The country\u2019s first hoops-themed school is already a slam dunk for students, officials said.<\/p>\n
The Earl Monroe <\/a>New Renaissance Basketball Charter School \u2014 named after NBA Hall of Famer and Knicks champion Earl \u201cThe Pearl\u201d Monroe<\/a> \u2014 saw all 89 students in its first graduating class in June end up enrolled in college.<\/p>\n Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball Charter School logo. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post<\/p>\n Earl Monroe, former Hall of Fame New York Knicks player at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Earl Monroe New Renaissance basketball school. Tomas E. Gaston<\/p>\n Illustration of the five-story Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball Charter School. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post<\/p>\n Last year, the Bronx-based charter was a semifinalist for the prestigious Yass Award for educational innovation.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have the freedom to be creative,\u201d said founder Dan Klores, a Peabody Award-winning producer and playwright. \u201cBasketball is a way to reach young minds. It\u2019s common sense.\u201d<\/p>\n Teachers are assigned to track their students during their first year in college and the school offers a \u201cleap year\u201d if graduating students want to stay for a fifth year as they decide their profession or next step in life.<\/p>\n The results have so far been eye-opening both on and off the field, administrators said in a school where 98% of enrolled students are black and Latino, 28% have special needs and the average family income is $30,000.<\/p>\n Susan Fraleigh, executive director of the Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball Charter School, checking a student\u2019s work in the Bronx. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post<\/p>\n The Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball Charter School, a brick building with a cross on top. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post<\/p>\n A sign with a basketball going into a hoop, and the text \u201cRISE TO THE OCCASION\u201d and \u201cEARL MONROE NEW RENAISSANCE BASKETBALL SCHOOL.\u201d Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post<\/p>\n Next up, a new five-story, state-of-the building is being constructed in Mott Haven, the poorest section of The Bronx.<\/p>\n The school focuses not just <\/a>on athletics, but the business surrounding professional basketball \u2014 ranging from broadcast journalism, business, arena entertainment, sports apparel, nutrition, physical therapy, psychology, print and digital media, the law and marketing.<\/p>\n Students get hands-on experience in many fields, not just sports, and honor students get to study abroad.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tStart your day with all you need to know\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMorning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Monica Barros, 15-year-old junior interested in medical care and forensic science, participated in a program at the Hospital for Special Surgery and studied in Costa Rica.<\/a><\/p>\n She observed the cadaver lab at the hospital.<\/p>\n \u201cI was able to put on scrubs,\u201d Barrios said.<\/p>\n She also plays basketball and softball.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of opportunities here. I\u2019m really happy,\u201d said Barrios. \u201cIt\u2019s like family here.\u201d<\/p>\n Carmelo Anthony and Earl Monroe at Madison Square Garden. Charles Wenzelberg\/New York Post<\/p>\n Earl \u201cThe Pearl\u201d Monroe posing in his Winston-Salem State University basketball uniform. AP<\/p>\n School leader Jared Quiza checking on students attending Biology class. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post<\/p>\n Parent Diane Candelario said Monroe turned out to be a good choice for her son, Xavier Melendez.<\/p>\n Xavier brainstormed on a marketing campaign for a new sports clothing line of t-shirts and sweatshirts, which are now being showcased at the NBA store, and he also participated in a fashion show last year.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a really good school. It keeps the students focused,\u201d said Candelario, whose honor student son wants to become a lawyer.<\/p>\n Academic rigor is embedded in the school\u2019s mission for students, along with getting \u201cpractical real world experience\u201d with access to professionals in sports and other fields, said Monroe chief executive officer Emmanuel George.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can do both. We run on both sides of the street,\u201d George said.<\/p>\n Many students have business connections before they graduate.<\/p>\n Students attend English\/Spanish classes with teacher Natalie Gomez. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post<\/p>\n Students at the Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball Charter School collecting their cellphones outside the school building. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post<\/p>\n Students in History class at the Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball Charter School. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post<\/p>\n \u201cStudents have rolodexes. It\u2019s something that is invaluable. Kids can have these connections,\u201d the CEO said.<\/p>\n Former Knicks great and retired New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley serves on the school\u2019s board of advisors as does basketball Hall of Famer Nate \u201cTiny\u201d Archibald.<\/p>\n William Wesley, executive vice president of the Knicks, is among the heavy hitters serving on the school\u2019s board of trustees.<\/p>\n Monroe cheering during a Knicks game. Charles Wenzelberg\/New York Post<\/p>\n College pennant flags from institutions such as Princeton, Michigan State, Davidson, NC A&T, Wesleyan, and Alabama A&M on a wall. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post<\/p>\n Julius Randle<\/a>, the former Knick star who currently plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves, helped raise money for the school by donating $500 for every 3-point shot he made. The campaign that included others generated $1.3 million.<\/p>\n Meanwhile Klores, the school\u2019s founder, urged politicians, unions and the educational establishment to stop standing in the way of opening more charter schools like Monroe, which offer poor families innovation and choice.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s bulls\u2013t. It has nothing to do with the child. Why can\u2019t you throw down your swords?\u201d he said of resistance to lifting a cap <\/a>that is blocking more charter schools in the city.<\/p>\n