Leaders High School

Leaders High School, formerly Expeditionary Learning School for Community Leaders, is a Brooklyn high school known for its innovative approach to education as an NYC Outward Bound and EL Education school. It emphasizes hands-on, project-based learning, with students completing in-depth analytical papers and projects (PBATs) for graduation as part of the NY Performance Standards Consortium, rather than relying solely on most Regents exams. The school fosters a strong, supportive community through its unique "crew" system, where students receive ongoing guidance from an advisor throughout all four years. Parents and students consistently praise the supportive teaching staff and welcoming environment. The school is also a FutureReadyNYC institution with a focus on Business & Entrepreneurship, offering internships, paid work-based learning, and early college credits. Graduates demonstrate strong post-secondary outcomes, with college enrollment rates (76.1%) well above the citywide median (66.0%) and near the 75th percentile. While some students describe the academic pace as less challenging, others appreciate the rigorous, real-world application of learning. The school's chronic absenteeism rate (43.0%) is a notable concern, falling above the citywide median (35.0%) and near the 75th percentile (45.0%).