One of 36 new "small schools" that opened its doors in fall 2006, BCAM is a community-focused initiative modeled on the principle of small learning communities to foster student achievement. These "small schools" began with only 9th grade students and have filled a succesive grade each year. 2010 will mark the first graduating class—approximately 100 students—of BCAM and its fellow "small schools."  Eighty percent of incoming students selected BCAM as their first choice in its opening year. In successive years, this percentage has risen even higher.

"Small schools" are based on partnerships between the New York City Department of Education and nonprofit education and community organizations. BCAM's partner is the Institute for Student Achievement, a nonprofit organization funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

2009-2010

Mixed Grade
Staceyann Chin, The Other Side of Paradise, memoir writing workshop

Grade 9
Coe Booth, Tyrell, performance workshop

Grade 11
Patricia McCormick, Purple Heart, fiction writing workshop

Grade 12
Isamu Fukui, Truancy, fiction writing workshop

2008-2009

Grade 9
Rita Williams-Garcia, Like Sisters on the Homefront, fiction writing workshop
Coe Booth, Tyrell, fiction writing workshop

Grade 11
Kevin Powell, Some Day We'll All Be Free, rhetoric and oratory workshop
Erin Patton, Under the Influence: Tracing the Hip-Hop Generation's Impact on Brands, Sports & Pop Culture
Alissa Quart, Branded: The Buying and Selling of Teenagers, a study of propoganda aimed at teens

2006-2007

Grade 9
Coe Booth, Tyrell, Fiction Writing Workshop (2 visits)
Willie Perdomo, Where A Nickel Costs A Dime, Poetry Writing Workshop (2 visits)
Rita Williams-Garcia, Like Sisters on the Homefront, Fiction Writing Workshop (2 visits)

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