As we begin the new year, I am proud and grateful to share an important milestone with our community: York Academy is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Reaching 15 years as a charter school is a significant accomplishment. Many charter schools never reach this point, and the fact that we have not only endured but continued to grow is a testament to the strength of our mission, our people, and our community.

Since opening our doors 15 years ago, York Academy has built something truly special. We have grown in enrollment, in academic excellence, and in the opportunities we provide our students—all while staying true to our commitment to rigorous learning, character development, and global citizenship through the IB framework. This progress would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our families, staff, students, alumni, partners, and the broader York community. You are the foundation of our success.

To honor this milestone, we will be celebrating from January through May with a variety of community-centered events and student-led activities. These celebrations will reflect who we are as a school: inclusive, student-focused, and deeply connected to our community. We invite all families to watch for upcoming messages and announcements as we share more details about ways to participate and celebrate together.

While anniversaries are a time to reflect on the past, they are also an opportunity to look ahead. As we celebrate how far we’ve come, we remain focused on the future, continuing to challenge our students, support our educators, and strengthen the sense of belonging that defines York Academy.



Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we have built something lasting, and the best is still ahead.

With gratitude and excitement,

Dr. Lowe

Voices of those Who Built York Academy

Dennis Baughman, Board Member Being one of the founders, Chief Executive Officer, and member of the Board of Trustees of the York Academy Regional Charter School, and International Baccalaureate institution, means being responsible for shaping the school’s core mission, vision, and identity within the York community. It requires leading the development of innovative academic programming and cultivating a culture that aligns with the IB values of inquiry, global awareness, and a rigorous education. As CEO, this role demands strategic leadership, fiscal stewardship, and oversight of operations while ensuring our students, staff, and families are supported. Serving on the board involves upholding governance, evaluating performance, and guiding visionary decisions that sustain the school’s growth. Being a part of a school that offers the children of York County the opportunity to secure an exceptional educational opportunity has certainly provided a sense of deep satisfaction and we can look forward to continued growth.

Ellen Johnson, Board Member York Academy represents the fulfillment of a simple but powerful idea: that students from York City and York County could together have access to a rigorous, world-class education right here at home. From that seed grew a three-district public K–12 charter school with a diverse community of learners and the prestigious, globally recognized International Baccalaureate curriculum. As a former parent and now a grandparent of York Academy students, this is exactly the kind of opportunity I would hope for my family. As an educator and regional university interviewer, I know just how exceptional this level of academic preparation truly is. I see firsthand the opportunities it opens for students and how effectively it equips them to pursue their post-secondary aspirations—whether those paths lead them to local institutions or to campuses across the nation and the world. Looking ahead another 15 years, as our staff continue to strengthen and elevate our programs, I have no doubt that a York Academy education will become even more extraordinary. I am grateful to have played a role in this journey and look forward to watching our graduates achieve their dreams, knowing their school has given them an exceptional foundation.

Paula Gilbert, Board Member Having the opportunity to be connected to York Academy since the very beginning has been an exciting and enjoyable experience. Having been asked to make suggestions on how the school’s library should be arranged and outfitted was an honor! Seeing it happen in real time and then being able to provide staff since the beginning has been a way to firm the connection between schools and the library in York. Knowing we could make a difference by providing access and support to the students has been wonderful. Staying involved with programs and then the inception and growth of the Upper School cemented our long term relationship. The final plus to me was being asked to serve on the board and provide a different kind of leadership that underscores my belief in the school and its importance to the community.

Lisa Wagman Glezer It has been a privilege to partner with York Academy and build a brighter future for York County. Building York Academy Regional Charter School, the Upper School was especially meaningful for Wagman because we engaged so many stakeholders including the students and the community which created an energy during this transformation of the northern gateway into York City. YARCS' impact on the York community has been exponential: providing an outstanding IB education, engaging students in the community, and offering our community and families an exceptional school choice. The first graduating class from YARCS was not just a milestone for the school, it was a milestone for the York community. The alignment of our core values of safety, integrity and mutual respect between YARCS and Wagman have been reflected in all aspects of our relationships and interactions over the years and most recently during our partnership on Legacy Hall. As fourth generation family business, we know every milestone is special. Congratulations on 15 years, thank you for your commitment to high quality education in the York community!

What Has York Academy Meant to You?

What has the past 15 years meant to me as a parent of three students? As a family, we have all grown in our local and global understanding, addressing and challenging biases, and defining and refining our beliefs. We formed true and deep friendships with people of different cultures; differing in ethnicity, race, vastly diverse belief systems and different socioeconomic and education levels. Our daughters’ beloved teachers have made space in their classrooms for respectful, often spirited and sometimes heated dialogue that actually invited understanding. They sacrificed their own comfort to create spaces for their students to safely disagree respectfully, champion one another and deeply care for one another. And in so doing, gave our families courage to do the same. Hospitality, love and relationship are truly a bridge across difference, and when we practice these things, we tend to influence each other, expand our perspectives. The influence of the faculty, staff and families of York Academy has been transformative, and it is what I believe goes back to the original intention of our school…slow change through a community of people who care deeply about their work and each other. In that care, somewhere along the way, students’ lives are influenced, families’ lives are influenced, and eventually the community becomes kinder, more generous, better listeners.

As York Academy celebrates its 15th anniversary, we’re excited to unveil a bold, clean, and modern new look that reflects who we are today—and where we’re headed next. Reaching this milestone is the perfect moment to refresh our visual identity, honoring our past while stepping confidently into the future.

This updated look and feel is more than a change in design. It represents the growth, energy, and forward-thinking spirit of our school community. As we shed our former appearance, we’re embracing a more contemporary aesthetic that mirrors the innovation, excellence, and momentum happening inside our classrooms every day.

You’ll begin seeing our refreshed branding roll out across our website, social media channels, and other consumer-facing materials as part of our 15th anniversary celebrations. We hope this new look excites you as much as it excites us and helps tell the York Academy story in a way that feels vibrant, modern, and true to who we are.

Here are two examples of our new look:

Show Your Knight Pride: 15th Anniversary Screensavers

Want to show your pride in York Academy’s 15th anniversary milestone? We’ve created newly branded screensavers for both cell phones and desktops that you can download and use to join the celebration. It’s a simple, fun way to show your York Academy spirit and be part of this exciting anniversary year wherever you go. Simply click on the image to download the screensaver of your choice or go to Screensavers and copy the image to your device.

cell phone screen saver

desktop screensavers