Most students hear that college is the place where they will finally learn to think independently, to express themselves with confidence, and to have control over what they want to learn. But at early college programs such as Bard High School Early College (BHSEC) Bronx, that process begins before many students are even old enough to drive. That difference is what makes early college education so important.
At BHSEC, students are not only prepared for college in theory — they experience it every day. The school combines a traditional high school education with a free college program that allows students to earn an associate in arts degree in addition to their high school diploma.
We have seen the impact this model has on our borough — from both inside the classroom as a founding student, and from outside as a public servant and champion of the Bronx — and we know that when given the opportunity, Bronx students rise.
As a student at BHSEC Bronx, my time at this relatively new school has given me countless opportunities to grow both as a student and as a leader. Joining this school as part of the founding class was a risk — it was completely new — but I would not change this experience for anything.
In our junior year, when we officially enter the college program, we take seminar-based classes and build our own schedules based on our interests — from humanities subjects such as romantic literature to science and math courses such as computer science and number theory. In these classrooms, we are not only expected to complete assignments, but are encouraged and expected to ask questions and participate in discussions.
This style of learning teaches us intellectual confidence. Seminar discussions require students to speak thoughtfully, listen carefully, and understand that learning is not just about following instructions, but also about developing our own ideas. Instead of waiting until adulthood to be treated as serious thinkers, we begin developing that identity while still in high school.
And it’s these higher expectations and collegiate atmosphere that all Bronx students deserve.
As a Bronx state senator, I know that experiences like Ariella’s do not happen by accident. Programs such as BHSEC Bronx exist because educators, institutions, and public leaders make a deliberate decision to invest in students and expand access to opportunities that have historically been out of reach for many young people.
For communities like the Bronx, where too many students still face barriers to academic advancement, these investments are not luxuries — they are necessities. That’s why I am proud to champion initiatives that help students access the resources, programs, and support systems needed to succeed.
Guided by the belief that every student deserves the chance to reach their full potential regardless of their ZIP code, I secured state funding to strengthen and expand BHSEC Bronx, ensuring that Bronx students can benefit from the same transformative opportunities that have shaped my own educational journey.
Experiences like BHSEC Bronx are important because they teach students that school is not just a place for preparation, but a place where possibilities begin. Especially in the Bronx, where students do not always have access to programs that challenge them academically, opportunities like BHSEC Bronx can be life changing.
We’ve seen the value of this model from different perspectives, but our experiences lead to the same conclusion: more schools like this are needed in the Bronx because talent and potential are everywhere…but access is not.
Thompson is a rising 12th-grader at Bard High School Early College Bronx. Sepulveda is the state senator for Bronx’s 32nd district.