Ellis Graduation Gallery

A graduate has personalized her graduation gown.
A student wears a sash decorated with both the U.S. and Mexican flags at the Ellis Preparatory Academy commencement ceremony at University of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York. Yunuen Bonaparte for Chalkbeat (Yunuen Bonaparte for Chalkbeat)
A graduate has personalized her graduation gown.
A student wears a sash decorated with both the U.S. and Mexican flags at the Ellis Preparatory Academy commencement ceremony at University of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York. Yunuen Bonaparte for Chalkbeat (Yunuen Bonaparte for Chalkbeat)
A woman in a green dress speaks to a crowd in the audience.
ELLIS Principal Norma Vega acknowledges Dylan Lopez Contreras, an ELLIS student detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Yunuen Bonaparte for Chalkbeat (Yunuen Bonaparte for Chalkbeat)
People mill around outside a red brick building
Students gather outside the ELLIS Prep graduation ceremony for the class of 2025 on a sweltering June day in the Bronx. Yunuen Bonaparte for Chalkbeat (Yunuen Bonaparte for Chalkbeat)
People with cameras photograph graduates.
Parents and friends in the audience record graduates as they receive their diplomas at the ELLIS Preparatory Academy commencement ceremony at University of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York. Yunuen Bonaparte for Chalkbeat (Yunuen Bonaparte for Chalkbeat)
Graduates in blue gowns are on stage.
Graduates in the class 2025 walk the stage to receive their diplomas at the ELLIS Preparatory Academy commencement ceremony. Yunuen Bonaparte for Chalkbeat (Yunuen Bonaparte for Chalkbeat)
The Latest

In a dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor called the decision ‘indefensible.’ Education Secretary Linda McMahon has said the job cuts are a first step toward eliminating the department, although a legal challenge to the layoffs can continue in the lower courts.

Despite the judge’s ruling, officials at American Paradigm Schools charter network, which operates Memphis Street Academy, say they expect to continue to operate the school this fall.

Students will be expected to demonstrate that they are global citizens and critical thinkers to graduate. How they will be assessed remains an open question.

A federal district court judge ordered the restoration of some AmeriCorps staff and funding on July 7. But the group’s work could still be significantly disrupted for some time due to the Trump administration’s attempts to cut its spending.

The withheld funds pay for after-school programming, teacher training, and support for English learners. Trump administration officials said the funds are under review due to suspicion they have been ‘grossly misused to subsidize a radical leftwing agenda.’

Republican Rep. Mark White and Sen. Brent Taylor said the pending $6 million independent financial audit of MSCS will inform their next moves. Both introduced bills to create state-controlled boards in charge of the district that failed this spring.