Since its launch in September 2025, the HBCU Early College Prep School, led by Dr. Asya Johnson, has attracted immense interest as the nation’s first high school of its kind. A testament to its appeal, the school received over 1,000 applications for only 100 spots in its inaugural class. The school’s core mission is to foster “a community of learners dedicated to academic excellence, diversity, societal contributions and social justice.”
Johnson, creator of the school, told ABC News, “There’s just not enough exposure to HBCUs across the country. We talk about college and college access, but we do not spend enough time celebrating the history and the data around it.”
She also told New York Amsterdam News in a separate interview, “We have to start right now to be able to not only give them a quality education, but give them the experience so that they can see what they can be. [The] more exposure that they see people in fields where people look like them, the more competent they feel to go out and pursue these careers.”
When asked about the biggest challenge in her crucial role as the founder and principal of the first and only HBCU High School, Johnson told Essence: “Since opening our doors, we’ve received significant outreach from HBCU graduates, community-based organizations, and various partners eager to support our mission. The biggest challenge I’ve faced has been managing the tremendous interest from external organizations.”
She continued, “While this enthusiasm is both flattering and welcomed, it has required me to develop the difficult skill of saying no to organizations that don’t align with our school’s mission and vision. Authentic alignment with our values and our student needs must come first. Protecting the integrity of our mission means being selective and intentional about every partnership we pursue.”
Johnson explained that Graduates of HBCU Early College Prep High School will earn both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree from Delaware State University (DSU). This is possible because students are dually enrolled, taking both high school and college classes, which allows them to accumulate 64 tuition-free college credits by their senior year.
In addition, these scholars receive automatic admission to DSU and benefit from mentorship provided by DSU Presidential Scholars to help them stay focused and successful.
Johnson revealed that student “scholars” are actively engaged in local community work. For instance, in physics class, students partner with NYCHA residents to collect data, refine designs, and propose scalable solutions for public housing issues. This major module requires applying physics principles to design, build, and test affordable, renter-friendly solutions for apartment safety and health concerns.
The proud principal further highlighted several extracurricular activities that expand student learning beyond the classroom. For example, during the winter recess, a group of students traveled to Ghana for a week-long trip.
There, they engaged in community service at a local junior high school, establishing connections with students across the diaspora. A significant part of their journey was a visit to Cape Coast, the departure point where their ancestors were forcibly taken, making it a profoundly meaningful experience that links them to their history and heritage.
According to her, students also participate in various extracurricular activities designed to build confidence, skills, and community. They participate in the Young Debaters team, the HBCU Band, and female self-empowerment programs in partnership with the Greater Queens Links, Inc. Furthermore, in collaboration with the 100 Black Men of America, Inc., students gain financial literacy through programs such as the KAPPA League and the Junior Investment and Stock Market Challenge.
Johnson said her students have been a source of valuable lessons. She said, “Being a 14-year-old college student is no easy feat. They are simultaneously adjusting to rigorous college coursework, navigating the social dynamics of high school, and juggling multiple extracurricular activities. Despite these demands, every single one of our scholars has proven themselves dedicated to earning top grades while maintaining their passion for learning. Already, they have identified the specific HBCUs they are interested in, demonstrating both vision and intentionality about their futures.
“They are teaching me what’s possible when schools provide students of color with the right opportunities to be challenged, coupled with the appropriate amount of support. Their potential becomes limitless.”
A native of Philadelphia, Johnson boasts an impressive twenty-year career. Before becoming the Principal of HBCU Early College Prep High School in Queens, NY, she completed an extensive educational journey. She earned her B.A. from HBCU, Delaware State University, followed by an M.Ed. from Holy Family University. Her higher education continued with an Ed.M. from Bank Street College and culminated in an Ed.D. from Drexel University.
Johnson had previously served as a principal in both the South Bronx and Harlem. She also notably helped develop special education instruction for incarcerated youth at the Rikers Island correctional facility.
