The Bronx Charter School for the Arts is a public elementary school located in Hunts Point neighborhood in the Bronx, New York City.
Hunts Point had been experiencing some growth characterized by industrial and residential development. However, quality education has been lagging behind. In response to this, between 1999-2002 Bronx Arts founding team, led by Xanthe Jory, convened to draft charter proposal and create educational plan for Bronx Charter School for the Arts. The Bronx Arts team comprised a dynamic, group of educators, parents, and community residents who recognized the critical need for quality education in the South Bronx.
In 2002, New York State Board of Regents awards charter to Bronx Charter School for the Arts. Shortly after receiving the charter, Bronx Arts wins, in succession, the National Social Venture Competition sponsored by Columbia and Berkeley business schools and major grants from Goldman Sachs, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the National Council of La Raza.
Between 2002–2003, a one-and-a-half year start-up period, a staff of six began planning for the school. Subsequently, in July 2003, Bronx Arts founding instructional staff is hired and convenes for first annual Summer Institute which led to Bronx Charter School for the Arts opening its doors to 162 students in grades K-3 September 2003. In August 2004 Bronx Arts relocated to its current state-of-the-art permanent facility on Longfellow Avenue in Hunts Point. The school increased to 200 students in grades K-4.[1]