FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What’s a charter school?
Charter schools are tuition-free public schools created by independent groups or organizations that are approved for operation by state agencies.
How is a charter school different from a conventional public school?
Charter schools have more autonomy and flexibility than conventional public schools but are held to extremely rigorous standards to ensure they are meeting their goals. Charter schools have the freedom to develop their own curriculum, choose their own faculty and staff, determine the length of their school day and year, and design their own policies for school expectations and operations. Charter Schools go through an intense renewal process every five years, during which they must demonstrate that they have met their goals and increased student performance.
How does your school’s performance compare to others in New York City?
The Brooklyn Charter School is, historically, one of the highest performing charter schools in New York City. Our school has been in existence for fourteen years, eleven of which have been testing years. We have outscored both the city and district averages for nine of those eleven years. In 2011-2012, we received “Grade A” on our report card and scored in the 92nd percentile of schools. See how we compare on key parameters.
Is any child eligible to attend the Brooklyn Charter School?
Any and every child from all New York City boroughs or any other location is eligible to attend through a simple application process.
Do you serve students with special needs?
Every child is equally received at The Brooklyn Charter School as we uphold a non-discriminatory policy for all learners. The Brooklyn Charter School provides all Special Education instructional supports including Special Education Teacher Support services, Counseling, Speech & Language supports and Occupational Therapy. Our classrooms are fully inclusive and there are Cooperative Team Teaching rooms at specific grade levels.
What about English Language Learners?
The Brooklyn Charter School has an extremely diverse teaching faculty, speaking several languages, which provides an immediate communicative platform for families and students. Our school also has an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher who meets the needs of our English Language Learners in all grades, K-5.
How much does it cost to attend?
The Brooklyn Charter School is a public school; there is no charge, no tuition costs; education is free.
What’s the application process?
We have a standard application form which you may complete online, download or pick up at the school. The completed form may be dropped off, mailed or faxed to the school. We hold a lottery only for Kindergarten. All applications for grades 1-5 are accepted and wait-listed for available space based on the date we receive the application. For additional information, click here.
When and where is the lottery?
The lottery is usually held in April of each year in the school’s Auditorium, on the first floor at 5:00 p.m. on the selected day.
When will we find out if our child is selected?
If you attend the lottery, you will find out immediately. On the day after the lottery, we telephone all families to notify them of acceptance; we also immediately mail an acceptance letter to the family.
How does the wait list process work?
In Kindergarten, after the lottery, students are wait-listed according to the sequential outcome of the lottery. For all other grades, students are wait-listed according to the date of their application. When space becomes available we contact each family to offer placement based on the date of the application.
What are the school’s hours?
School hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; Fridays are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Is after care available?
We provide select after-school programs for which students enroll by choice. There is no after-care.
How long is the school year?
The school year is 180 days long and since The Brooklyn Charter School is co-located in a Department of Education (DOE) building, we follow the DOE calendar with all conventional holidays and vacation periods.
Do you provide transportation to school?
Students who live within a 5-mile radius of the school are provided with Yellow Bus service. Other students are provided with MTA Bus & train passes. We have bus matrons on each school bus to ensure students safety to and from school.