In December 2025, a moment of celebration unfolded at Success Academy High School of the Liberal Arts in Brooklyn, New York, that would leave a lasting impact on the school’s community. Olivia Connie-Perkins, a 17-year-old senior, made headlines after being announced as the first student from the Brooklyn campus to be accepted into an Ivy League institution, specifically Brown University. This achievement sparked an extraordinary reaction from her peers, culminating in a viral video that resonated widely across social media.
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As the school’s principal delivered the news over the intercom, students erupted into cheers, applauding their classmate’s remarkable accomplishment. The heartfelt enthusiasm from her classmates was palpable; many stood, drumming on desks and shouting in jubilation. Connie-Perkins expressed how their reaction highlighted the supportive nature of the Success Academy community. “It made me realize how great our Success Academy community is,” she said. “We always celebrate each other and our accomplishments.”
This joyous moment was not merely an isolated incident but rather a testament to the culture entrenched within the Success Academy framework. Myra Blain, a Senior Leader at the Brooklyn campus, reflected on the significance of this achievement within the larger context of the school’s mission. “This is the ninth year in a row of 100% of Success Academy graduates being accepted to a four-year college, including many acceptances to elite or Ivy League schools,” Blain explained.
Connie-Perkins’ acceptance holds particular importance for the Brooklyn campus, which was opened just a year prior in 2022. With its inaugural graduating class this year, her achievement marks a significant milestone in the school’s fledgling history. While she becomes the first at her school to gain admission to an Ivy League university, Blain noted that she is one of many from the Success Academy network who have reached such heights.
The ethos of the school revolves around a holistic educational approach aimed at preparing students for future academic success from an early age. This foundational philosophy reflects not only in Connie-Perkins’ accomplishments but also in the collective support displayed by her classmates during this memorable announcement. The excitement observed in the classroom is a poignant demonstration of how the community rallies around one another. “It proved that our culture is defined not just by individual excellence, but by the way we lift each other up,” Blain commented.
For Connie-Perkins, the supportive environment at Success Academy has played a pivotal role in both her academic and personal development. She acknowledged her gratitude for having access to a school that not only fosters educational achievements but also encourages exploration of diverse interests. “I know that many children do not get these same opportunities,” she stated. “My hope is that more children are given access to schools like Success that really believe in them and invest in them.”
Throughout her high school career, Connie-Perkins has taken on a challenging course load, enrolling in nearly a dozen Advanced Placement classes and participating in summer programmes aimed at preparing students for college life. In addition to her academic pursuits, she has embraced her creative passions, founding a student-led club called ‘Yarn Yard’, which focuses on art and crocheting.
Brown University has long been her dream school, as she was enchanted by its beautiful campus and the freedom afforded by its open curriculum. Recently visiting the university, she was struck by the inviting atmosphere and is eagerly anticipating her transition to campus life. “I can’t wait for move-in day!” she expressed with enthusiasm.
As a first-generation college student, this achievement holds exceptional significance for Connie-Perkins and her family. To her, the announcement marks the culmination of all her hard work throughout her academic journey at Success Academy. “Pushing myself to excel academically has always been important to me, so this felt like a culmination of all that hard work,” she shared, reflecting on her years of dedication.
Connie-Perkins’ journey is not simply a noteworthy personal success, but rather an embodiment of the larger mission of Success Academy. Myra Blain conveyed a message of inspiration directed toward the graduating senior, stating, “Olivia, you are an inspiration to future Success Academy classes and students like you – you’ve shown that when you are given access to opportunity and have the drive and discipline to take advantage of it, anything is possible.”
In a world where educational opportunities can vary vastly, the supportive framework provided by Success Academy allows students like Olivia Connie-Perkins to thrive. Her achievement stands as a beacon of hope and motivation, reflecting the potential for greatness within every student when given the right resources and encouragement.