Introduction
George Jackson Academy opened its doors in the fall of 2003 by welcoming its first class of 52 boys into its Fourth and Fifth Grades. It currently enrolls 113 students in its Fourth through Eighth Grades. Following the tradition established by De La Salle Academy, but with a focus on boys, the Academy is helping bright boys from less advantaged families identify and celebrate their gifts in a community that will teach them to be successful men and leaders in their chosen professions.

The school is located in a former parochial school building at 104 St. Mark's Place in Manhattan's East Village and has expanded one grade per year since its inception. Its first graduating class received diplomas in June 2007. Graduates of the school's first two graduating classes are or will be attending Stuyvesant, Trinity, Trevor Day, Friends Seminary, Brooklyn Friends, Riverdale, Dalton, Fieldston, Bard, Packer Collegiate, Lawrenceville, Hotchkiss, Episcopal School (Alexandria, Va.), George School, Peddie, Suffield Academy, Kent, Concord Academy, Masters, La Salle Academy, Cardinal Hayes, St. Raymond's and Elisabeth Irwin/Little Red School House.

Academic Excellence
George Jackson Academy is unique in its sponsorship of an education that integrates the very best of what collaborative and individualized learning can offer aspiring students. As such, it seeks to instill in its students an appreciation for the rewards that can emerge from a genuine pursuit of knowledge for its own sake and in concert with other students. At the same time, it endeavors to take each student to the highest mastery levels he is capable of attaining in a culture focused on intellectual achievement and personal growth. Students are given the tools to make meaning of their world and provided with opportunities to reflect on their experience. A high premium is placed on the goals of community-building, enlightened leadership, and clear self-expression. To aid in these goals the school has constructed a set of academic expectations that move its students to believe in themselves and their ability to contend with any academic challenge they may confront. The curriculum has been devised to be creatively demanding as well as engaging, asking the very best from its students in their efforts to resolve the questions that it poses for them. In this environment, where the "examined life" is a priority, our students are taught to react critically, to learn how the power of thought can work for them, and how to weigh conflicting information and issues - on a moral and ethical level - in order to make sense of them. In addition to the core subjects of language arts, physical and life science, mathematics, history, and Spanish, students also learn social studies in combination with their language arts coursework. Electives include music, drama, art, philosophy, public speaking, keyboarding, economics,civics, "The Great Books", yoga and Jazz Ensemble.

Courage and Personal Honor
Boys need the support of an educational community which nurtures their specific needs and which bolsters them during their most formative years.

Research shows that boys begin to lose an emotional connection to school much younger than girls do. Experience shows that boys struggle during elementary school and early adolescence to define themselves as brothers and understand themselves as men.

The ultimate aim of George Jackson Academy is to give students an environment that is safe, risk-free, and conducive to learning at every level - intellectual, social, emotional, and interpersonal - in a community context. Here classes are conducted in a supportive, non-competitive, inquiry-oriented fashion. As an oasis from the impersonality of an outside world, the school seeks to celebrate the values of community, integrity, care, personal honor, emotional courage, and mindfulness. Of special note is the fact that issues of the heart and spirit are emphasized as much as academic pursuits.

EVERY BOY will be challenged by his peers and his mentors to meet and surpass the highest expectations and to develop his talents to their maximum potential.

Leadership and Staff
George Jackson Academy was founded by De La Salle Academy Headmaster Brother Brian Carty, FCS. Head of School, David M. Arnold, received his bachelor's degree and two master's degrees from Columbia University. David's extensive background includes Director of the High School at Dalton, Head of the Upper School at Friends Seminary, and, most recently, as the Associate Headmaster and Head of the Middle School at the Rodeph Sholom School. There are two Assistant Heads of School. Founding Faculty member Antwan Allen is the Assistant Head of School for Curriculum and Faculty Development. Mr. Allen graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a master's degree in Education. Mr. Allen is on the Board of Trustees of La Salle Academy.   Andre Del Valle is the Assistant Head of School for Administrative Operations. Mr. Del Valle graduated from Syracuse University with a B.A. in Political Science and Psychology and holds two master's degrees from Pace University with concentrations in the Science of Teaching and Educational Administration. This team brings a wealth of experience and success working with lower-income students and with bright students making the transition to the nation's most competitive and elite high schools. Together they set a tone which reaches bright boys, celebrates their gifts, and challenges them to grow into caring and successful young men.