5 Keys To Success: Inside Eagle Academy Queens NY’s Groundbreaking All-Male Education Model
The Eagle Academy for Young Men of Southeast Queens, often referred to simply as Eagle Academy Queens NY, stands as a powerful testament to the impact of specialized, mission-driven education in urban communities. As of the current 2024-2025 school year, the academy continues to deliver exceptional results, proving that a focused approach can dramatically alter the trajectory of young men of color in New York City. This institution is not just a school; it is a holistic development model designed to cultivate future leaders through rigorous academics, character development, and a unique mentorship structure.
Operating out of its location at 171-10 Linden Boulevard in Jamaica, NY, the academy’s recent achievements—including a high graduation rate and significant community grants—highlight its ongoing success in empowering its scholars to become globally conscious and globally competitive citizens. The model is so effective that the broader Eagle Academy Foundation is now eyeing a national expansion to replicate this success across the country.
The Eagle Academy for Young Men of Southeast Queens: A Profile in Specialized Education
The Eagle Academy for Young Men of Southeast Queens (Eagle Academy III) is a critical part of a network of all-male, grades 6 through 12, college-preparatory schools established to address the educational crisis facing young Black and Latino men in challenged urban environments. The school’s mission is deeply rooted in providing an environment where these young men can thrive academically and personally.
- Official Name: The Eagle Academy for Young Men of Southeast Queens (also known as Eagle Academy III)
- Location: 171-10 Linden Boulevard, Queens, NY 11434, within the Jamaica, NY area.
- Geographic District: District 29.
- Model: All-male, college-preparatory school for grades 6–12.
- Founding Principle: To empower young men of color to achieve their desired educational, career, and life outcomes.
- Oversight: Supported by the non-profit Eagle Academy Foundation.
Recent Achievements and 2024-2025 Success Metrics
The data from the most recent school years underscores the academy's effectiveness in student success and academic achievement. These figures are especially notable when compared to state and national averages for this demographic.
- High Graduation Rate: The academy demonstrated a strong overall student achievement, boasting an 83% four-year graduation rate for the 2024-2025 school year.
- College Enrollment: A significant 46% of its graduates pursue further education, a testament to the college-preparatory curriculum.
- Class of 2024 Distinction: The academy celebrated the success of its Class of 2024, which included Valedictorian Matthew Okurenjoku and Salutatorian Jerimiah Bowden, highlighting individual scholarly excellence.
- Financial Support: In a show of community and corporate backing, the Eagle Academy for Young Men in St. Albans (Queens) received a notable $10,000 grant from AXS TV and Spectrum.
- Athletic Prowess: The Eagle Academy III Basketball team has also garnered attention, achieving a high ranking (#8) as of late 2025, demonstrating success beyond the classroom.
The Five Pillars of the Eagle Scholar Model
What truly differentiates the Eagle Academy model from traditional high schools is its holistic approach to character and leadership development, which is interwoven with a rigorous academic schedule. This model is centered on a unique social structure and a dedicated mentorship program.
1. The Houses System: Cultivating Core Values
The school utilizes a "Houses System," a structure designed to foster a sense of belonging, competition, and collective responsibility among the students, or "Eagle Scholars." This system is explicitly designed to promote the institution's Five Core Values of the Eagle Scholar.
The Five Core Values that guide every Eagle Scholar are:
- Confidence: Fostering self-belief and assurance in their abilities.
- Leadership: Instilling the skills and responsibility to guide and influence others positively.
- Effort: Emphasizing the value of hard work and dedication in all pursuits.
- Academic Excellence: Setting high expectations for scholarly achievement and intellectual rigor.
- Resilience: Building the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties and persevere through challenges.
This structure ensures that character development is not relegated to a single class but is a continuous, competitive, and supportive part of the daily school experience.
2. The Mentorship and Advisement Structure
Mentorship is the cornerstone of the Eagle Academy experience. From the moment a scholar enters the school, they are provided with dedicated advisors and supportive mentors. This is a crucial element of the educational model, aiming to provide the guidance and positive role models often missing in the lives of young men in underserved communities.
The school actively integrates external partnerships to enhance this support, including the NYC Mentoring Program. These mentorships offer students a direct line to professional guidance, life advice, and exposure to diverse career paths, effectively bridging the gap between the classroom and the real world.
Advanced Curriculum and Career Pathways
The curriculum at Eagle Academy for Young Men of Southeast Queens is described as challenging and rigorous, specifically designed to prepare students for college and career success. The focus is on creating scholars who are both globally conscious and globally competitive in a rapidly changing world.
Success Via Apprenticeship (SVA) Program
One of the most unique offerings is the Success Via Apprenticeship (SVA) Program. This Career and Technical Education (CTE) initiative provides students with hands-on, vocational experience, allowing them to explore viable career pathways beyond the traditional college route. The SVA program ensures that students graduate with both academic credentials and practical skills, making them highly competitive in the job market or for further specialized training.
The academy also provides comprehensive Special Education Programs and services, ensuring that all scholars, regardless of their learning needs, have access to the resources required to achieve academic excellence.
The Eagle Academy Foundation and National Impact
The success of the Queens academy is part of a larger, ambitious vision spearheaded by the Eagle Academy Foundation (EAF). The EAF recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of transforming the lives of thousands of young men of color.
The Foundation’s long-term goal is nothing short of national expansion. Recognizing that the challenges faced by urban young men of color are not unique to New York, the EAF is actively working to replicate its successful model across the country. This expansion plan is driven by the proven results of the network's schools, which consistently show better educational outcomes—including higher graduation rates—than state and national averages for this population.
The ultimate aim is to create a powerful, enduring ecosystem of support that prioritizes joy, belonging, learning, and leadership, thereby transforming communities one Eagle Scholar at a time. The Queens campus serves as a vital blueprint for this nationwide urban education reform movement.
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