The SBU Academy

Eligibility

Each year, there is limited space in each age-appropriate soccer team and academic grade-level cohort. In addition to being selected based on athletic potential, SBU Academy youth must meet the following eligibility criteria: (1) Participants must live within the Bronx or northern Manhattan (Harlem, Washington Heights, or Inwood). (2) Participants’ family must demonstrate financial need. Generally, family income must be at or below 2.5 times the poverty level. (3) Participants must be enrolled in, or in the process of enrolling in, a 6-12 school, and not be a senior at the time of acceptance. Rising seniors are accepted only in limited cases. (4) Participants must demonstrate a programmatic need. (5) Participants must be able to commit to the full SBU Academy program schedule. Youth who do not meet these requirements are accepted under very limited circumstances only.

Academic Support & College Prep

SBU Academy student-athletes must attend at least two sessions of academic programming per week during the school year. Middle school students attend the after-school tutoring to receive help with homework, study skills, test prep, language skills, and overall academic development. They also attend discussion groups and academic enrichment clubs. Academic programming for 9th graders, Freshman Foundations, supports their transition into high school and begin their preparation for college. Students in grades 6 to 9 are assigned specific afternoons to attend between Monday through Friday, 3:30pm until 6pm.

In 10th grade and 11th grade, student-athletes must attend academic sessions two evenings each week, where they work in English or Math academic groups, focus on NYS Regents exam preparation, or receive SAT Prep tutoring. High school seniors work through the college identification, application, financial aid, and enrollment process with the Director of College Guidance. Seniors are matched with a Mentor for additional individual support. Most academic programming is held inside the Boys Prep Charter School.

After high school graduation, SBU Academy student-athletes transition into alumni. They continue to receive support through the College Success Program including mentorship and individual guidance counseling from the Director of College Guidance and Alumni and the College Success Coordinator.

Travel Soccer

Travel soccer gives South Bronx youth the opportunity to travel outside their neighborhoods, participate in quality soccer training, and compete at a high level. SBU Academy student-athletes compete on one of nine competitive travel soccer teams: Girls U14, U16, U19 & Boys U12, U14, U15, U16, U17, U19. Older youth can also compete on the SBU Mens or Women’s Alumni teams.

Teams compete year round and train two times per week during the fall and spring and one or two times per week during the winter. Teams are affiliated with the East New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), US Youth Soccer, and US Club Soccer and are members of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) and the Westchester Youth Soccer League (WYSL). Teams also compete in the New York Club Soccer League (NYCSL) and EDP and may attend tournaments during the year. Each year, at least one high school team completes a multi-day out-of-state trip which includes a soccer tournament, college visits, sightseeing, and character building.

Families contribute a $100 annual registration fee. In cases of severe financial hardship, families can submit a financial assistance for a partial or complete waiver.