NYC school named after Knicks legend Earl Monroe makes splash as first-ever hoops-themed charter

The country’s first hoops-themed school is already a slam dunk for students, officials said.

The Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball Charter School — named after NBA Hall of Famer and Knicks champion Earl “The Pearl” Monroe — saw all 89 students in its first graduating class in June end up enrolled in college.

Last year, the Bronx-based charter was a semifinalist for the prestigious Yass Award for educational innovation.

“We have the freedom to be creative,” said founder Dan Klores, a Peabody Award-winning producer and playwright. “Basketball is a way to reach young minds. It’s common sense.”

Teachers are assigned to track their students during their first year in college and the school offers a “leap year” if graduating students want to stay for a fifth year as they decide their profession or next step in life.

The results have so far been eye-opening both on and off the field, administrators said in a school where 98% of enrolled students are black and Latino, 28% have special needs and the average family income is $30,000.

Next up, a new five-story, state-of-the building is being constructed in Mott Haven, the poorest section of The Bronx.

The school focuses not just on athletics, but the business surrounding professional basketball — ranging from broadcast journalism, business, arena entertainment, sports apparel, nutrition, physical therapy, psychology, print and digital media, the law and marketing.

Students get hands-on experience in many fields, not just sports, and honor students get to study abroad.

Monica Barros, 15-year-old junior interested in medical care and forensic science, participated in a program at the Hospital for Special Surgery and studied in Costa Rica.

She observed the cadaver lab at the hospital.

“I was able to put on scrubs,” Barrios said.

She also plays basketball and softball.

“There’s a lot of opportunities here. I’m really happy,” said Barrios. “It’s like family here.”

Parent Diane Candelario said Monroe turned out to be a good choice for her son, Xavier Melendez.

Xavier brainstormed on a marketing campaign for a new sports clothing line of t-shirts and sweatshirts, which are now being showcased at the NBA store, and he also participated in a fashion show last year.

“It’s a really good school. It keeps the students focused,” said Candelario, whose honor student son wants to become a lawyer.

Academic rigor is embedded in the school’s mission for students, along with getting “practical real world experience” with access to professionals in sports and other fields, said Monroe chief executive officer Emmanuel George.

“You can do both. We run on both sides of the street,” George said.

Many students have business connections before they graduate.

“Students have rolodexes. It’s something that is invaluable. Kids can have these connections,” the CEO said.

Former Knicks great and retired New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley serves on the school’s board of advisors as does basketball Hall of Famer Nate “Tiny” Archibald.

William Wesley, executive vice president of the Knicks, is among the heavy hitters serving on the school’s board of trustees.

Julius Randle, the former Knick star who currently plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves, helped raise money for the school by donating $500 for every 3-point shot he made. The campaign that included others generated $1.3 million.

Meanwhile Klores, the school’s founder, urged politicians, unions and the educational establishment to stop standing in the way of opening more charter schools like Monroe, which offer poor families innovation and choice.

“It’s bulls–t. It has nothing to do with the child. Why can’t you throw down your swords?” he said of resistance to lifting a cap that is blocking more charter schools in the city.

The Post recently reported that students in Bronx charter schools were excelling, scoring 25 percentage points higher on the state’s English and Math tests than neighboring traditional public schools, with pass rates at some charters exceeding 90%.