Broome Street Academy Welcomes Derek A. Jones as New Head of School

We are thrilled to announce that Derek A. Jones has joined Broome Street Academy Charter High School (BSA) as the new Head of School. His first day will be July 3. A product of New York City public schools, Jones is a visionary leader with over 35 years of experience in public education in the City. He comes to BSA from New Visions for Public Schools, where as Vice President of District School Support, he oversaw New Visions’ daily operations in 71 DOE schools as well as leading the organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion work.  

Jones began his career as an educator in 1986 as a paraprofessional in Community School District 9 in the Bronx. From 1995 to 2003, he served as a history teacher at Satellite Academy on the Lower East Side. He was then selected to direct the creation of a new Queens-based high school, which became Excelsior Preparatory High School, and served as Excelsior’s Founding Principal from 2004 to 2010. From 2010 to 2012, Jones held the position of Deputy Network Leader for DOE’s Network 404. In 2012, he began his eleven-year tenure at New Visions.

BSA is unique among New York City charter high schools in providing a preference in admission for students who are in foster care or transitional housing. As a result of BSA’s partnership and co-location with The Door, BSA students have immediate access to all the supportive services they may need—including arts and recreation, college prep, and career programs in growing workforce sectors, as well as no-cost health, vision, dental and mental health services.  

“I’m most passionate about seeing students reaching their full potential,” Jones asserted. “The unparalleled support provided by BSA’s unique partnership with The Door is a powerful catalyst for students’ future growth. It’s a privilege to serve the BSA staff and the community in this critical work.”

“Derek’s wealth of experience inspiring multiple generations of students and developing top notch educators makes him uniquely qualified to serve as BSA’s Head of School,” said David Zurndorfer, President of Broome Street Academy’s Board of Trustees. “Especially given the ongoing ripple effect of the pandemic and the resultant school closures, BSA is fortunate to have found a new Head of School with Derek’s aptitude and commitment to helping at-risk students achieve their education and career goals. I am confident that BSA will continue to thrive under Derek’s leadership.”

Jones succeeds Interim Head of School Sarah Weeks, who will remain in her role through June 30, 2023.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Derek to BSA,” said Kelsey Louie, CEO of BSA and The Door. “His breadth of experience as an educational leader and proven track record of success building inclusive settings that serve all students’ needs and result in academic excellence will make him a huge asset to both BSA and The Door. I am deeply grateful to Sarah Weeks for her dedicated service shepherding the BSA community successfully through the tumult and uncertainties of this past year, and I look forward to collaborating with Derek and watching him build on Sarah’s achievements at this pivotal point in BSA’s organizational development.” 

A graduate of The City College of New York, Jones earned an M.S. in Multicultural Education from the College of Mount Saint Vincent and an M.S. in Educational Administration from Baruch College.