History

BSSJ would like to acknowledge that we learn and live on the contemporary and ancestral homelands of the Canarsie, Shinnecock and Lenape people. These First Nations people and communities are still thriving here, and we continue to occupy their lands. We recognize the violence, systemic oppression, displacement and colonization contributing to the removal and erasure of these communities. We offer deep gratitude to them, as well as to the Black and immigrant communities which have helped build the city we know today, understanding that all our pasts, presents, and futures are intertwined. This acknowledgment is part of our school’s values; a commitment to moving toward just and compassionate relations with Indigenous people through recognition of our own history and responsibility.

The Brooklyn School for Social Justice (BSSJ) develops a community of young leaders who will demand the best from themselves today and work together for a more just tomorrow. We are committed to providing a challenging curriculum that empowers students to succeed and to be active in the social, cultural, and political lives of their communities and their world. We ensure that every student is held to the highest standards, has constant and consistent opportunities for intellectual engagement and becomes confident in facing the pressing issues of the day.

BSSJ provides a rigorous curriculum that empowers students to succeed in future academic and professional endeavors and to become informed, active citizens. Through a curriculum that is grounded in the humanities and sciences and informed by a commitment to social justice, students receive a comprehensive academic education and opportunities to see the relevance of their education to their lives as citizens in a democracy.