George Jackson Academy is the only school of its kind in New York City: an independent, nonsectarian upper elementary and middle school for academically capable boys from lower-income and underserved families. The school was created to engage boys from 4th to 8th grade, a time when young men are particularly vulnerable to disengaging from school. Like partner school De La Salle Academy, George Jackson Academy creates a life-changing experience by challenging its students to grow as scholars, friends, and brothers in community.
Brotherhood Creates Leaders
In an urban culture where smart is uncool, our students learn to think critically, to engage academically, and to value their intellect as a unique and precious gift.
Our single-sex program focuses young men on supportive, engaging academic and social development at the most critical time in their lives. Highlights include:
- Engaging and challenging instruction in mathematics, sciences, critical reading and writing, Spanish, Latin, geography, history, and economics.
- Arts instruction with partners from the American Ballet Theatre, Juilliard, and the Theatre Development Fund.
- Small classes and an 8:1 student to teacher ratio.
- Summer Academy for all 6th-8th graders: a month-long program focused on technology literacy, critical writing skills, and high school preparation.
- High school and college placement mentoring.
- Advisory groups gather every boy daily in a small subset of the community with an adult mentor.
- Community service links our students with the East Village and Lower East Side neighborhoods for regular service work.
- Small group and one-on-one counseling are available to every boy.
Leadership
Brother Brian Carty is the president, founder, and chairman of the Board of Trustees of George Jackson Academy. He graduated from Catholic University in 1966 and has two graduate degrees: an M.A. in Counseling from New York University and an M.S.W. from Columbia University. He is principal and founder of De La Salle Academy, and was a former teacher and principal of George Jackson Academy’s inspirational predecessor, The Monsignor William R. Kelly School.
David Arnold is the Head of School of George Jackson Academy. He received his bachelor's degree and two master's degrees from Columbia University. Mr. Arnold’s extensive independent school leadership includes: Head of Upper School at Woodmere Academy, Principal of Upper School at The Buckley School (CA), Director of the High School at Dalton, Head of the Upper School at Friends Seminary, and the Associate Headmaster and Head of the Middle School at the Rodeph Sholom School. He has recently been appointed to the Board of the New York City Guild of Heads of Schools.
Mr. Arnold oversees a staff of 20 highly skilled administrators, teachers and staff.
