FAQ
What are Classical Charter Schools?
Classical Charter Schools is a public charter school network in the Bronx focused on academic excellence, character development, and a rigorous classical education. We prepare students to succeed in high school, college, and beyond.
Why Choose Classical Charter Schools?
Families choose Classical Charter Schools because we combine strong academics, structured support, and a joyful school culture to help every scholar thrive.
As a 5x National Blue Ribbon Award Winner, our network has a proven record of academic excellence. Our scholars consistently outperform city and state averages, especially in reading and math, because we focus on clear instruction, high expectations, and well-defined systems that maximize learning time.
But results are only part of the story.
At Classical, we believe in developing the whole child. Our schools provide:
Small class sizes for individualized attention.
An extended school day to deepen learning and enrichment.
Character education that builds confidence, discipline, and leadership.
A structured, supportive environment where scholars feel safe and known.
Our teachers are deeply invested in their students’ success, and our strong partnerships with families ensure that scholars are supported both in and out of the classroom.
The result? Students who are academically prepared, socially confident, and equipped with the habits they need to excel in middle school, high school, college, and beyond.
Is Classical Charter Schools a public school?
Yes. Classical Charter Schools are tuition-free public charter schools open to all New York City residents. There is no cost to attend.
What grades do Classical Charter Schools serve?
Classical Charter Schools currently serve students in elementary and middle school (K-8), with expansion plans to continue supporting students through higher grade levels over time.
What does “classical education” mean?
A classical education emphasizes strong foundations in reading, writing, math, science, history, and the arts, along with critical thinking, structured learning, and character education. Students build knowledge step-by-step while developing discipline, curiosity, and confidence.
Where are Classical Charter Schools located?
Classical Charter Schools have multiple campuses across the Bronx including Foxhurst, Mott Haven, Morrisania, and Concourse Village, making it easier for families in different neighborhoods to access a high-quality education close to home. Classical Charter Schools will also be opening a new location in Kingsbridge for 2026!
Do you offer transportation or busing?
Yes. Yellow bus transportation is provided in accordance with NYC Department of Education guidelines, depending on grade level and distance from school.
What extracurricular activities are available?
Students can participate in a variety of clubs, sports, and enrichment activities, such as basketball, soccer, cheer, step, music, and academic clubs—helping them explore interests beyond the classroom.
How does enrollment work?
Enrollment is completed through the NYC Charter School application process. If more students apply than seats available, a lottery is held in accordance with New York State law.
Does Classical Charter Schools support diverse learners?
Yes. We provide services for English Language Learners (ELLs) and students with special needs, ensuring all scholars receive the support they need to thrive academically and socially.
How can I learn more or apply?
Families can visit our website, attend an open house, or contact the enrollment team directly to learn more, schedule a tour, and apply for the upcoming school year. Learn more at https://classicalcharterschools.org/about/.
Where do your scholars go after Classical?
The high school application process in NYC works exactly like the application process to most colleges and universities. Scholars apply and it’s highly competitive. You can find a list of the high schools our alumni attend on our website – in the family page.
Everything we do is geared towards ensuring scholars are prepared for the high school of their choice and are able to access highly competitive schools.
We find that they often are accepted to highly competitive schools.
To support parents in navigating this process, we have a full-time high school admissions counselor who works with students and families throughout the application and selection process.
How does Classical prioritize staff diversity?
We understand the importance of role models and given we teach mostly black and brown students, having black and brown teachers in the classroom is incredibly important. We recognize that diversity at all levels of our organization makes us better for scholars and families and it’s something we’re working to do better.
In the context of ClassiCorps, we’ve made some drastic improvements in diversity, though we still have far to go in ensuring our teaching staff reflects the communities in which we work.
Why do you require scholar uniforms?
Uniforms help staff, scholars, and families focus on learning by reducing social stigmas and lowering costs for families
Help to communicate the seriousness with which scholars and staff approach learning.
How does Classical promote impeccable character, and what is character education?
At Classical Charter Schools, character education is just as important as academic achievement. We believe that helping scholars develop strong character traits such as responsibility, respect, perseverance, and integrity is essential to long-term success in school and in life. Just as importantly, strong character creates a safe, structured environment where every scholar can learn with confidence.
Character education at Classical is not a separate program—it is woven into everything we do. Our schools operate within clear, consistent systems that teach scholars how to:
– Take ownership of their actions.
– Show respect to peers and adults.
– Demonstrate self-discipline and focus.
– Persevere through academic and personal challenges.
– Contribute positively to their community.
Because expectations are clearly defined and consistently reinforced, scholars know what is expected of them at all times. This predictability creates both emotional and physical safety- classrooms are calm, transitions are orderly, and learning time is protected.
Teachers explicitly model positive behavior and proactively teach conflict resolution, empathy, and accountability. When challenges arise, they are addressed consistently and fairly, reinforcing both safety and trust within the school community.
We also celebrate strong character through recognition systems, community gatherings, and leadership opportunities. Scholars learn that their choices impact others, and they grow into confident, accountable young people who contribute to a respectful, secure school culture.
What qualities make up an excellent Classical teacher?
Teachability, humility, tenacity and the capacity to learn are all traits that make up our most excellent staff members because they are traits that enable staff to continuously improve their practice.
The people who are always pushing themselves to improve are the people who are most successful even after decades of experience.
What do you mean by liberated? (In referring to scholars)?
Scholars who can choose their own path, think critically about the world, and live vwithout a fear of complexities for things they don’t understand. This is crucial to our mission.
Who determines impeccable character?
Someone of impeccable character is someone we all aspire to be or be around. These values of fairness, care, respect, trustworthiness, citizenship, and responsibilities are instilled in scholars by their parents and continued at school.
Why Latin?
When scholars are proficient in Latin, they’re able to break down words into roots, which helps them access content in almost any advance course in high school and college.
How do you support students with specific needs?
Our model is uniquely set up to develop the individualized learning needs of all scholars. By frequently assessing each scholars’ progress, prioritizing small group instruction, and teaching from highly effective lesson plans, we can better ensure individual needs are met.
We have an in-house team of trained professionals that help to support scholars and identify scholars who may need special services.
Our team consists of: Special Education Teachers, Speech and Language Pathologists, and School Counselors
Additional context on process: We have an SST (Scholar Services Team) referral process that allows any staff member to identify a struggling scholar, whether they have an IEP or not – this process enables us to provide differentiated supports and interventions like small group support, at risk supports, and if scholar don’t exhibit substantial growth from there, then we’ll evaluate the scholar further to look for fundamental gaps. From there we’ll implement a support plan, loop in parents, and potentially move forward with a special education
We don’t do ICT and small classes because our model is actually built off small group support and allows us to provide targeted support to far more scholars than just those who have an IEP.
Main Focus: A team approach, multi-tiered steps, a clear and consistent process to scholar support
We’re an open lottery admissions process. We don’t base acceptance based on scholar ability.
How are families engaged? How are parents part of the Classical community?
Our parents are incredibly engaged. It may look different here because parents face challenges outside of the classroom that limit their ability to physically be in the building such as working multiple jobs, but that doesn’t mean they’re not engaged.
Our parents went out of their way to apply to our school in the first place. They attend monthly parent academies where they engage in discussions on how to support scholars with homework and navigate the high school admissions process.
We see parent engagement as vital to scholars’ success. 100% of parents attend report card conferences
We also have a Family Advisory Council that acts as a PTA
Why does Classical place such an emphasis on assessments?
At Classical, our instruction is data-driven. This means we use both formative (ongoing) and summative (end-of-unit or end-of-term) assessments to identify each scholar’s strengths and areas for growth.
Assessments are not just grades, they are tools that help us adjust instruction, provide targeted support, and ensure every scholar is mastering the standards.
Additionally, we know that beginning in 4th grade, scholar performance on state assessments can open doors to competitive academic programs and provide an advantage in the high school application process. By building strong assessment habits early, we prepare scholars not only for success in our classrooms, but for future academic opportunities as well.