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Nonprofit founders outline plan for Bronx vocational and health-care pipeline school
Summary
Founders of The Learning Route presented a nonprofit plan for single-gender middle schools feeding a coed high school that would provide health-care certifications, vocational training, mentorship and partnerships with hospitals and colleges.
Founders of The Learning Route presented a nonprofit school proposal to the Education, Culture and Youth Services Committee that would offer single-gender middle schools and a coeducational high school focused on vocational training and health-care career pathways for Bronx students.
Derek (founder/executive director) and Alexandria Bose (academic director) described a model that starts with separate middle schools for boys and girls to build academic confidence and then transitions students into a coed high school offering career-focused coursework, dual-enrollment college classes and industry certifications such as CNA, medical billing/coding and EMT training.
Derek said the nonprofit is already established as a 501(c)(3) and is seeking a permanent facility in the East Bronx, workforce and hospital partners, and community partnerships. He framed the proposal as serving underserved Bronx neighborhoods and immigrant families and argued that the school would supply locally trained health-care workers to area clinics and hospitals. The presenters described a five-year target of serving about 1,000 students through the pipeline.
Alexandria described intended program elements: STEM-enriched after-school clubs, field trips to hospitals and college labs, mentorship from high school students to middle school students, and dual-enrollment opportunities so seniors can leave with college credits and career certifications. The presenters said single-gender middle schools are intended to raise math performance and reduce distractions while coed high school would build collaboration and workforce readiness.
Committee members asked about next steps. Derek said The Learning Route is operating as a nonprofit and prefers to remain a flexible, stand-alone nonprofit school rather than a traditional district-run or charter model, citing concerns about program constraints under DOE rules and a city charter cap. Committee members suggested visiting existing models such as the Bronx STEAM Center, offered introductions to community board facilities and land committees, and asked the presenters to develop partnerships with CUNY and local hospitals.
Presenters did not request or receive a committee vote; the exchange was informational and the presenters requested outreach and introductions to potential partners and a facility.
