EDceptional.org

July 2024

Dear EDceptional Community,


Over the past year, EDceptional has been at the forefront of several significant events impacting the educational landscape of our community:

Rochester Innovative Schools Conference
  • Rochester Innovative Schools Conference: This conference brought together suppliers of successful educational programs, distinguished speakers, and educational leaders, including New York State Regent Adrian Hale, to share knowledge and insights about innovative educational practices. The conference was developed and hosted in partnership with Charter Champion’s CEO, Dr. Paul Miller. This first year success has inspired us to expand our efforts next year. 
  • Grant Funding: We have provided funding for school leaders to receive leadership training at Harvard, grants for students to attend the Golisano Institute For Business and Entrepreneurship through the Schmidt Foundation, and last mile funds for students attending college through the Hickman Fund.


  • Advocating for Equity in Education: We have also been actively involved in advocating for equity in educational choice. Our participation in the Juneteenth Parade included a powerful rally, where we voiced the urgent need for equitable access to quality education. Through these experiences, we have come to the realization that there is a critical need for a Charter Sector Support Organization focused primarily on literacy. 
Juneteenth Parade

Rochester's charter schools play a vital role in providing quality educational opportunities to students and families. With assistance from EDceptional, including using teacher coaches to improve instruction, several of the schools have improved student outcomes by leaps and bounds in the past several years. However, we believe that a collective effort is required to ensure that every charter school in Rochester has the necessary resources and support to deliver high-quality education.

A Commitment to Literacy and Educational Excellence


As a catalyst for educational transformation, EDceptional aims to have 60%+ of all K-6 children in Rochester’s charter schools reading at or above grade level in the next four years. By focusing on literacy, and building on our pilot programs of this past school year, we will address one of the most fundamental building blocks of education, laying the groundwork for academic success and lifelong learning. Our organization will provide the following key benefits to Rochester's charter schools and students:

 

  1. Resource Collaboration: We will work in partnership with charter schools, ensuring that schools have access to the latest evidence-based teaching methodologies, data, and learning resources. 
  2. Professional Development and Coaching: We will organize opportunities for teachers and administrators to have access to expert instructors who will equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver effective literacy instruction and monitoring.
  3. Best Practices Sharing: We will facilitate a platform for charter schools to share best practices, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement within the charter sector.
  4. Advocacy and Support: We will be staunch advocates for the needs and rights of charter schools at the local, state, and national levels, ensuring that they receive the recognition and support they deserve.
  5. Community Engagement: We will actively engage our local partners within the Rochester community to raise awareness about the importance of literacy and promote a shared commitment to educational excellence.

 

We firmly believe that we can enhance the educational experience for charter school students and contribute to the overall growth and development of our community. Together, we can build a brighter future for Rochester's children, where every student has the opportunity to thrive academically and reach their full potential.

 

We invite you to join us in this important endeavor. Let us come together as a community and champion the cause of literacy and educational excellence in Rochester.

Hickman Fund Awards Support Students to Pursue College

Four Rochester charter school students received inaugural Hickman Fund Awards to support their college plans this fall. The following students were nominated by their charter high schools and received cash awards to help pay for tuition, books or other costs:


  • Erica Cooley of Young Women’s College Prep Charter School received $1,500 and plans to attend the University of Albany. 
  • Kenyatta Johnson and Antonio O’Neal of University Prep Charter School for Young Men received $750 each and plan to attend Johnson C. Smith University.
  • Malachi Jones of Vertus High School received $1,500 and plans to attend Baldwin Wallace University 
Erica Cooley

Erica Cooley

Malachi Jones

Malachi Jones

Kenyatta Johnson

Kenyatta Johnson

Antonio O'Neal

Antonio O'Neal

Administered by the Rochester Community Foundation, Hickman Awards support graduating charter school students to pursue a college education. The fund was established in 2023 to honor Bryan Hickman, executive vice president and co-founder EDceptional, and his unwavering dedication to improving K-12 academic outcomes for children in the City of Rochester.

Hailey Korpi

Pursuit of Excellence Awards


EDceptional is proud to announce that in addition to the three Pursuit of Excellence Leaders announced in May, Hailey Korpi from Renaissance Academy has also received full support to attend the Harvard Leadership Program this summer. All four recipients will share their experiences upon their return. Congratulations! 

Charter School Facts

Charter School Facts

EDceptional is setting the record straight by sharing charter school facts every week through a social media campaign. 


Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and X (Twitter) to learn more and share. 


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Charter School News

Students at YWCP Explore Careers in Healthcare

Rochester Regional Health hosted students from Young Women’s College Prep Charter School to help them learn about healthcare careers


National Scholarship provides Rochester Prep Student with a Full Ride to College

A Rochester Prep student has earned a Quest Bridge scholarship, providing full tuition to college this fall.


GCCS Students Get Free Bikes

Genesee Community Charter School second Graders received bikes and helmets from Wish for Wheels.

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