Our History
The Arrival of the Society of Jesus in Brooklyn
In 1907, the Diocese of Brooklyn sold land in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn to the Society of Jesus. The following year, the Jesuits opened a school, which would come to be known as Brooklyn Preparatory High School (Brooklyn Prep for short), educating young men in Brooklyn. Most students were the children of Irish and Italian immigrants who had come to the borough during the previous century. Over the course of the first three decades of the school's existence, BP's leadership oversaw several expansion projects, and by 1915, the Jesuits erected St. Ignatius Parish on Carroll Street, the first Jesuit parish in Brooklyn.
During its zenith, Brooklyn Prep educated about 1,000 students annually. Overall, 9,300 alumni and 490 educators passed through its doors. Several of its alumni went on to success in a variety of fields. During its nearly 75 years, BP honored the charge that its founder, Fr. J.F.X. O'Connor, S.J., gave to its first class of 226 students in 1908: "We wish to make you Christian, educated gentlemen. Brooklyn Prep men are RICH – R is for Religion, I for Intellect, C for Character and H for Health.”
By 1968, the Society of Jesus began consolidating and scaling back its nine high schools in the New York area. After much debate, Brooklyn Prep sadly closed its doors in 1972. The property was sold to New York City and eventually became the site of Medger Evers College. The Jesuits continued to administer to St. Ignatius until 2011, when the parish and rectory were also closed.
Brooklyn Prep maintains an extensive and dedicated alumni association. The BPAA hosts annual gatherings of members and classes and maintains regular contact with alumni across the country. The BPAA has also helped steward BJP, donating a significant sum to the school annually. Several BP alumni have also served on BJP's Board of Trustees, or donated independently as well.
During its zenith, Brooklyn Prep educated about 1,000 students annually. Overall, 9,300 alumni and 490 educators passed through its doors. Several of its alumni went on to success in a variety of fields. During its nearly 75 years, BP honored the charge that its founder, Fr. J.F.X. O'Connor, S.J., gave to its first class of 226 students in 1908: "We wish to make you Christian, educated gentlemen. Brooklyn Prep men are RICH – R is for Religion, I for Intellect, C for Character and H for Health.”
By 1968, the Society of Jesus began consolidating and scaling back its nine high schools in the New York area. After much debate, Brooklyn Prep sadly closed its doors in 1972. The property was sold to New York City and eventually became the site of Medger Evers College. The Jesuits continued to administer to St. Ignatius until 2011, when the parish and rectory were also closed.
Brooklyn Prep maintains an extensive and dedicated alumni association. The BPAA hosts annual gatherings of members and classes and maintains regular contact with alumni across the country. The BPAA has also helped steward BJP, donating a significant sum to the school annually. Several BP alumni have also served on BJP's Board of Trustees, or donated independently as well.
The Founding of Brooklyn Jesuit Prep & The Return of the Jesuits
In the fall of 2003, the Society of Jesus, through Fr. Vincent DeCola, S.J., founded Brooklyn Jesuit Prep, over 30 years after the closing of Brooklyn Prep. The school was modeled after Nativity Mission Center, a middle school that served low-income families on Manhattan’s Lower East Side for over 40 years. The Nativity model has been replicated over 60 times throughout the country and around the world.
From its founding, the school's motto was “Honoring the Promise," which was an homage both to Brooklyn Prep's 70-year legacy of offering Jesuit education to young men in Brooklyn and to the idea that each young person possesses an inherent promise that is to be fulfilled during their time at BJP.
The school was located in the old school building of Theresa of Avila parish in the Prospect Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. In 2013, BJP became an independent school, separating from its parent organization, New York Nativity. Over the course of its time in Prospect Heights, BJP educated over 230 students. The student body, mostly Black and Brown students from Central and Southern Brooklyn, reflected the changing demographic trends of Brooklyn during the late 20th century.
In 2017, the Society of Jesus reestablished its Brooklyn community in Crown Heights. Several of the Jesuits living there have become involved in BJP's academics and ministry.
From its founding, the school's motto was “Honoring the Promise," which was an homage both to Brooklyn Prep's 70-year legacy of offering Jesuit education to young men in Brooklyn and to the idea that each young person possesses an inherent promise that is to be fulfilled during their time at BJP.
The school was located in the old school building of Theresa of Avila parish in the Prospect Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. In 2013, BJP became an independent school, separating from its parent organization, New York Nativity. Over the course of its time in Prospect Heights, BJP educated over 230 students. The student body, mostly Black and Brown students from Central and Southern Brooklyn, reflected the changing demographic trends of Brooklyn during the late 20th century.
In 2017, the Society of Jesus reestablished its Brooklyn community in Crown Heights. Several of the Jesuits living there have become involved in BJP's academics and ministry.
Move to East Flatbush
In 2018, BJP's Board of Trustees decided to renovate the old parish school building of St. Vincent Ferrer parish in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn and move BJP there. Erected in 1940, St. Vincent Ferrer had served as a parish for Irish and Italian immigrants, but had gradually become a working-and-middle class Black parish of mostly West Indian and Caribbean immigrants. While the overall structure was sound, the $2 million renovation project sought to bring the building into the 21st century by installing high-speed internet, an HVAC system, and creating 10 state-of-the-art classrooms and several community spaces.
Overseen by BJP's new president, Fr. Mario Powell, S.J., the renovation and move started a new chapter in BJP's history. The school moved closer to the communities it seeks to serve in Central and Southern Brooklyn. It provided a facility fit for rigorous learning. The renovation, which was funded by the Society of Jesus's USA East Province, has been complemented by the school leadership's efforts to ensure the long-term financial health of the school.
Overseen by BJP's new president, Fr. Mario Powell, S.J., the renovation and move started a new chapter in BJP's history. The school moved closer to the communities it seeks to serve in Central and Southern Brooklyn. It provided a facility fit for rigorous learning. The renovation, which was funded by the Society of Jesus's USA East Province, has been complemented by the school leadership's efforts to ensure the long-term financial health of the school.
Click here to learn more about Brooklyn Prep and the Brooklyn Prep Alumni Association.