East River Academy

Students 18 years old and older with no maximum age requirement, who are detained or serving time on Rikers Island, receive academic services from East River Academy (ERA). Classes are provided by certified teachers within the NYCDOE and NYS approval as an HSE preparation program.

These students are entitled to educational services if they:

(1) Are under 21 as of September 1st of that school year (or under 22 if the student gets special education services);

(2) Do not have a high school diploma or High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma; AND

(3) Have been in jail, or expect to be in jail, for 10 or more days. Students who are 18 years old and older and are entitled to educational services must “opt in” to get those services.

Students can opt in by filling out a Request for Educational Services Form. This form should be provided to the student at intake, but can also be found in the student’s housing area, the law library, and various program areas. The form should be filled out and turned in to the “Grievance/Education” box in the student’s housing area. If the student cannot find the forms or has any questions, the student should talk with their housing area officer or Counselor, the Captain for Programs or the Deputy Warden for Programs.

The academic curriculum at East River Academy is designed to help students get a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma. East River Academy is on a trimester grading system and students earn credits based on completion of their coursework during a trimester.

All students at ERA work with a Transition Specialist while attending school to prepare the plan for their return to the community.