Pioneering Alliance with Delaware State University
New York City recently opened its very first HBCU Early College Prep High School in Queens, establishing a collaboration with Delaware State University (DSU). This school gives students the chance to earn as many as 64 tuition-free college credits, equivalent to an associate degree in Liberal Arts, before completing high school.
A Major Step for NYC Education
Welcoming its first group of over 100 ninth-grade students this September, the HBCU Early College Prep High School is guided by founder and principal Dr. Asya Johnson. As an HBCU graduate herself, Dr. Johnson has ensured the school will reflect both the scholarly and cultural legacies of HBCUs, offering experiences like Greek life, Founder’s Day festivities, homecoming, and more signature HBCU celebrations.
Mayor Eric Adams remarked, “This school year marks a new chapter as we invest further in our students’ futures. The creation of seven new schools citywide, including the groundbreaking HBCU Early College Prep High School, enhances programs for students with autism, increases after-school seats, and much more. Our administration is dedicated to honoring the backgrounds and needs of our diverse student population while delivering rigorous academic preparation for lifelong success. A quality education is the foundation for making New York an ideal place to raise a family.”
Advancing Equity and Opportunity
Mayor Eric Adams Sept 2025 at the new HBCU Early Prep High School in Jamaica, Queens Photo credit: Micahel Appleton/MayoralPhotography Office
Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos explained, “For me, the first day of school is always special. Watching my daughter head to middle school reminded me of the trust parents put in our system. We’re determined to provide every student with a premier education that prepares them for achievement. This year, we’re opening new schools, including innovative programs and a device policy supporting focused learning, plus an expansion of NYC Reads and NYC Solves to 186 more schools. It’s an honor to serve as chancellor during such a transformative moment, and I am eager to cheer on our students’ accomplishments.”
Councilmember Kevin C. Riley stated, “I’m extremely proud of the launch of New York’s first HBCU Early College Prep High School in partnership with Delaware State University. This initiative provides academic and cultural enrichment for students, breaking down tuition barriers as we nurture future leaders from our Black and Brown communities. It’s a win for educational opportunity in our city.”
Broadening Reach Across NYC
This HBCU Early College Prep High School forms part of seven newly launched schools across the city—in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island—serving over 500 students and offering specialized career-focused programs.
For the new school year, several large-scale initiatives have also rolled out to benefit the city’s 1 million public school students:
- A city-wide electronic device policy ban on in-school use of smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches.
- The expansion of NYC Reads and NYC Solves, introducing research-driven reading and math curricula to an extra 186 schools.
- The addition of 5,000 new after-school seats across New York City.
A Pathway to College and Career
This new HBCU Early College Prep High School sets a precedent for connecting secondary and higher education while celebrating the impact of historically Black institutions. Merging strong academics, cultural programming, and access to free college credit, the school aims to prepare graduates for post-secondary study and career achievement.
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