Celebrating Achievement, Ambition, and the BAHS Class of 2026

Hello Families,
As we head into the final stretch of the school year, there is so much to celebrate across Ascend. This time of year always offers an opportunity to reflect on how much our students have grown, from the confidence they bring into classrooms each day to the milestones that remind us what is possible when students are supported, challenged, and encouraged to dream big.

Last Friday, I joined the Brooklyn Ascend High School community at St. Francis College for Senior Signing Day, celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2026 and the many paths our students are preparing to pursue.

For the second year in a row, 100% of BAHS seniors were accepted into a college or university, earning more than 300 college acceptances in total. This fall, students will continue their journeys at schools including Syracuse University, Vassar College, St. John’s University, Hunter College, Baruch College, and Macaulay Honors College.

Just as meaningful, 75% of the graduating class will be the first in their family to attend college, an incredible milestone for our students, families, and the broader Ascend community.

Students also reflected on many of the experiences that shaped their time at BAHS, including school-coordinated trips to Spain and Egypt to explore UNESCO World Heritage sites and a visit to Albany this winter to meet with State Senators Kevin Parker and Jessica Ramos and advocate for resources and equity for their fellow students.

Before the ceremony, I also had the opportunity to speak with members of the graduating class about the futures they will be preparing for in college, including diplomat, CEO, civil engineer, Professor of English Literature and much more. Their ambition, confidence, and sense of possibility were clear throughout the day.

Student Body President Christopher Sylvester closed his remarks with a Maya Angelou quote that beautifully captured the spirit of the ceremony: “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.”