BCHS Inaugural Art Festival: A Celebration of Student Creativity

BCHS Communications • September 17, 2026

 

For the first time in school history, Bronx Community High School opened its doors to the community and said: come see what our students can do. The BCHS Inaugural Art Festival this spring was more than an exhibition — it was a statement.

Organized by the Visual Arts and Media Arts programs under the leadership of Mrs. Carol Ditmars Houser and Mr. Joshua Afriyie, the festival brought together student work across painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, digital design, and videography. The result was a showcase that stopped people in their tracks.


The work on display reflected the full range of what BCHS students carry — their stories, their neighborhoods, their ambitions, and their creativity. Pieces were thoughtful, technically accomplished, and deeply personal. For many students, this was the first time their artwork had ever been shown publicly. For all of them, it was a moment of recognition they earned.


Staff, community guests, and fellow students moved through the space taking in everything our artists had created. There was laughter, there were conversations, and there were more than a few moments of genuine awe. BCHS is a school that believes in the whole student — and the Art Festival made that belief visible.


This was the first BCHS Art Festival. It will not be the last.  Congratulations to every student who displayed their work, every teacher who guided them, and everyone who came out to celebrate what our school community is capable of creating. 

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Congratulations to the BCHS August Graduating Class of 2026

By BCHS Communications • September 17, 2026
They came in looking for a second chance. They leave with a diploma, a plan, and proof that they had what it took all along. Bronx Community High School is proud to celebrate its August 2026 graduating class. This cohort represents something powerful — students who refused to let their story end without a diploma. Every one of them navigated real challenges, made a commitment to show up, and crossed the finish line on their own terms. That is not a small thing. That is everything. To our August graduates: BCHS has always believed in you, even on the days you were still learning to believe in yourselves. You have earned every moment of this celebration. Your diploma is official. Your future is wide open. To the families, counselors, and staff who supported each graduate along the way — thank you. This accomplishment belongs to all of you. Congratulations, Class of August 2026. Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog. Now go show the world what you've got.

BCHS Students Earn Their ServSafe Food Handler Certification

By BCHS Communications • September 17, 2026
A BCHS diploma is not the only credential our students are earning. This year, Culinary Arts students at Bronx Community High School sat for — and passed — the nationally recognized ServSafe Food Handler Certification. That's not just an achievement. That's a career move. Led by Mr. Rich Harris, BCHS's Culinary Arts and Community Coordinator, the ServSafe program challenges students to demonstrate real knowledge of food safety, sanitation, temperature control, cross-contamination prevention, and professional kitchen standards. These are the same standards used by restaurants, hotels, catering companies, and food service employers across New York City and the country. Passing the ServSafe exam is no small feat. Students had to study, prepare, and show up ready to perform — and they did. Every student who earned their certification walked out of that exam with something tangible: a credential that employers recognize and respect, and proof that the Culinary Arts program at BCHS is the real thing. The ServSafe certification is one of the most in-demand food service credentials in the industry. For BCHS graduates entering the culinary field, it is a competitive advantage on day one — whether they are applying for their first kitchen job, enrolling in a culinary program, or launching a food business of their own. Congratulations to every student who earned their ServSafe certification this year. Mr. Harris and the entire BCHS community are proud of you. You did the work — and you have the credential to prove it.

Celebrating the BCHS June Class of 2026

By BCHS Communications • September 17, 2026
June at BCHS means one thing: caps, gowns, and a room full of people who never stopped believing. The Bronx Community High School June Class of 2026 has officially crossed the stage — and we could not be more proud. This graduating class carried a determination that was visible from day one. These are students who took ownership of their education, built relationships with the adults in this building, and pushed through every obstacle to get here. Their journey was not always easy — but their finish was extraordinary. To our June graduates: you walked into BCHS at a crossroads, and you chose the path that required the most from you. That choice — and everything you did to honor it — is worth celebrating loudly and without reservation. We are grateful to every teacher, counselor, Mission Society staff member, family member, and community partner who played a role in getting these scholars to graduation day. It takes a whole team, and this team showed up. Congratulations, BCHS Class of June 2026. The world is ready for you. And from everyone at Bronx Community High School — we are so proud to call you Bulldogs.