School Investments
The Bronx Science Foundation provides the school with $1 million - $2 million in funding every year to enhance the curriculum, expand extracurricular activities and improve facilities.
Here are the different ways we invest in Bronx Science excellence.
Green and Gold Fund – a fund for unrestricted giving, providing the principal with flexible funding to best meet the most pressing needs of the school. The Green & Gold Fund encompasses the following programs, in addition, to many others as needs arise.
Student Aid - More than 1,300 current Bronx Science students live below the poverty line. The Bronx Science Foundation provides these students with the basic necessities including funding for clothing, food and transportation where appropriate. We also provide students with a computer if they do not have one at home which allows them to do their schoolwork to their full ability. The Foundation also provides financial resources to provide full or partial subsidies when needed for field trips, senior dues and the prom.
Academic Enhancements - Bronx Science consistently adds new advanced electives to the curriculum. We provide financial support for the necessary books, materials and resources that help bring these classes to life. New classes for this year include Neuroscience and Molecular Cell Biology. Currently, we use this fund to supplement existing academic enrichment including all students taking computer science, engineering and a writing seminar as well as offer more than 30 Advanced Placement Classes and advanced electives such as Genetics, Algorithms, Organic Chemistry, American Studies, Linear Algebra and more.
College Process - The Foundation works closely with the Bronx Science college office to provide students with the paramount support and advice to help navigate the increasingly complex college admissions process. We hire a dedicated expert to lead the college office. We provide every student with individual, customized feedback on their college essays and offer students one-on-one interview preparation through Project Accepted. Students are also partnered with alumni who attended the colleges they are applying to for more specific feedback for their college supplements.
Extracurriculars - Bronx Science students often point to their after-school activities as their most transformative experience. The Foundation provides the financial assistance for more than 100 student activities, including academic teams like Science Olympiad and Math Team, student life, clubs, teams and more.
Professional Development - With such dynamic academic offerings and an ambitious faculty, we are committed to providing teachers with the professional development, training and inspiration they need. We send teachers to national conferences, offer them opportunities to visit other schools and attend workshops that prepare them to better meet the needs of our talented students.
Humanities and the Arts - We provide the financial support for publications like Dynamo and Science Survey as well as the school musical and play.
Student-Alumni Programs - We bring students and alumni together throughout the year providing students opportunities to hear about alumni careers, perspectives and offer their help to our students.
Capital Improvements - We aim to provide students with state-of-the-art facilities that allow them to learn and socialize. Lab equipment is updated regularly, enabling students to perform new and innovative experiments, such as creating “cyborg cockroaches” in AP Biology or designing their own volumetric pipettes in Post-AP Chemistry.
Cafeteria Remodel - Our next project is a complete remodel of our student cafeteria, which has not been renovated since the school moved to the “new” building in 1959. We aim to build a community space that encourages socialization and participation in school events like the Halloween “Monster Mash” and the monthly “Coffeehouse” during lunch periods.
Speech & Debate - Bronx Science is proud to have one of the most successful Speech & Debate teams in the country. We aim to give every member of our 300 person team as many competitive opportunities as possible, so that each student can develop new skills from competing amongst the best debaters in the country. As we celebrate the 51st anniversary of our team, we plan to continue this tradition of full student participation. Expenses associated with travel, hotels and tournament registration fees make the cost per student of these trips high. Alumni donations subsidize these costs to make these opportunities accessible ensuring all students can participate regardless of financial means.
IDEAS Initiative - Our IDEAS Initiative works to foster innovative thinking beyond the classroom. The initiative includes our annual hackathon, Atomhacks, which allows students to complete computer science based projects and our Makerspace which allows students to use the school’s 3-D printer and laser cutter to make their own creations. Contributions also support our two robotics teams, the all-female FeMaidens and the co-ed Sciborgs, in funding the supplies and tools they need to build their robot and compete each year. We also provide financial assistance so our students can compete at national competitions.
Summer Institutes - The Bronx Science Foundation sponsors five different summer institutes at Bronx Science to provide students with an opportunity for further study. Our Bronx Science Design Institute allows students to invent, create and build a new physical product. Our Programming Academy helps students hone their computer coding skills while our Climate Leadership Institute teaches students about the environment, climate and the community around them. Our Science Research Institutes in animal behavior and cell and molecular studies allow students to conduct individual research projects. Overall, more than 150 students participate in Bronx Science summer institutes and have a terrific time getting to explore their passions.