The Power of Belonging at Broome Street Academy

At Broome Street Academy (BSA), connection, care, and possibility are at the heart of everything we do. We’re honored to spotlight Ruth D. Caraballo, Admissions and Parent Coordinator, who is often the first face families see and one of the strongest advocates for all that makes BSA a place of belonging and transformation. 

Showing Families the Goodness of BSA 

A Bronx native and Puerto Rican mother of three, Ruth brings joy, focus, and fierce commitment to helping young people find opportunity at BSA. “There’s no such thing as a normal day,” she says with a smile. From tours to conversations with families, Ruth sees herself as a guide: “I’m always selling the school, showing them the goodness of this building.” 

That goodness is rooted in BSA’s unique partnership with The Door, offering students access to healthcare, mental health services, legal aid, daily meals, a food pantry, arts, and job training. With small class sizes, Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) classrooms, and credit recovery programs, BSA ensures that every scholar is seen and supported.  

Ruth shared that one of her favorite moments was seeing a scholar she had recently registered—Christian—already participating in Runaway Homeless Youth (RHY) services and accessing the food pantry downstairs at The Door. That small moment brightened her day because it showed the partnership in action. “It meant they weren’t going to miss out,” she said.  

“This is a real community school,” Ruth adds. “We may not only serve the neighborhood, but we serve young people from all five boroughs and beyond.” 

A Vision for the Future 

Ruth joined BSA in 2022, returned in spring 2025, and now has a simple vision: she wants every BSA scholar to be a Door member and for the school to have a waiting list because “people know how life-changing this place is.” 

Among her favorite programs, Ruth highlighted Future Pathways, which offers postsecondary support to graduates, and daily nutrition and pantry resources that provide meals and groceries to scholars. She also emphasized the impact of legal services, free healthcare, and job training opportunities, programs that offer not just assistance, but possibility. “It’s not just that we feed them breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it’s that they can take food home for their families. That matters.” 

What Keeps Ruth Going 

For Ruth, the motivation is clear: “If I don’t do this work, I don’t know who will. People still don’t know that BSA exists, or that The Door has a charter high school. We’ve been here since 2011, but we’re still one of the city’s best-kept secrets. That must change.” 

Her belief in her scholars fuels her constant effort: “The work never ends. But it’s worth it. All of this is for them.” 

Broome Street Academy (BSA) is a tuition-free charter high school pairing rigorous academics with wrap-around support through its co-location with The Door, a premier youth services organization. This unique model enables students to pursue their highest aspirations. 

To learn more, visit broomestreetacademy.org.