Leaders In Our Neighborhood (LION) Charter School unites students, families, and staff in empowering every student to achieve their best academically, in sports, the arts, and in service to the community. We believe passion for learning, self-discovery, leadership, and social conscience are the foundation for success in college and fulfillment in life.
Character First, Excellence Always
Who We Serve
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Students
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Families
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Students with special needs
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Multilingual Learners
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Latinx Students
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Black or African American Students
Our Community
Hunts Point
We believe education is a community-wide responsibility. As a community member of Hunts Point, LION strives to strengthen the student experience through respect for a neighborhood shaped by resilience and renewal. We honor the challenges and strengths of this community and are committed to unlocking the potential of every student and family we serve.
Elementary & Middle School
730 Bryant Avenue, Bronx NY, 10474
High School
830 Hunts Point Avenue, Bronx, NY 10474
LION History
Founded in 2006, Leaders In Our Neighborhood (LION) Charter School is a public, K-12, college-preparatory school serving over 1,000 students, over 700 families, and almost 600 alumni in the Hunts Point neighborhood of the South Bronx.
We are the largest independent K-12 charter school in New York City. Our academic and character programming emphasize college and career readiness, social and emotional wellness, and personal growth to ensure our students receive the support they need to achieve their full potential.
LION Charter School Timeline
2005
LION Charter School's first charter begins.
2006
LION opens its doors for the first time, beginning with Kindergarten and 6th grade.
2009
First year of High School (housed in 730 Bryant with Elementary and Middle Schools) First Middle School Stepping Up Ceremony as 8th graders transition to High School.
2010
First Elementary Stepping Up Ceremony, as 3rd graders transition to Middle School.
2011
Doors open to LION's new High School building, the first new education building in Hunts Point in over 30 years.
2012
LION's first year as a full K-12 school.
2013
LION's first high school commencement.
2016
LION celebrates 10 years of educational excellence in the Bronx.
2017
LION's first alumni graduate from college.
2019
LION's first Kindergarten class graduate from high school.
2026
LION's 20th Anniversary
Pillars
Character
We are guided by our conscience and honor our journey.
Character is a set of moral or ethical traits that guide our behavior and decision-making. It is the core of who we are, and serves as our moral compass. Our character is deeply rooted in our values and informs how we show up both publicly and when no one is watching.
Leadership
We strive to be agents of change.
Leadership is the ability to influence, guide, and motivate others towards a common purpose. Leaders seek to motivate and inspire others to be their best and model each of LION’s pillars.
Social Justice
We advocate for ourselves and others.
Social justice is the value of ensuring that everyone has equal rights, opportunities, and treatment, especially those who are marginalized by existing systems of power. It is advocacy through action, active work to remove barriers that create inequality.
Curiosity
We seek to understand and are lifelong learners.
Curiosity is the drive to learn. It involves openness to feedback, asking questions, and critically thinking about perspectives, including our own. Curiosity honors how learning has shaped us and fuels growth.
Family
We value family and school partnerships.
Family is at the heart of everything we do. Family includes relatives and others in our self-defined circle of people who support, stand by, lift up, and hold us accountable. Families shape who we are and how we show up in the world.
Community
We serve, celebrate, and are rooted in our community.
Community connects us all. Community includes collective stakeholders with a shared purpose that is rooted in place, values, and/or experiences. We find community at the crossroads of where we are and who we are.
Signature Practices
Lion 101
LION 101 is our signature onboarding experience to welcome new faculty and staff into our mission-driven community. Participants are introduced to LION’s mission, pillars, and signature practices that guide our work with students and families.
LION 101 fosters a sense of belonging from the start, ensuring every team member understands both the “why” and the “how” behind our approach.
- Team-building strengthens relationships and trust
- Focus on LION’s philosophy, approach, and community engagement
- Introduction to LION’s values, expectations, and shared responsibility for student success
Seminars
Seminars are an integral part of LION Prides and the Family Program, incorporating journaling, self-reflection, and supportive feedback. Seminars invite students, families, and staff to engage with meaningful topics through guided journaling.
Each seminar begins with an opportunity to “clear the decks,” allowing participants to name anything impacting their ability to be fully present.
- Builds emotional awareness and presence
- Opportunity to practice giving and receiving thoughtful feedback in a supportive space
- Self-reflection supports student growth, family engagement, and staff culture
LION Prides
LION Prides bring students and staff together for reflection, dialogue, and shared responsibility. Participants examine their personal growth and the health of the school community.
In LION Prides, we discuss what is working well, what challenges our school is facing, and how community and world events impact learning and relationships. These conversations empower students and staff to think critically, listen deeply, and take ownership of shaping a just and supportive school culture.
- Opportunity for collective reflection
- Discuss the state of the school, challenges, shared goals
- Examine local and global issues and their effect on the LION community
School Meetings
School Meetings bring students and faculty together to discuss issues affecting school culture, the Bronx community, the country, and the world. These gatherings create a shared space where voices are heard, perspectives honored, and lived experiences are valued as sources of learning.
- Encourage critical thinking, empathy, and civic awareness
- Connects personal experiences to broader social issues
- Learn from one another through dialogue, listening, and reflection
Senior Reflection
Senior Reflection guides students through intentional self-reflection throughout their senior year, inviting them to examine their growth as individuals by reflecting on their character, family relationships, academic journey, and sense of purpose.
Students gain insight into their strengths, challenges, and aspirations through structured conversations and feedback as they prepare to transition into college, careers, and adulthood with self-awareness and integrity.
- Encourages self-awareness and personal accountability
- Helps students process feedback and articulate goals for their future
- Strengthens confidence and readiness for life beyond LION
Faculty Feedback
Faculty Feedback invites students to play an active role in shaping their learning environment by providing thoughtful feedback to their teachers during class meetings and reflecting on teacher strengths and areas for growth.
By valuing student voices, LION fosters a culture of mutual respect and accountability.
- Empowers students to reflect critically and communicate respectfully
- Supports professional growth and reflective practice among faculty
- Fosters authentic partnerships between faculty and students
Student-Led Conferences
During Student-Led Conferences, students take the lead in discussing their academic progress, personal strengths, and areas for growth.
Conferences reinforce LION’s belief that students grow when they are active participants in their own development.
- Reflect on their strengths, challenges, and progress
- Lead meaningful conversations with educators and families
- Set intentional goals for continued academic and personal growth
