Participating Schools

The Bronx Charter School for Children (BCSC) is a public elementary school that serves a multi-cultural community of learners in grades K-5. Its vision is 'to empower children to meet and exceed high academic standards, develop a life-long passion for learning, make healthy choices, and become community leaders.' Highlights of BCSC's academic program include: integrating literacy and math skills into all content areas; utilizing a standards-based, workshop model approach to instruction while retaining a strong focus on experiential, constructivist learning; and, providing Spanish instruction to students in grades 3, 4, and 5. In order to recruit and retain high quality teachers and encourage career growth, BCSC is committed to embedding professional development in practice with multiple levels of support for all faculty members.

Principal: Marilyn Calo

Family Life Academy Charter School (FLACS), a non-profit charter school, opened its doors in 2001. Today, FLACS serves over 400 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Its mission is to "empower all K-8 students to achieve high standards, help them take responsibility for their own learning, and encourage them to explore and affirm human values." In order to meet the particular needs of the surrounding South Bronx community, which has a large percentage of students living in poverty and many having limited English language proficiency, FLACS strives to create a strong school community dedicated to life-long learning for students, parents, teachers, and staff members.

Principal: Laura J. Silver

Hebrew Language Academy Charter School (HLA) is a dual language public elementary school that serves over 315 K-3 students, with plans to expand to grades three, four, and five by the 2013-2014 school year. Founded in 2009, HLA's mission is to provide a nurturing yet rigorous early childhood dual language program committed to fostering academic excellence and a high degree of Hebrew language proficiency. HLA incorporates Hebrew language instruction across the curriculum through a partial immersion proficiency model. The schools’ student-centered approach to teaching and learning is reflected in its use of the workshop instructional model and differentiated instruction.

Principal: Christina Tettonis

Hellenic Classical Charter School (HCSS) provides a rigorous classical education to students in kindergarten through eighth grade. HCCS uses the Core Knowledge curriculum supplemented with the classical study of Greek and Latin, history, art, and cultural studies. Teachers utilize didactic instruction, coaching and Socratic questioning (Paideia) as instructional techniques in the classroom.

Principal: Genie DePolo

Manhattan Charter School (MCS) is a public elementary school that serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Its mission is to "prepare its students to achieve high academic levels in the four core academic subject areas and music, to communicate effectively in verbal, mathematical and musical languages, and to apply critical thinking processes and ethical standards to learning, living and problem solving." In addition to the core disciplines of math, English language arts, science, and the humanities, MCS provides its students with intensive daily music instruction. The music program is designed to reinforce, develop, and enhance all areas of learning including reasoning, information processing, memory, and other cognitive skills.

Principal: Carolyn Thomas

Opened in 2000, Merrick Academy serves approximately 500 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. "The schools program includes an innovative research-based academic curriculum, a strong emphasis on core skills, academic enrichment, an extended school day, and a high degree of individualized instruction."

Co-Principal: Stacey Gauthier

The Renaissance Charter School serves over 500 predominantly minority students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Its mission is to "foster educated, responsible young leaders who through their own personal growth will spark a renaissance in New York." The study of New York - its geography, history, culture, people, and economics - is the central curricular theme of Renaissance. Teachers use a "three-tiered curriculum" consisting of core studies, project-based learning, and community involvement to prepare students for the world of work in the 21st century. In addition to the core subject areas, students take classes in fine arts, music, dance, drama and chorus.

Principal: Evelyn Hey

South Bronx Charter School for International Culture and the Arts is a dual language public elementary school for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The school provides a "constructivist and child-centered curriculum". The dual language program at South Bronx respects the dominant language of each of its students and uses it to help students learn a second language. Depending on their level of fluency, students might have up to 50 percent of instruction provided in a second language.

CEO and Principal: Ronald Tabano

John V. Lindsey Wildcat Academy Charter School (JVL) provides students ages 15-21 with the personalized educational experiences they need to build successful futures by overcoming the economic, social and personal challenges that caused them to fail in other high schools. Its goal is to help students obtain their high school diploma and pursue higher education in order to become productive members of society. A critical design element of JVL is its internship program, arranged by the school with various host employers at work sites throughout the city, and where students learn about the world of work while also earning money and course credit. JVL has campuses in two locations in the metropolitan NYC area

Principal: Marc Donald

John V. Lindsey Wildcat Academy Charter School (JVL) provides students ages 15– 21 with the personalized educational experiences they need to build successful futures by overcoming the economic, social and personal challenges that caused them to fail in other high schools. Its goal is to help students obtain their high school diploma and pursue higher education in order to become productive members of society. A critical design element of JVL is its internship program, arranged by the school with various host employers at work sites throughout the city, and where students learn about the world of work while also earning money and course credit.  JVL has campuses in two locations in the metropolitan NYC area

Head of School and Principal: Charlene Reid

Bronx Charter School for Excellence (BCSE) educates more than 300 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Its mission is "to prepare young people from New York City to compete for admission to and succeed in top public, private and parochial high schools by cultivating their intellectual, artistic, social, emotional and ethical development." The challenging academic program offered at BCSE was designed to create a firm foundation that places elementary students on the path to college. Professional development for teachers is ongoing and differentiated. Staff is rewarded for high performance with discretionary bonuses and performance-based salary increases.

High School Principal: Fred Givens

Located in the South Bronx, "the mission of the Bronx Preparatory Charter School (Bronx Prep) is to prepare underserved middle and high school students for higher education, community involvement and lifelong success through a structured, caring environment of high academic expectations." Bronx Prep educates approximately 700 students in grades five through 12. Students must complete a rigorous college preparatory program and receive at least one college acceptance in order to graduate. Highlights of the program include: extended school day and extended school year; academic intervention services for all students regardless of level of performance; enrichment program; artistic program; annual field lessons (trips) that take students out of the school and beyond New York City; and summer programs.

Acting Interim School Leader: LaToiya Tolliver-Revell

Challenge Preparatory Charter School (CPCS) currently serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Ultimately, CPCS will provide instruction through eighth grade. Its mission "is to prepare students to excel academically and compete successfully for admission to high-performing public, private and parochial high schools in NYC." CPCS provides a college preparatory program beginning in kindergarten. Highlights of CPCS’ program include: an extended reading block; double periods of mathematics; daily instruction in science and social studies; extended school day and school year; new musical instruments for every child; two hours of enrichment activities (music, art, gym, dance) daily; and, SMART TM Board Technology and laptops in every classroom.

Principal: Eve Colavito

Located in East Harlem, DREAM Charter School currently serves students in kindergarten through third grade. It continues to expand and, ultimately, will educate students through eighth grade. To meet the needs of all students, including students receiving special education services and English Language Learners, all general education teachers co-teach with either a Special Education teacher or a teacher of English as a Second Language. Health and wellness education is a fundamental component of the overall curriculum.

Head of School: Peter Anderson

Future Leaders Institute Charter School (FLI) serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade. FLI's mission is "to expand opportunities for students who historically have had limited access to rigorous academic instruction, and to empower them to make informed, deliberate decisions so that they may lead socially responsible, productive lives." Its curriculum emphasizes FLI’s Core Values for Social Justice - leadership, compassion, respect, responsibility, effort, and truth. Highlights of FLI’s program include: rigorous academic programs and a social curriculum that includes systematic character education; daily enrichment programs in the arts and physical education; in-school social services for students and families; supplemental activities such as community volunteer opportunities for students and field trips outside of the NYC area.

Executive Director: Brian Ferguson

Founded in 2002, Our World Neighborhood Charter School (OWNCS) serves elementary and middle school students (K-8) in two locations in the most ethnically diverse neighborhood in the United States. Its educational philosophy is based on inquiry, active and experiential learning, and social justice. OWNCS developed "The Ten Pillars of a Positive Community", a set of values which form the foundation of the school community: kindness, friendship, courage, respect, truth, responsibility, self-discipline, fairness, perseverance, and citizenship. In addition to the core subjects of math, science, language arts, and social studies, students study Spanish (beginning in Kindergarten), music, art, physical education, and filmmaking.

Executive Director: Brian Ferguson

Founded in 2002, Our World Neighborhood Charter School (OWNCS) serves elementary and middle school students (K-8) in two locations in the most ethnically diverse neighborhood in the United States. Its educational philosophy is based on inquiry, active and experiential learning, and social justice. OWNCS developed "The Ten Pillars of a Positive Community", a set of values which form the foundation of the school community: kindness, friendship, courage, respect, truth, responsibility, self-discipline, fairness, perseverance, and citizenship. In addition to the core subjects of math, science, language arts, and social studies, students study Spanish (beginning in Kindergarten), music, art, physical education, and filmmaking.

Principal: Carol A. Smith

The COMMUNITY Charter School serves students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Highlights of its program include: small class sizes with a teacher and a teacher’s aide, extended day and year, an after-school program, an asset development program ("a set of 39 positive qualities, skills, experiences, and opportunities that are critical in the lives of students"), student portfolios, and individual learning plans.

Chief Executive Officer Jill Norton

The Enterprise Charter School (ECS) educates students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Its motto is "Engaging young minds through projects and partnerships." ECS offers conflict resolution training, instruction based on the New York State Learning Standards, innovative teaching methodologies such as project-based learning, art, music, physical education, health, technology, foreign language at all grade levels, before and after school programs, and differentiated instruction. In addition, all students are expected to complete two culminating projects per school year.

Head of School: John Ashwood

Oracle Charter School (OCS) serves students in grades nine through twelve. Its mission is to "provide a college preparatory education that empowers all students with the knowledge and skills to become responsible citizens, able to meet life’s challenges and succeed." All students participate in a Freshman Orientation program that provides additional opportunities to reinforce and strengthen students’ English and Math skills. Juniors take a College Prep class that assists students in the college search and application process. Advanced Placement classes are also available. Graduation requirements include the successful completion of all coursework, submission of a graduation portfolio, 20 hours per year of community service work, and a formal internship in which seniors work two days per week.

Head of School: C. Dzierba

South Buffalo Charter School (SBCS) serves children in kindergarten through eighth grade. SBCS is committed to being a professional learning community with a "focus on learning [that] is driven by research, data and collaborative reflection to increase student achievement". Key design elements of the SBCS program include: professional learning communities, New York State Standards-based curriculum, character education, integrated technology, extended school day and year, high levels of parent engagement, and on-going, extended staff professional development.