Democracy Prep schools are making great strides in shaping students’ futures by providing quality education and comprehensive preparation for life beyond the classroom.
Christy Brown, Vice President of Enrollment, Communications and Marketing at Democracy Prep, expressed her enthusiasm for working with diverse students and offering them “an excellent, rigorous education.”
With eight years of experience at Democracy Prep, Brown shed light on the organization’s growth and impact.
As one of New York State’s oldest charter school networks, Democracy Prep has expanded its reach to San Antonio, Texas, and Las Vegas, Nevada, in addition to its established presence in Harlem and the Bronx.
The organization recently unveiled a state-of-the-art facility at 1000 Westchester in the Bronx, featuring modern amenities, including a gymnasium, outdoor spaces, and technologically advanced classrooms.
This new building will serve pre-K to fifth-grade and ninth to twelfth-grade students, with yellow bus transportation for younger pupils.
In New York City alone, Democracy Prep operates two elementary schools, three middle schools, and four high schools across Harlem and the Bronx.
In an exclusive interview, Christy Brown highlighted the distinctive nature of Democracy Prep schools. When asked what sets them apart from other public and charter schools, Brown emphasized the importance of personal connections.
Brown said, “You are going to see a principal holding an elementary student. You are going to see a high schooler running up to their teacher to tell them something really exciting. It really does feel like a family environment,” she explained.
She added, “People know every kid by name. They know their parents by name. And kids know that we have those relationships with their families.”
Democracy Prep’s commitment to creating global citizens is evident in its extensive travel programs.
Students begin community service in elementary school, progress to trips to Canada and Washington, D.C. in middle school, and have opportunities to visit countries such as South Korea, Senegal, South Africa, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico in high school.
These experiences foster cross-cultural understanding and broaden students’ perspectives.
“Our mission is to educate citizen scholars so that they can make a decision about the kind of life they want and the impact that they wanna make on the world,” Brown stated.
The schools have also launched a Democracy Prep Empowered pilot program, designed to help students explore their passions and potential career paths.
Additionally, Democracy Prep works closely with families with students that have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to support student growth and provides access to rigorous academic programming, including AP courses and Regents exams.
Brown highlighted the importance of AP classes in preparing students for Ivy League schools while ensuring that all students receive an education that enables them to thrive in various environments.
Beyond academics, Democracy Prep encourages student participation in extracurricular activities such as Outward Bound programs for canoeing and camping.
The organization also maintains a dedicated college access team to support graduates in their post-secondary endeavors.
Civic engagement is a cornerstone of the Democracy Prep experience. Students are encouraged to participate in school elections, join student councils, and understand the importance of voting in U.S. elections.
“Civics is our, like our brand, that’s our heartbeat,” Brown explained.
She added, “We don’t tell them who to vote for. We just say exercise your right because it is yours. And that’s really ingrained in the culture.”
For parents interested in enrolling their children or learning more about Democracy Prep, applications can be submitted at enrollny@democracyprep.org or in person at their offices.
The school provides translation services for non-English speaking parents to ensure effective communication.
Brown concluded, “We don’t let anything stop us from communicating. We pull all the levers to do that.”
