You
Are Invited!
Join us October 15 at The East Wing for LION’s 2026 Fall Social: Beyond the Borough! Help us raise $50,000 to bring learning beyond the classroom for our K–8 students.
Pride In Our People
K-12 Charter School Hunts Point, Bronx
Here, character matters. Our power comes from the deep bonds we form between students, families, and staff, uniting our community.
Join Our Pride
Watch: We Are LION
At Leaders In Our Neighborhood (LION) Charter School, we are committed to developing character and fostering academic excellence.
We are the largest independent K-12 charter school in New York City and a tuition-free public school. As three schools under one charter, we serve nearly 1,000 students who have the opportunity to attend a school that supports them from kindergarten through college.
Why Lion?
Passion for learning, self-discovery, leadership, and social conscience are the foundation for success in college and fulfillment in life.
With our family partnership and character development model, we focus on supporting students as they develop the skills and traits they need through rigorous academics, self-reflection, and family engagement.
Family Engagement
- Family meetings, retreats, and student-led conferences
- Monthly workshops for families and students
- Community resources, printing services, and WiFi access
- LION Cares Pop-ups
Our Lasting Impact
0%
graduation rate for the LION class of 2025
0%
average increase in 3-8 NYS ELA scores and 10% in 3-7 NYS math from 23-24 to 24-25 school years
0%
of our graduates enroll in college in the first two years after high school
0%
staff retention rate
Experience Lion For Yourself!
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Academics
Learning Doesn't Take a Break
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Academics
LION Charter School Students Receive 47 Prestigious AP Awards
We are thrilled to announce that LION Charter School students received 47 awards for their…
Celebration
Honoring Excellence
This past June, LION community members gathered for our High School Baccalaureate Ceremony, celebrating the…
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🦁 LION Pride on the big stage! 🦁
We’re proud to share that our High School Principal, Matthew Hittenmark, will be presenting at the 2026 New York Charter Schools Conference this Friday! 🎤
In his session, “From Vision to Practice: Building LION’s Portrait of a Graduate Through PBLA,” he`ll share how our high school team is turning our vision for every LION graduate into real, everyday classroom learning. 📚✨
📍 NYCSC 2026
🗓️ Friday, October 23
⏰ 10:15–11:00 AM
Attending the conference? Stop by and support Mr. H! Congratulations on this well-deserved opportunity! 👏💙
#LIONCharterSchool #LIONPride #NYCSC2026 #PortraitOfAGraduate #CharterSchools #HuntsPoint #SouthBronx #BronxEducation
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A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for LION Charter School’s 2026 Fall Social: Beyond the Borough!
Last night was an incredible reminder that it truly takes a village, and we are so grateful for ours!
It was a wonderful evening bringing together staff, alumni, and community members in support of unforgettable learning experiences for our elementary and middle school students.
As LION alum Makense shared, these are “life-changing experiences,” and our students deserve nothing less!
Thanks to your generosity, our students will walk in the footsteps of our nation’s founders in Philadelphia, discover the wonders of marine life in Mystic, experience the magic of Broadway, and build confidence and character through overnight adventures beyond New York City.
To our incredible sponsors, supporters, and everyone who helped make this evening possible, thank you for believing in our students and the opportunities they deserve!
And if you couldn’t join us, there’s still time to make a difference! Visit the link in our bio to donate and help our students go Beyond the Borough!🦁💛💙
#lioncharterschool #prideofhuntspoint #madeinthebronx #nyc #charterschool
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Just TWO days until Beyond the Borough!
The excitement is building as we get ready for LION Charter School’s 2026 Fall Social this Thursday, October 15, at The East Wing in Manhattan!
We have an incredible evening planned with great food, drinks, wonderful company, and some fantastic raffle prizes!
Feeling lucky? You could win a relaxing Catskills getaway, a luxury photography experience, a New York City hotel stay, an unforgettable boat tour, and so much more!
And while we’re looking forward to a great night, we’re even more excited about what this evening will make possible for our students.
Our goal is to raise $50,000 to give nearly 700 LION elementary and middle school students the opportunity to explore beyond the classroom. From Broadway performances and trips to Mystic Aquarium to discovering history in Philadelphia, these experiences open doors to new interests, adventures, and possibilities.
Thursday, October 15 | 5:00 to 8:00 PM
The East Wing | Manhattan
Still thinking about joining us? There’s time to be part of this special evening!
Tickets, raffle opportunities, and donations are available through the link in our bio.
We can’t wait to see you!
🦁💛💙#lioncharterschool #prideofhuntspoint #madeinthebronx #nyc #charterschool
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🏐💛 BUILDING A TEAM, ONE GAME AT A TIME 💙🏐
Our Middle School Women’s Volleyball team took the court this week, and Coach Mejia saw plenty to be proud of.
“We did very well. There are a few things we need to work on, but they played well,” Coach Mejia shared.
For this team, the season is about more than what happens on the scoreboard. It is about learning, improving, and growing together.
Coach Mejia says the goal for the rest of the season is simple: “Continue to improve, continue to become a better team, and become one as a family.”
We can’t wait to watch this team continue to grow throughout the season! 🏐💛💙
📸 Special thanks to Jayden, LION’s 10th-grade Social Media Intern, for capturing these photos!
#LIONCharterSchool #LIONVolleyball #MiddleSchoolVolleyball #StudentAthletes #PrideOfHuntsPoint #MadeInTheBronx #BronxSports #NYCCharterSchools
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FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON FOR LION FLAG FOOTBALL! 🏈🦁
In just their second game, our team earned their first victory, and they did it in dramatic fashion!
Down a touchdown with just two minutes left, the team refused to give up. Quarterback Abimael stayed composed, kept his teammates focused, and helped lead us to an incredible comeback and a ONE-POINT WIN! 🔥
Coach Calosso credited the team’s growth in mental preparation, energy, and resilience. “Despite being down a touchdown with two minutes remaining, our quarterback demonstrated exceptional leadership, maintaining composure and ensuring his teammates remained mentally engaged and committed to the objective.”
After learning some valuable lessons in their inaugural game, the team came back stronger in Game 2. Now, LION Flag Football is 1-1!
Congratulations to our student-athletes and Coaches Cesar and Calosso on the first of what we hope will be many LION Flag Football wins! 💛💙🏈
📸 A special shoutout to 10th grader Jayden, LION’s Social Media Intern and photographer, for capturing the action!
#LIONCharterSchool #LIONFlagFootball #PrideOfHuntsPoint #MadeInTheBronx #FlagFootball #StudentAthletes #BronxSports #NYCCharterSchools
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Thinking about LION High School for next year? Come see what we’re all about!
Join us Wednesday, October 7 at 5:00 PM for our Virtual High School Information Session!
Hear directly from LION High School leadership and discover what makes our high school a place where students can learn, grow, explore their interests, and prepare for what comes next. We’ll talk academics, programs, student life, our school community, and answer your questions live.
Spanish translation will be provided.
Whether your child is a current LION eighth grader or your family is new to LION and interested in applying to our High School for next year, we want to see you there!
Register today through the link in our bio!🦁💛💙
#lioncharterschool #prideofhuntspoint #madeinthebronx #nyc #charterschool
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Back in the win column! ⚽🦁
Congratulations to LION Men’s Soccer on a big win Wednesday!
Thiago led the way with FOUR goals, earning the team’s first hat trick of the season and then adding one more for good measure. 🔥⚽⚽⚽⚽
Coach Morris saw plenty to be excited about beyond the scoreboard, including younger athletes stepping up and a team that keeps growing as the season moves forward.
“There were a lot of positives Wednesday. We saw some good signs from the younger kids who were really stepping up,” Coach Morris shared.
The goal from here? “We want to build momentum into the playoffs.”
Next up, our team is back on the field Monday. Good luck, LION! Let’s keep it going! 💛💙🦁
And a special thank you to 10th grader Jayden, LION’s Social Media Intern, for capturing the photos from the game! 📸
#LIONCharterSchool #LIONSoccer #PrideOfHuntsPoint #MadeInTheBronx #BronxSoccer #StudentAthletes #NYCCharterSchools
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Three LION Seniors. Three big dreams. One incredible achievement. 🦁🎓
Congratulations to Heleen, Leslie, and Yanaira, who have been awarded New York State Scholarships for Academic Excellence!
We sat down with these three outstanding seniors to talk about what helped them succeed at LION, the teachers who have shaped their lives, and where they hope their paths will take them next.
For Heleen, transferring to LION in 10th grade meant finding both greater academic challenges and the support she needed to meet them.
“The moment I came to LION, I realized things are definitely more challenging here. But I have the support system that will make me more successful.”
Leslie has this advice to younger students:
“Time management is key. If you want to succeed, you need to know how to manage everything that you are going to have on your plate.”
And Yanaira reminded students not to let other people determine the path they take:
“Each person has a different pathway to their life. Grades do matter, though, and I think that’s what got us here.”
Leslie is dreaming of journalism. Yanaira sees medicine in her future. Heleen has her sights set on law. All three are hoping their next chapter might include NYU.💜
We are so proud of what these Seniors have already accomplished, and we can’t wait to see where they go next.
Congratulations, Heleen, Leslie, and Yanaira! 💛💙🦁
#LIONCharterSchool #SeniorLions #PrideOfHuntsPoint #MadeInTheBronx #Scholarship #AcademicExcellence #CollegeBound #NYCCharterSchools #BronxStudents #ClassOf2027
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Calling all prospective LION High School families!
Interested in learning more about LION Charter High School? Join us for one of our upcoming High School Information Sessions or Open House to learn more about our school community, academics, programs, student life, and what it means to be part of the LION family!
830 Hunts Point Ave, Bronx, NY 10474
Virtual Information Sessions:
October 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM
March 10, 2027 at 5:00 PM
In-Person Open House:
February 10, 2027 at 5:00 PM
PLEASE REGISTER BY CLICKING THE LINK IN OUR BIO.
We look forward to meeting you!
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We’re thrilled to invite you to LION’s 2026 Fall Social: Beyond the Borough!
Join us on Thursday, October 15 at 5:00 PM at The East Wing for an incredible evening bringing together friends, families, partners, and supporters of LION as we celebrate our community and raise funds to create even more opportunities for our students.
Enjoy great food and drinks, connect with our community, and celebrate everything that makes LION so special. We’ll also have some incredible raffle prizes and experiences up for grabs!
Together, we’re raising $50,000 to help our students go Beyond the Borough, with experiences, opportunities, and resources that expand their learning and expose them to everything NYC and beyond has to offer.
We hope you’ll join us for an incredible night and help us reach our goal. Let’s show our incredible students the world!
Get your tickets or make a donation by clicking the link in our bio. 🦁💛💙
#lioncharterschool #prideofhuntspoint #madeinthebronx #nyc #charterschool
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High School Back to School Night was a HUGE success! Thank you to all of our families and students who joined us for “A Day in the Life of Your Student” schedule!
Throughout the evening, families had the opportunity to follow their student’s schedule, visit each class, meet teachers and staff, and learn more about what their student is learning in the classroom. Families also received important information about upcoming assignments, exams, class expectations, and events.
It was wonderful to see our families and staff connect, build relationships, and come together to support our students. This is what a true LION Family looks like: families who show up, stay connected, and support their students no matter the distance!
Thank you to everyone who made the evening so special. We can’t wait to see our families again at our upcoming events!🦁💛💙
#lioncharterschool #prideofhuntspoint #madeinthebronx #nyc #charterschool
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We’re excited to welcome our newest LION High School Student Ambassadors! Our Student Ambassadors serve as leaders and representatives of our school community by welcoming new students and families, supporting school events, assisting with tours and special programs, representing student voice, and helping families feel connected to the LION community. Throughout the year, they will build their leadership skills while making a positive impact on our school community. Here they are on day 1, serving as LION High School’s unofficial welcoming committee. Thank you to the High School Director of Family Engagement, Ms. Bautista, for being the driver of our ambassador program and guiding our awesome students. Keep up the wonderful work, ambassadors!🦁💛💙
#lioncharterschool #prideofhuntspoint #madeinthebronx #nyc #charterschool
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Our LION scientists are already heating things up!
Our 5th and 8th grade scientists jumped right into hands-on labs—collaborating, measuring, experimenting, analyzing, and putting their scientific thinking to work.
We love seeing our middle school students start the year with curiosity, teamwork, and a willingness to explore. This is just the beginning!🦁💛💙
#lioncharterschool #prideofhuntspoint #madeinthebronx #nyc #charterschool
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We’re Back!
Check out our wonderful LION students, staff, and families as they welcomed the 2026-2027 school year! We enjoyed hearing about summer and all of the awesome ways that our scholars continued to demonstrate leadership in our community and the world at large. Stay tuned for more awesome updates as we continue to kick off this year immersed, engaged, and excited! 🦁💛💙
#lioncharterschool #prideofhuntspoint #madeinthebronx #nyc #charterschool
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For 20 years LION has been rooted in the Hunts Point community helping serve and celebrate the
individuals who make it special. This commitment is mirrored by community members who selflessly give their time so others may be afforded opportunities. One such individual is LION graduate Donavan Rice. Donavan is known for his dynamic work as a creative director, dance instructor, and choreographer who blends NYC underground, hip hop, and vogue to create powerful, story driven pieces. To give back and actively support our community Donovan has tirelessly worked to bring dance to LION students by supporting Mr. Williams with the high school dance team, performing at high school events with the dance group he co-founded, and choreographing many alumni/student/staff performances. 🦁💛💙 #lioncharterschool #prideofhuntspoint #madeinthebronx #nyc #charterschool
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Family is at the heart of everything we do at LION. This represents a shared commitment to education, a partnership that pushes us to be better, and a belief that together we lead by example. Kaitlynn Cruz (LION ‘18) and her mom, Sheila, started their journey at LION in 2012, when Kaitlynn was in 6th grade and embody true family partnership. Sheila has been a consistent presence at family events and an active participant in furthering her daughter’s education through LION and beyond. Today Kaitlynn is an English teacher at our high school and fully recognizes the impact LION’s family program had in shaping her career path and a journey that has seen her return to Hunts Point. 🦁💛💙
#lioncharterschool #prideofhuntspoint #madeinthebronx #nyc #charterschool
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When you’re powered by curiosity you don’t settle for easy answers. It’s the hunger to know, to question, and
to grow. This is the curiosity that drove Stephanie Almodovar (‘17) to ask herself who she was and where she was going. A curiosity which set Stephanie on a path to earn a Bachelor of Engineering degree from The City College of New York. Today Stephanie works as a Project Engineer with Wilden in New York City and credits the foundation she developed at LION with helping her pursue her curiosity for STEM and establishing a foundation in an often-male dominated industry.
🦁💛💙#lioncharterschool #prideofhuntspoint #madeinthebronx #nyc #charterschool
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🎉 BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT IS HERE! 🦁📚
Middle School Families, we’re excited to officially welcome you into the 2026–2027 school year! 💙 Join us on Wednesday, September 9th at 4:00 PM for an evening filled with connection, important information, and a chance to learn more about what’s ahead for our Middle Schoolers.
📅 Wednesday, September 9th
⏰ 4:00 PM
📍 Middle School
Come meet our teachers, learn about classroom expectations and routines, and get ready for an amazing year of learning, growth, and LION Pride! 🦁✨
We can’t wait to see you there! 💙
#BackToSchool #MSFamilies #LIONPride #WelcomeBack #FamilyEngagement
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LION HS Families, September is all about staying connected!
Join us for two upcoming family events designed to help you stay informed, connected, and involved in your student’s school experience.
A Day in the Life of Your Student Schedule
Wednesday, September 9th | 5:00–7:00 PM
Experience your student’s schedule, meet their teachers, and get a glimpse into their day at LION!
Parent Tech 101
Wednesday, September 23rd | 4:00–6:00 PM
Learn more about the technology and platforms we use to keep families connected, including TalkingPoints, Swipe, and PowerSchool. We look forward to welcoming our families into the building and kicking off another great school year together!
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For 20 years LION has been powered by character. By the decisions we make when no one is watching. By owning our actions and honoring our journey. Dr. Efosa Erhunmwunse embodies what it means to be guided by
character and is an inspiration to all LION students who follow in her footsteps. As LION’s first graduate to pursue a doctoral degree she not only blazed a trail through her own academic pursuits but in recognizing the problem of PWI complacency she created her own organization aimed at addressing inequities in the physical therapy program at Ithaca College. Efosa has worked to dismantle the walls of power so that future generations are welcomed.
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Join us on Wednesday, August 12, at 830 Hunts Point Avenue for a day of fun, connection, and community!
Families new to middle school only: From 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., you are invited to our Middle School Brunch with the Principal. Meet the principal, ask questions, and learn more about what to expect before the school year begins.
All K-8 families: From 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., you are invited to our Back to School Readiness Fair. We’ll be bringing together community partners and school resources, along with LION Cares, where families can pick up fresh produce, browse clothing, household items, and more. You’ll also have the opportunity to purchase LION branded uniforms and enjoy sweets and treats.
We look forward to seeing you on August 12!
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Justin McMillan was a member of LION Charter school’s founding class of students 20 years ago and is the
true embodiment of a “leader in our neighborhood”. As a student he inspired his peers and teachers to get involved in the Hunts Point community’s long tradition of collective community action. Since graduating Justin has built a successful coffee business but stayed committed to social justice by teaching barista skills to incarcerated men in places like Rikers Island so they might have a chance to rebuild their lives when they rejoin society. We are proud of Justin’s contribution to our community and the legacy of advocacy he has helped LION build.🦁💛💙
#lioncharterschool #prideofhuntspoint #madeinthebronx #nyc #charterschool
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Leadership begins with knowing who you are and what you stand for. This is what drives Celia Sosa as LION’s Chief Executive Officer. Celia began her work at LION in 2007 as a history teacher and later served for twelve years as High School Director before becoming Chief Executive Officer. As a leader who has shaped LION for the past 20 years, she is driven by a core believe that our school should be a place where students develop voice, purpose, and agency. 🦁💛💙
#lioncharterschool #prideofhuntspoint #madeinthebronx #nyc #charterschool
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Twenty years. Thousands of stories. One incredible journey.
Every school has a history. Ours is told through the people who have walked our halls, the families who have trusted us, and the students who have grown into leaders, changemakers, innovators, and role models.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll celebrate the six pillars that have defined LION from the very beginning: Leadership. Social Justice. Character. Curiosity. Family. Community. These values have shaped our school for the past 20 years and continue to inspire every student who walks through our doors.
The stories you’ll read reflect the heart of LION. They celebrate where we’ve been, the community we’ve built together, and the lasting impact our students and alumni continue to make every day. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re excited for the next generation of LION students and all the stories still waiting to be told.
We’re still enrolling in select grades for the upcoming school year. Apply today by clicking the link in our bio and start your own LION story.🦁💛💙
#lioncharterschool #prideofhuntspoint #madeinthebronx #nyc #charterschool
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