New York City has opened its first Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Early College Prep High School, located in Queens. The new school was launched in partnership with Delaware State University (DSU) and will allow students to earn up to 64 tuition-free college credits — the equivalent of an associate degree in Liberal Arts — while still in high school.
The HBCU Early College Prep High School welcomed its inaugural class of more than 100 ninth-grade students this September. The program is led by founding principal Dr. Asya Johnson, an HBCU graduate, and is structured around both academic and cultural traditions found at historically Black colleges and universities. Students will be able to participate in experiences such as Greek life, Founder’s Day activities, homecoming celebrations, and other hallmark events of HBCU culture.
Mayor Eric Adams said, “We are ringing in the school year with more investments to prepare our students for bold futures. Today, we are opening seven new public schools across the five boroughs, including the first ever HBCU Early College Prep High School, expanding programs for students with autism, rolling out our first batch of 5,000 new after-school seats, and so much more as we invest in our students and families. We are thrilled to start the school year with these new investments, offering schools that honor our students’ rich backgrounds and histories and meet local needs, provide rigorous instruction, and prepare all of our students for the future. Our administration is laser focused on making New York the best place to raise a family, and that starts with providing our kids with a quality education.”
Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said, “The first day of school is my favorite day of the year. As I watched my own daughter prepare for her first day of middle school, I was reminded of the tremendous trust families across the city place in us with their most precious gifts: their children. That is why we are committed to delivering on our promise to provide a world-class education that prepares every single student for success. This year, we’ve opened seven brand-new, innovative schools, launched a device policy that will create more focused learning environments, and expanded our incredibly successful NYC Reads and NYC Solves programs to 186 additional schools across our system. I am beyond proud to lead New York City Public Schools in this groundbreaking work, and I can’t wait to see our students thrive throughout this new school year.”
New York City Councilmember Kevin C. Riley added, “As an advocate for educational equity and opportunity, I am proud to celebrate the opening of New York City’s first HBCU Early College Prep High School in partnership with Delaware State University. This model not only prepares students for academic success but also honors the cultural pride and excellence of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. By offering tuition-free college credits, we are breaking barriers and creating opportunities for our Black and Brown youth, an investment in the next generation of leaders who will shape our city and beyond.”
The HBCU Early College Prep High School is one of seven new public schools opening across New York City this year, in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. Collectively, these schools aim to expand educational opportunities for more than 500 students, with specialized programming and career-focused pathways.
This school year also includes several new initiatives for the city’s 1 million public school students:
The HBCU Early College Prep High School represents a new model for integrating higher education pathways into public schools while celebrating the legacy of historically Black institutions. By combining rigorous academics, cultural traditions, and tuition-free college credit, the school is positioned to prepare its students for both college and future careers.