At the Village Charter School, in Trenton, New Jersey, on the first day of class in the BOYD program, started 11 years ago by Trenton native Bruce Boyd, right, student Copeland Thompson, gets instructed in the way to tie a necktie, part of the dress code for the program, which teaches at-risk middle school students about the opportunities that they have in life. The program focuses on the importance of education and critical thinking.
Michael Mancuso/The Times