Bronx, NY – The Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School marked a major milestone on Saturday with the ribbon‑cutting of its new permanent facility in the Mott Haven neighborhood. The $39.5 million, 70,000‑square‑foot building will serve high‑school students in grades 9‑12, providing a blend of rigorous academics and career‑focused basketball industry training.
Celebration with basketball legends
Former Knicks great Earl Monroe attended the ceremony alongside fellow New York basketball icons John Starks and Stephon Marbury, as well as actor‑comedian Tracy Morgan, a longtime Knicks fan. Monroe emphasized the school’s mission, saying, “If they could take whatever they learn from here, spread it around to the next generation, that’s what it’s all about.”
Curriculum designed for off‑court careers
Founder Dan Klores explained that the school’s two‑year curriculum begins with a strong focus on reading, literacy and mathematics. In the third and fourth years, students transition into specialized courses that prepare them for professions such as sports journalism, analytics, marketing, and other roles that support the basketball industry without stepping onto the court.
“This is a school for the off‑the‑court professions,” Klores said. “They want to be a print journalist, an analyst, a marketer – we give them the tools to succeed.”
Rapid growth and academic success
When the school opened in 2021 at a temporary location, Klores noted that incoming ninth‑graders were reading at a fourth‑grade level. He responded by hiring seven literacy‑enhancement teachers who provided intensive one‑on‑one and small‑group tutoring five days a week. The effort has paid off: the first graduating class of 98 seniors was accepted to college, and enrollment has since grown to roughly 470 students.
Senior Monica Barros, now applying to St. John’s, Stony Brook, SUNY Binghamton, and NYU, said the school’s support helped her aim high. “I feel prepared for any college I choose,” she said.
Junior Elijiah Torres is already planning his future, stating, “My big life plan is I want to pen my own sustainable tech company.” The school’s motto, “A ball and a book can change the world,” reflects this blend of athletic passion and academic ambition.
Community impact
The new campus not only provides state‑of‑the‑art classrooms and training facilities but also serves as a community hub for local families seeking quality education aligned with traditional values. By emphasizing literacy, personal responsibility, and career readiness, the school aims to strengthen families and empower the next generation of Bronx youth.
“If you can encourage a child…what else is there to do,” Klores added, underscoring the school’s commitment to parental involvement and faith‑based principles that guide its approach.
Looking ahead
With its permanent home secured, the Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School plans to expand partnerships with local businesses, sports organizations, and higher‑education institutions to further broaden career pathways for its students. The school’s leadership remains optimistic that the model will inspire similar programs in other communities across the nation.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
