It’s Official: Science Academies of New York Charter Schools Receives Approval to Open New School in Rochester, New York
-- Approval granted from New York State Education Department ushers in a new era of learning in Rochester --
Science Academies of New York (SANY) has received approval from New York State Education Department (NYSED) to open a new college-preparatory charter school with a primary focus on English Language Learners in Rochester, New York, with a projected opening in September 2021. Among 13 different charter school applications throughout New York State, SANY was selected due to its proven track record of academic success in state testing, cohort graduation rates, instructional practices, overall parent and student satisfaction rates, and 17-year record of financial stability.
As Vice Chancellor T. Andrew Brown and Betty A. Rosa, Interim Commissioner of Education and President of the University of the State of New York, indicated during the recent Board of Regents meeting, the process is a very rigorous one, analyzed, scrutinized and researched by high-quality professionals working at NYSED Board of Regents. After a thorough analysis, research, and interview of the charter founding team, NYSED Charter School Office advanced SANY’s application to the Board of Regents level. Therefore, it absolutely is a testament to the fantastic work that the entire SANY team has been doing for many years, with its proven track record and the strong collaboration of its existing charter schools in Syracuse and Utica, New York.
“We’re absolutely thrilled with the opportunity to bring our successful model of STEM education and hands-on learning to the Rochester community, a market which we have been invited to a few years ago and identified through extensive research as having a tremendous need from families for these programs,” said SANY Superintendent Dr. Tolga Hayali. “The process was a very rigorous one, and I want to say thank you to all of the wonderful Rochesterians who believed in us, who came and visited our operation in Syracuse, and supported us throughout the process. SANY Charter Schools’ success comes not only from the wonderful dedicated and passionate teachers and staff, but also from the belief that it takes a village to raise a child, which requires building partnerships with local school districts, institutions, and community-based organizations like Mohawk Valley Junior Frontiers, 100 Black Men, MACNY, CNY STEM Hub, EcoSystem, local universities and colleges, and more. We are very grateful to all of them for providing opportunities for our urban youth. In Rochester we are looking forward to collaborating and cooperating with Rochester City School District, Center for Youth, Urban League, Refugee Settlements, R.I.T, St. John Fisher College, Nazareth College, Monroe Community College, and we will be open to working with anyone who is willing to support youth from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.”
Hayali added, “With this new school, we can continue to educate students who not only will graduate from high school, but also pursue higher education and professions that will enable them to be productive members of the Rochester community and society at large. Serving the children of today will help build a successful future for everyone.”
In addition to the new Rochester location, there are three charter schools serving under the SANY umbrella, Syracuse and Utica Academy of Science Charter Schools, and Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship Charter School, all of which are nonprofit, tuition-free, public, K-12, college-preparatory charter schools in Central New York.
