BRONX, N.Y. (WABC) — The Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School has opened its permanent home in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx, marking a milestone for the charter school founded to connect academics with basketball-related career opportunities.
Former Knicks star Earl Monroe joined the celebration alongside former New York basketball favorites John Starks and Stephon Marbury, as well as actor and longtime Knicks fan Tracy Morgan.
The school’s new facility is a $39.5 million, roughly 70,000-square-foot building serving students in grades 9 through 12. According to school leaders, students spend their first two years focused on reading, literacy and math before moving into specialized courses connected to basketball.
Monroe said he hopes students will use what they learn to benefit future generations.
“If they could take whatever they learn from here, spread it around to the next generation, that’s what it’s all about,” Monroe said.
Founder Dan Klores said the school was designed to prepare students for careers connected to sports beyond playing on the court.
“This is a school for the off-the-court professions, they want to be you…they want to be print journalist, analytics and marketing,” Klores said.
The school first opened in 2021 at a smaller temporary location. At the time, Klores said incoming ninth-grade students had an average reading level of fourth grade.
“I hired 7 literacy enhancement teachers, we went to work with these kids, 5 days a week one on one, one on two,” Klores said.
School officials said all 98 students in one class were accepted to college, a success they say continues as enrollment has grown to roughly 470 students.
Senior Monica Barros said she has applied to several colleges.
“I’ve applied to St. John’s, Stony Brook, SUNY Binghamton, NYU,” Barros said.
Student Elijiah Torres said he is already thinking about his future career goals.
“My big life plan is I want to pen my own sustainable tech company,” Torres said.
The school’s motto is “A ball and a book can change the world,” a message Klores said reflects its mission.
“if you can encourage a child ..what else is there to do,” Klores said.
———-
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Download our connected TV app
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.