A new presence in the South Bronx
Success Academy (SA)—one of the nation’s largest and highest-performing public charter networks—educates 22,000 students, primarily from low-income backgrounds, across 60 New York City schools. With a deep focus on college preparedness, SA was founded on the belief that all children can excel when given access to exceptional teaching and learning environments. For its first ground-up building, the network charged SOM with creating a 310,000-square-foot K–12 “school of the future,” with every aspect of the architecture supporting and reflecting SA’s schooling practice.
Located in the South Bronx, a community historically underserved by public infrastructure, the new building introduces a dignified and aspirational presence. Across its interconnected structures, SA will educate 2,400 scholars each year and ultimately graduate thousands of students prepared to thrive in college. Just 20 minutes from Midtown Manhattan, the campus is also designed as a destination for educators, policymakers, and civic leaders seeking to understand what is possible in American schooling.
The architecture resonates with the character of its neighborhood while establishing a new landmark for public education. Its facade reinterprets the classic brick schoolhouse through contemporary design—custom green-glazed masonry forms vertically stacked pyramids that give the exterior depth and texture while remaining cost-effective. Inside, abundant daylight, natural finishes, and landscaped spaces communicate a powerful message about the value of education.
