their goals and strengths. A visit to Bronx Arena reveals a community built on resilience and renewal, where young people rediscover confidence, purpose, and the power of their own potential.
South Bronx Community Charter High School​
South Bronx Community Charter High School is reimagining what it means to prepare young people for the future. Rooted in the values of empowerment and community, SBC nurtures students as confident, capable leaders ready to shape their own paths. Its competency-based model ensures that every learner advances by demonstrating mastery—building real skills, resilience, and purpose along the way. More than a school, SBC is a neighborhood anchor where families, educators, and partners come together to cultivate brilliance, foster innovation, and strengthen the fabric of the South Bronx community.
Arturo A. Schomburg Academy
Arturo A. Schomburg Academy embodies the spirit of its namesake—a visionary scholar who dedicated his life to uncovering the hidden histories of the African diaspora. Guided by his legacy, the school embraces students as truth-seekers and changemakers, empowering them to question, research, and define success on their own terms. Within a caring and inclusive community, learners build resilience, agency, and purpose through authentic, inquiry-based work. A visit to Schomburg reveals a place where history inspires action and education becomes a pathway to justice, pride, and self-determination.
PS 89
In the Williamsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx, P.S. 89 offers a joyful glimpse into the earliest stages of lifelong learning. As the only elementary school on the Leadership Summit visit list, P.S. 89 stands out for its warm, student-centered classrooms where curiosity, creativity, and confidence take root. Here, young learners are encouraged to take risks, connect lessons to real-world experiences, and see themselves as capable problem-solvers. Guided by dedicated educators and a nurturing community, students at P.S. 89 build the strong academic and social foundations that will carry them forward—embodying the wonder and possibility at the heart of education.
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