A ball and a book can change the world.
Turning Passion into Opportunity
At the Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School, we’ve set out to ensure that our students’ futures are filled with possibility—whether they play the game or not.
We are committed to the belief that the magic and excitement of basketball extends beyond the court into professions that are accessible to our graduates.
Forging New Role Models
The school will help students from some of NYC’s most challenging neighborhoods see beyond the hardwood to find hope and opportunity. We want them to be inspired not just by players, but by recognizable and respected role models from professions related to basketball.
Mark Tatum
NBA Deputy Commissioner and COO
Vasu Kulkarni
Partner, Courtside Ventures
Rich Paul
Founder and CEO, Klutch Sports Group
Michele Roberts
Former NBPA Executive Director
Jackie MacMullan
Sportswriter
Marv Albert
Sportscaster
Mike Anderson
Head Basketball Coach, St. John’s University
Building on a Track Record of Success as Teachers
Our leadership as educators has long been inspired by the potential of non-traditional teaching environments.
Seven years ago, school founder Dan Klores created the New Renaissance Basketball Association (RENS) to help historically disadvantaged youth attain college admissions and scholarship awards. Over the years RENS has supported more than 250 student athletes with 99% of all seniors receiving full college scholarships.
Grounded in the unparalleled learning and experience from RENS, Klores and NBA icon Earl Monroe were inspired to dream bigger and open the nation’s first high school entirely designed around basketball.
A School for the Community
The school will be located in NYC’s 7th School District in the South Bronx—a testament to our commitment to equity and serving the most disadvantaged children.
District 7 has the third highest poverty rate and economic need index in NYC, and its four-year high school graduation rate is 23 points below the State average (57% vs. 80%).
**The School will initially be located in an incubation space in neighboring CSD 8 while the long-term, custom-built, state-of-the-art facility in CSD 7 is built. We anticipate taking occupancy of the long-term facility beginning in the 2024-25 school year.