Dear Friends,
Welcome to Bard High School Early College (BHSEC) Manhattan, a NYC public school founded in 2001 in partnership with Bard College. Dr. Leon Botstein, the president of Bard College, believes 13- to 17-year-olds should be taken seriously as learners and that many are ready for the seriousness that comes with a college education at a younger age. That is what we provide for you.
During the first two years at BHSEC, students experience a traditional 9th and 10th-grade curriculum but they are taught by college professors. As they transition into their 3rd and 4th years, students move from preparing for college to being in college. The classes taught in our building for our 3rd and 4th year students are college courses. This model provides the intellectual challenges that engage young learners—from specialized seminars to a diverse array of foundational and elective courses tailored to both the expertise of our faculty members and the student interests. We also provide modifications for students who have individualized education plans so that we can meet those students needs and so motivated and academically curious students, interested in attending an early college can benefit from our early college.
Our partnership with Bard College and the New York City Department of Education, allows us to offer college courses at no cost to students or their families. After four years, graduates of BHSEC Manhattan not only receive a high school Regents diploma but many have also accumulated enough college credit to earn an Associate in Arts degree from Bard College. Nearly all of our graduates pursue further education at four-year colleges to complete their bachelor’s degrees after graduating from BHSEC Manhattan.
I invite you to explore our website for more information or to attend one of our Open Houses in the late spring or fall to learn more about BHSEC Manhattan’s commitment to providing serious academic education to the diverse learners in NYC. BHSEC Manhattan provides the support and positive social environment, to make it both engaging and enjoyable.
Valeri J. Thomson Ph.D. (she/her)
BHSEC Manhattan School Leader
