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BrooklynLab Charter School holds convocation for seniors, unveils plans for campus expansion

The joy-filled event celebrated what students have achieved so far in the school with a focus on college prep.

Rob Flaks

Sep 18, 2025, 5:26 AM

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BrooklynLab Charter School celebrated its students returning to the classroom this week with a convocation ceremony.

The joy-filled event celebrated what students have achieved so far in the school with a focus on college prep, with university logos where past students have gone, decorating the walls and the stairs.

"The mission is to get them to college, to get them through - get them to succeed and to have the life skills always," said school CEO Garland Thomas-McDavid.

Students tell News 12 they have a dedicated college prep course, and their curriculum is tailored to where they want to spend their college career. They say the pressure of the school is a privilege that keeps them on track.

"I feel like if I weren't in a school like this, I wouldn't be pushed enough to go to college. I'm taking AP stat and chemistry, I'm going to be an engineer," said senior Peter Lawerence.

The school also highlighted the support and resources such as financial aid and additional support services that students can continue to tap into after they graduate the school, which Thomas-McDavid says is proud to graduate 100% of its classes.

The school also unveiled to the students the plan to expand the current five-floor Dumbo Campus to the three floors above their current site, where new classrooms, science labs and a full-size gym will allow them to increase their head count from 850 students to 1,000.

"We are leveling our building up like we level our students up, we are taking STEM to the next level and giving more space for students to have elective classes and space, Thomas Mcdavid said.

She tells us the mission of the school is personal to her, telling students in her speech the same message she gave her son when he graduated their last year, that they are models for their peers and community.

"I told him that you are an example of what Black boys do after 12th grade, and they will look up to you, and your example," she said.

The construction of those additional floors is expected to be complete in 2027.

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