Bronx Debate Academy

Bronx Debate Academy, a relatively new middle school serving grades 6-8, is recognized for its distinctive mission to cultivate independent learners and leaders through debate integrated across all subjects. The school, with a small enrollment of 131 students, emphasizes performative assessments, service learning, arts, and athletics. It offers an ambitious academic program, including advanced Regents classes for all students and preparation courses for the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT), signaling a strong focus on academic advancement. The school also features a Spanish dual language program and a Spanish language debate program. Students benefit from an extended learning day until 4:00 PM, which includes a variety of enrichment activities such as sports, dance, music, and chess, complemented by a Saturday Academy designed to support academic mastery. Parents often praise the school's small size, which fosters a close-knit community, and appreciate its commitment to developing critical thinking and confidence through debate. The school serves a student body with a higher proportion of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) compared to the citywide median. While the school provides extensive academic support and enrichment, its ELA and Math proficiency rates are below the citywide median, indicating areas for academic growth as the school establishes its programs.