Published: March 18, 2010

Most education advocates and parents in District 29 agree that the Eagle Academy for Young Men, an all-boys middle and high school, is an exemplary program that deserves a home in Queens.

   But that home, they argue, should not be IS 59 in Springfield Gardens, a school that serves students in grades sixth through eighth.

   Eagle, which the Department of Education also considered incorporating into the newly phased-out Jamaica High School, was established to help boys and young men from underprivileged backgrounds get a fair shot at academic success. In addition to offering programs such as male mentoring and Saturday SAT courses, the school makes it mandatory for students to perform community work and hold internships.

   While the program has myriad strengths, many parents say boys as old as 17 and 18 do not belong in the same school building with girls as young as 11 and 12.

   “I believe that to co-mingle physically mature boys with young ladies who might be growing faster physically than maturing mentally would be a grave mistake,” said Kyle Bragg, vice president /director of the residential division of SEIU 32BJ United. “Our communities are plagued with many problems, drugs, violence, unemployment, but also teen pregnancy. The debate that has been taking place is not about the value of the Eagle Academy. Knowing the reputation of the Eagle Academy, the community would welcome it with open arms.”

   Alicia Hyndman, a parent and president of the Community District Education Council for District 29, agrees that her district would benefit from the Eagle Academy, but says IS 59 worked hard to receive an “A” grade on the DOE’s 2008-2009 Progress Report, and that the school has earned the right to simply be left alone so it can continue improving.

   “The creation of K-8 grade schools in District 29 has hurt the enrollment of our middle schools, like IS 59,” Hyndman said. “However, IS 59 has managed to become an A school with this lower enrollment so why would the DOE want to ruin a good thing?”

   Hyndman noted that IS 59 is not on any of the lists that the DOE creates to monitor underachieving schools.

   “IS 59 is not on the SURR (Schools Under Registration Review) list, nor the SINI (Schools In Need of Improvement) list, nor the SRAP List (Schools Requiring Academic Progress), nor are they on the AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) list,” she said.“Therefore, why tamper with success?”

   A town hall meeting to discuss Eagle Academy will take place on Saturday, March 20 at noon at IS 59, located at 132-55 Ridgedale St. in Springfield Gardens. The public is encouraged to attend.