The READY Report

June 2025

Celebrating the End of the School Year and the

Progress We’ve Made Together

Dear Partners and Supporters,

As the school year draws to a close, we’re filled with gratitude and pride—for all that has been accomplished and all that lies ahead.

Thank you to the educators who show up each day with purpose and passion, and to the parents who work tirelessly to meet the evolving needs of our children in pursuit of brighter futures.

Thank you to our school system leaders for your courage to challenge the status quo and your deep commitment to doing what’s right for Rochester’s families. You bring the vision and urgency Rochester’s schools need. We’re proud to support your leadership in this critical moment.

Thank you to our elected officials and business leaders who champion strong public school systems as the foundation of Rochester's growth and sustainability.

In less than two years, READY has grown from an idea into a force for change. Since 2023, we’ve worked to transform education in Rochester through a bold, community-centered strategy—one that aligns local and national philanthropic support with family empowerment, educator leadership, and policy advocacy.

Together, we’ve achieved meaningful progress:

Over 3,000 parents and community members have used the READY School Finder to explore information about Rochester’s public schools and NYS Approved Special Education School programs.
475 more students have gained access to a quality school through READY’s investments in 6 local schools.
17 caregivers have become advocates through the Parent ACTION Academy.
14 local educators have joined the READY School Incubator to design bold, new school models.
10 high school students enrolled in our inaugural cohort of the READY Liberation Teaching Academy to become the next generation of educators.
Raised $25,000 to launch the READY STARS Scholarship Fund, awarding five $5,000 scholarships to high school graduates pursuing careers in education.
2 new schools are now in development—shaped by families, rooted in community.

These milestones represent more than just data points—they reflect the momentum of a growing movement. One rooted in the belief that Rochester’s children deserve excellent schools, and that our community has the vision and talent to make that possible.

Let’s carry this momentum into summer and beyond. There is more work to do—and we’re just getting started.

Yours in service,

Shanai Lee, MBA, EdD

Founder and Executive Director

READY, Inc.

Expanding Access to Quality Schools: READY’s

Core Mission in Action

At READY, we believe every child in Rochester deserves access to a great school—one that celebrates their strengths, meets their needs, and helps them thrive. That belief is not just our vision—it’s our mandate.

Since 2023, READY has committed over $531,000 to Rochester schools from funds raised locally and nationally. These investments will help quality schools in Rochester grow, reach full enrollment, and strengthen staff recruitment and retention. As a result, 475 more students will have access to schools that are academically strong and intentionally designed to meet the expressed needs of Rochester families.

And this is just the beginning. Over the next decade, READY aims to triple the number of Rochester students in quality schools. This work is guided by a commitment to systemic change—because transforming education isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about changing the trajectory for generations to come.

READY School Finder: A Growing Tool for Family Empowerment

More than 3,000 families and community members have used the READY School Finder to navigate Rochester’s complex school landscape—generating tens of thousands of visits to the site. The School Finder started as a community-designed tool and has quickly become a trusted, go-to resource for families making one of the most important decisions in their child’s life.

In response to community feedback, READY plans to expand the School Finder to include afterschool and summer programs, as well as pre-K offerings. These additions will help families access the full range of learning and enrichment opportunities available to their children—all in one place.

We believe families deserve tools that are accessible, transparent, and aligned to the holistic needs of their child.

Parent Power in Action: Celebrating the

READY Parent ACTION Academy

At READY, we believe the people closest to the issue should be at the center of the solution—and no one is closer to Rochester’s schools than parents. That’s why we created the READY Parent ACTION Academy: a cohort-based learning experience designed to equip parents with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to advocate for educational equity and system change.

In Parent ACTION Academy, parents engage in powerful learning experiences—from decoding school performance data and understanding education funding, to observing school board meetings to meeting with elected leaders. They examine Rochester’s education history, develop their own leadership identities, and harness the power of storytelling to amplify their voice.

Thanks to partnerships like our collaboration with Student Success Project, this program is not only building individual capacity—it’s shifting the culture of decision-making in our city.

With two cohorts now complete, READY has trained 17 caregivers who are stepping into new leadership roles, asking hard questions, and showing what’s possible when families lead the way.

Want to be part of this growing movement?

Applications for the next cohort of the READY Parent ACTION Academy are now open. If you're a Rochester parent or caregiver ready to make a difference in your child's education and your community, we invite you to apply.

APPLY TODAY

READY Design Studio: Fueling Big Ideas for Rochester’s Schools

This summer, READY proudly launched the second cohort of its Design Studio Fellowship, the signature program of the READY School Incubator. Built for educators who are ready to reimagine what's possible, we support leaders to transform bold ideas into school models that are equity-driven, rooted in research, and shaped by community voice.

Over the next nine months, 10 inspiring local educators will engage in intensive design workshops, pilot a school concept, and receive coaching to bring their vision to life.

We’re also thrilled to announce that Jeremy Smith, a member of our inaugural cohort, and Brandon White are advancing to the Launch Phase of the READY School Incubator. Over the next year, they will receive executive coaching, tailored support, and dedicated planning time as they work toward opening their school. Stay tuned for opportunities to experience their model in action!

Thanks to our continued partnership with Moonshot edVentures, the Design Studio remains grounded in equity and community-led innovation. Together, we are developing a pipeline of education leaders who are designing the schools Rochester families want and deserve.

Celebrating the READY Liberation Teaching Academy

When we launched the READY Liberation Teaching Academy (RLTA), we set out to do something bold: create a homegrown pipeline of future educators rooted in identity, purpose, and community leadership. Just one year later, we’re proud to celebrate the success of our first cohort—and even more excited for what’s ahead. We’re working to expand RLTA to additional schools, joining our founding group at UPrep.

RLTA is a year-round program that offers high school students paid internships, mentorship, and early college experiences designed to spark interest in teaching careers.

And its impact goes far beyond its intended goals- as one student put it, "...RTLA has helped me be able to express myself and learn to start speaking up and telling people how I feel. Before, I wasn't able to express myself and I was extremely silent, but when I was able to see and interact with people who looked and acted like me, I was able to open up and relate to my peers."

Help us reach our goal to support future educators!

On Friday, November 14, 2025, we’ll host our second annual Bowling 4 STARS fundraiser at Radio Social. This event celebrates community while raising essential funds for the READY STARS Scholarship Fund, which supports graduating seniors pursuing teaching careers

Last year, we raised $25,000. This year, we’re aiming for $50,000—and every sponsorship helps get us closer.

How you can help:

Support by becoming a sponsor, starting at $1,000, or gather a team to bowl for $500
Encourage your company or network to support
Spread the word and join us for a night of celebration

Together, we can support our youth to enter a strong, sustainable career where they can inspire and cultivate future generations. To sponsor or learn more, contact Christina Schermerhorn at Christina@READY4schools.org.

Let’s grow the next generation of educators—together.

Stay Connected: Follow READY on Social Media!

Stay connected to the bold ideas and real-time progress reshaping education in Rochester. Follow READY on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube to stay up-to-date on our latest work, hear powerful stories from the field, and learn how you can help create more quality school options for Rochester’s students.

Follow. Share. Donate. Let's build the future together!

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