Who Can Apply

• New York City residents applying for Kindergarten, 1st grade, or 2nd grade

Cost & Access

• Tuition-free public charter school
• No entrance exams or interviews required

How Seats Are Awarded

• Seats are allocated through a public lottery
• Lottery procedures comply with New York State charter school requirements

Application & Timing

• Families submit an online application
• A lottery is conducted after the application deadline
• Applicants who apply after the deadline, or when seats are full, are placed on a waitlist

Transparency & Equity

The lottery process is open, non-selective, and designed to provide equitable access for all applicants.

Core Academics

• Daily structured literacy instruction
• Phonics-based word study using Fundations
• Reading of award-winning texts
• Writing portfolios to develop early writing skills

• Daily math instruction using Illustrative Mathematics
• Focus on conceptual understanding and problem-solving

• Hands-on, inquiry-based science using Amplify Science

Classroom Model

• Class sizes capped at 25 students for personalized learning

Daily Enrichment

• Music (daily, beginning in Kindergarten)
• French language instruction (beginning in Kindergarten)
• Art
• Health & Fitness
• Technology and internet safety

School Culture

• Supportive, inclusive, and respectful classroom communities
• Teachers focus on knowing students as individuals

Statewide Benchmarks

Many New York State students do not meet proficiency in English Language Arts and Math by upper elementary grades, emphasizing the importance of strong early foundations.

Citywide Benchmarks

The NYC Department of Education prioritizes early literacy and math development for long-term student success.

Charter Sector Context

Data from the NYC Charter School Center shows that NYC charter students, as a group, outperform district averages on state assessments in later grades. (This is sector-level data, not school-specific.)

Key Initiatives

• NYC Reads – phonics-based literacy
• NYC Solves – strengthening math instruction

Program Alignment

• Structured literacy
• Daily math instruction
• Hands-on science
• Daily enrichment supports whole-child development

• Tuition-free public charter school with a transparent, non-selective lottery
• Structured early literacy, math, and science instruction in Kindergarten through 2nd grade
• Small class sizes (max 25 students)
• Daily enrichment including music, French, art, health & fitness, and technology
• Program approach aligns with NYC’s literacy and math priorities