El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice

El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice is a small, innovative high school in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, known for its strong ties to the community and a mission focused on peace and justice. The school is part of the New York Performance Standards Consortium, which means students graduate by completing performance-based assessments (PBATs) involving extensive research, writing, and oral presentations across subjects, rather than most Regents exams. This project-based curriculum aims to create an intellectual and challenging environment, preparing students for college through in-depth literacy, problem-solving, and research. Parents express overwhelmingly positive sentiment, with official surveys showing 100% satisfaction, and many describe the school as a supportive, family-like environment with caring teachers. The school boasts a 0% suspension rate and a high English Regents pass rate of 89.1%. Students generally report feeling safe within the school. However, the school's graduation rate of 76% and college enrollment rate of 50% are below citywide medians, and some feedback suggests a need for academic improvement despite dedicated teachers. The trimester system allows students to complete most credits by 11th grade, providing opportunities for college courses, research, and internships.