Grand Concourse Charter School

Grand Concourse Academy Charter School, serving grades K to 8, offers a lot of support for kids who need extra help. In addition to core subjects, students enjoy instruction in art, music, theater and technology.

Instruction is a mix of textbook and worksheet-based assignments with projects and presentations, according to school’s annual Accountability Plan and Progress Report. In classes, students often work in small groups with teachers checking in to make sure everyone is mastering their skills, according to the school’s 2018 Renewal Recommendation Report (Renewal Report).

Every kindergarten class is led by a fulltime teacher and teaching assistant.

Classes in grades 5 to 8 are departmentalized, meaning students have different teachers for literacy, math, and social studies and science combined, according to the school’s annual Accountability Plan and Progress Report. Literacy and math classes are taught by a teacher and teaching assistant.

State test scores in English and math exceed the citywide average. Attendance, however, is lower than the citywide average. Many students miss at least 18 days of school each year.

City and state data shows that students feel safe and the suspension rate is low.

In 2019 the school relocated to a new building. It plans to expand to 800 students according to its website.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: There is ICT (integrated co-teaching). Teachers also work with students individually and in small groups.  

ADMISSIONS: Students are admitted by lottery with priority to those residing in District 8. (Laura Zingmond, web reports, February 2020; photo from school’s website).