We encourage our participants to seek the highest standards of scholarship, moral development and physical achievement. Working closely with our membership and their families, our professional staff encourages the emotional, social, physical, educational and vocational growth of the agency’s entire membership and extended family.

The Boys' Club of New York offers many educational opportunities, including the following:
- READ, a literacy program for boys in the second through fourth grades.

- The Independent School Placement Program, which places BCNY boys into competitive independent day and boarding schools nationwide. (Since 1957, BCNY has produced over 1600 independent school placements through the ISP program, which currently has an enrollment of over 200 students.)

- ISP Prep, a program that identifies boys early in their academic years in order to further enhance their candidacy for independent school as they mature and transition through middle school.

- The Robert M. Gardiner School, a summer residential program that provides the academic and social foundation necessary for middle school boys to make the appropriate transition to high school.

- Gardiner School Prep, an initiative designed to help boys prepare academically and mentally for summer residential school and the forthcoming academic year.

- The Writers Series, a highlight of our cultural programming, offering boys the opportunity to engage with important and exciting writings, and with their authors as well. The 2008 roster included Percival Everett, Patricia Smith, Terrance Hayes, and Yusef Komunyakaa. The writers scheduled thus far for 2009 are Kwame Dawes, Jonathan Lethem, and Zadie Smith.

- The Media Center, providing hands-on instruction in graphic design, photography, animation, film and video, and music composition.

- Recreational and athletic activities, including baseball, basketball, swimming, and game rooms.