Two Bard High School Early Colleges Awarded Funding from New York City Council
ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y.— For the 2026-27 academic year, the New York City Council has announced that it has allocated funding to two Bard High School Early Colleges (BHSEC). BHSEC Brooklyn will receive $1.5 million for classroom upgrades, allocated by Council Member Chris Banks, and BHSEC Queens will receive $50,000 for technology upgrades, allocated by Council Member Julie Won.
“When I became the Council Member representing District 42, I made a commitment that the educational infrastructure for our students in East New York, Brownsville, Canarsie, East Flatbush, and Remsen Village would be a priority,” said Council Member Chris Banks. “Providing our young people with access to outstanding educational opportunities begins with investing in the spaces where they learn, grow, and prepare for their futures. I am proud to partner with Speaker Julie Menin on this $1.5 million capital investment for Bard Early College High School in East New York, which will continue to provide resources for the renovation of five classrooms, continuing to transform this innovative campus into a beacon of learning. Together, Speaker Menin and I are committed to ensuring that students in East New York have access to first-rate facilities that support academic excellence and college readiness. This investment reflects our shared belief that every student, regardless of zip code, deserves the resources and opportunities needed to succeed.”
Bard High School Early College Brooklyn opened in East New York in 2024. When fully enrolled, the school will serve 500 students, with 90% of seats reserved for students from across Brooklyn and 40% specifically for families from East New York and Brownsville. In June 2026, 100% of the school’s inaugural graduating class earned a New York State high school diploma, with 88% also earning an Associate in Arts degree from Bard College. Demand for the program continues to grow, with more than 1,300 applications received for the 2026–27 school year. Bard Brooklyn will welcome a new class of 100 students this September.
“I am thrilled to announce that this $50,000 will support technology upgrades for Bard High School Early College Queens,” said Council Member Julie Won. “This continued investment in public education gives students the tools they need to succeed in early college coursework while still in high school, so they are better prepared for what comes after graduation.”
Bard High School Early College Queens offers students two years of a college-preparatory high school curriculum in grades 9 and 10. During their final two years at BHSEC, students transition into the school’s early college program, taking college-level courses rather than traditional 11th- and 12th-grade classes. Serving approximately 650 students, BHSEC Queens is the largest school in the BHSEC network. BHSEC Queens was also an early participant in New York City’s Diversity in Admissions initiative, joining the program in 2017 to expand access to students from low-income families. The school initially reserved 63% of incoming seats for students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, increasing that share to 73% in 2021. Today, 73% of incoming seats are prioritized for eligible students, reflecting BHSEC Queens’ longstanding commitment to making its early college opportunities accessible to students from across New York City.
Bard Early College is a multi-campus network of Bard College established to provide adolescents in American public school systems with the chance to take college courses and offer intellectual challenges equivalent to those found on leading college campuses across the country. Through a partnership between Bard College and the New York City Department of Education, the BHSEC schools across New York City make it possible for students to earn both a high school Regents diploma and an Associate’s Degree in four years, at no cost to students or families.
“When I became the Council Member representing District 42, I made a commitment that the educational infrastructure for our students in East New York, Brownsville, Canarsie, East Flatbush, and Remsen Village would be a priority,” said Council Member Chris Banks. “Providing our young people with access to outstanding educational opportunities begins with investing in the spaces where they learn, grow, and prepare for their futures. I am proud to partner with Speaker Julie Menin on this $1.5 million capital investment for Bard Early College High School in East New York, which will continue to provide resources for the renovation of five classrooms, continuing to transform this innovative campus into a beacon of learning. Together, Speaker Menin and I are committed to ensuring that students in East New York have access to first-rate facilities that support academic excellence and college readiness. This investment reflects our shared belief that every student, regardless of zip code, deserves the resources and opportunities needed to succeed.”
Bard High School Early College Brooklyn opened in East New York in 2024. When fully enrolled, the school will serve 500 students, with 90% of seats reserved for students from across Brooklyn and 40% specifically for families from East New York and Brownsville. In June 2026, 100% of the school’s inaugural graduating class earned a New York State high school diploma, with 88% also earning an Associate in Arts degree from Bard College. Demand for the program continues to grow, with more than 1,300 applications received for the 2026–27 school year. Bard Brooklyn will welcome a new class of 100 students this September.
“I am thrilled to announce that this $50,000 will support technology upgrades for Bard High School Early College Queens,” said Council Member Julie Won. “This continued investment in public education gives students the tools they need to succeed in early college coursework while still in high school, so they are better prepared for what comes after graduation.”
Bard High School Early College Queens offers students two years of a college-preparatory high school curriculum in grades 9 and 10. During their final two years at BHSEC, students transition into the school’s early college program, taking college-level courses rather than traditional 11th- and 12th-grade classes. Serving approximately 650 students, BHSEC Queens is the largest school in the BHSEC network. BHSEC Queens was also an early participant in New York City’s Diversity in Admissions initiative, joining the program in 2017 to expand access to students from low-income families. The school initially reserved 63% of incoming seats for students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, increasing that share to 73% in 2021. Today, 73% of incoming seats are prioritized for eligible students, reflecting BHSEC Queens’ longstanding commitment to making its early college opportunities accessible to students from across New York City.
Bard Early College is a multi-campus network of Bard College established to provide adolescents in American public school systems with the chance to take college courses and offer intellectual challenges equivalent to those found on leading college campuses across the country. Through a partnership between Bard College and the New York City Department of Education, the BHSEC schools across New York City make it possible for students to earn both a high school Regents diploma and an Associate’s Degree in four years, at no cost to students or families.
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About Bard College
Founded in 1860, Bard College is a four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences located 90 miles north of New York City. With the addition of the Montgomery Place and Massena properties, Bard’s campus consists of more than 1,200 parklike acres in the Hudson River Valley. It offers bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and bachelor of music degrees, with majors in nearly 40 academic programs; advanced degrees through 14 graduate programs; 10 early colleges; and numerous dual-degree programs nationally and internationally. Building on its 166-year history as a competitive and innovative undergraduate institution, Bard College has expanded its mission as a private institution acting in the public interest across the country and around the world to meet broader student needs and increase access to liberal arts education. The undergraduate program at the main campus in upstate New York has a reputation for scholarly excellence, a focus on the arts, and civic engagement. Bard is committed to enriching culture, public life, and democratic discourse by training tomorrow’s thought leaders. For more information about Bard College, visit bard.edu.
Founded in 1860, Bard College is a four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences located 90 miles north of New York City. With the addition of the Montgomery Place and Massena properties, Bard’s campus consists of more than 1,200 parklike acres in the Hudson River Valley. It offers bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and bachelor of music degrees, with majors in nearly 40 academic programs; advanced degrees through 14 graduate programs; 10 early colleges; and numerous dual-degree programs nationally and internationally. Building on its 166-year history as a competitive and innovative undergraduate institution, Bard College has expanded its mission as a private institution acting in the public interest across the country and around the world to meet broader student needs and increase access to liberal arts education. The undergraduate program at the main campus in upstate New York has a reputation for scholarly excellence, a focus on the arts, and civic engagement. Bard is committed to enriching culture, public life, and democratic discourse by training tomorrow’s thought leaders. For more information about Bard College, visit bard.edu.
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This event was last updated on 08-12-2026
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