The Big Idea: Innovation

Our mission is to develop leadership through innovation. We feel that every student in New York City deserves a great education and many of the biggest student needs exist on the secondary level: a powerful, individualized high school program that not only captures student interest and excitement, but provides the College Bound skills needed to graduate with a Regents Diploma and go on to a college or career of their choice

Innovation’s educational philosophy can be summed up in five core values:

Academic Excellence: We recognize the importance of student achievement as core to our mission. All students receive a strong education designed to meet and exceed State Standards on required New York State exams leading to a Regents Diploma.

Accountability: We believe that accountability is the foundation of leadership. Charter schools must balance the autonomy and freedom of our model with individual and collective responsibilities. Each student, teacher, administrator and family member is accountable in their respective roles for the success of the school community.

Systemic Innovation: We implement a culture of innovation through school wide systems that harness the creativity, skill and hard work of each community member. By implementing school wide systems of innovation, each student can reach their potential as a student and leader.

Collaboration: Teachers work closely and collaboratively to maintain a strong school culture, academic expectations and a positive learning environment. Teachers work in grade level and subject area Clusters which improve communication and provide peer support.

Culture of Inquiry: In our culture of inquiry, all members of the community are learners. Personal curiosity in the staff is encouraged to innovate through their “20% time”, an idea which first found its role in companies such as 3M and Google, which will allow for interdisciplinary collaboration, development of new programs, request-for-proposals and action research projects. Students are educated through a system with three tiers of learning: the core curriculum, project-based learning and experiential learning.