About Uncommon Schools
Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit organization that starts and manages outstanding urban charter public schools that close the achievement gap and prepare low-income students to graduate from college. Uncommon builds uncommonly great schools that are philosophically aligned and highly accountable. Uncommon currently manages 28 schools in New York City; Newark, New Jersey; Rochester, New York; Troy, New York; and Boston, Massachusetts.
History
Uncommon Schools first supported the creation of North Star Academy Charter School of Newark, which opened in 1997 and has since emerged as one of the most celebrated charter public schools in the nation. In 2005, Uncommon formalized its mission as a charter management organization.
Headquarters
New York, New York
School Locations
New York City; Newark, New Jersey; Rochester, New York; Troy, New York; and Boston, Massachusetts.
Web Site
www.uncommonschools.org
Growth Plan
Uncommon ultimately will encompass 44 schools, serving over 16,000 K through 12th grade students. In the long-run, Uncommon aims to fund its services almost entirely from revenues generated by the individual schools. In the near term, it looks to philanthropic partners to support the capacitybuilding that is essential to creating and managing schools at scale.
Charter School Defined
A charter school is an independently run public school granted greater flexibility in its operations, in return for greater accountability for performance.
School Design • • • • • • Program Model
The key attributes of an Uncommon school are: A College Preparatory Mission High Standards for Academics and Character A Highly Structured Learning Environment A Longer School Day and A Longer School Year A Focus on Accountability and Data-Driven Instruction A Faculty of Committed and Talented Leaders and Teachers The Uncommon model calls for Managing Directors to be superintendents over small regions of schools. Each Managing Director develops a school’s cultural blueprint,