Need

FLACS is located in the poorest U.S. Congressional District in the nation, NY-16, with 40% of the population living below poverty. The Bronx has the highest concentration of English Language Learners (ELL) in New York City. The area surrounding the school contains several New York City public schools on the State Education Commissioner's list of failing schools. Reverend Raymond Rivera, President of the Latino Pastoral Action Center (LPAC), was the sympathetic ear for the community’s families frustrated over the poor performances of the local, traditional public schools. Rev. Rivera recruited community members dedicated to children and to delivering the education that children deserve. From this urgency and passion, Rev. Rivera became the first Chairperson of Board of Directors for FLACS in 2000. FLACS and LPAC are two distinct organizations. FLACS, as all charter schools in New York State, is subject to the provisions contained in both federal law and certain laws of the State of New York. Charter school are bound by the same New York State health and safety, civil rights, and student assessment requirements as traditional public schools.

FLACS seeks to meet the particular needs of the surrounding South Bronx community which has a large percentage of students living in poverty and many having limited English language proficiency. FLACS demonstrates that children from any and all backgrounds can succeed.

Key Dates in FLACS History

• August 2000: Authorized by the State University of New York Charter Schools Institute
• August 2001: FLACS opens with grades K-1 and added subsequent grades yearly
• September 2006: FLACS reaches full enrollment, K-5th grade
• May 2007: FLACS’ first graduating fifth grade class
• April 2009: After consistently surpassing district averages, SUNY CSI approves of FLACS’ expansion into the middle school grades
• August 2009: FLACS breaks ground to renovate the facility for its middle school expansion
• September 2009: FLACS instructs its first sixth grade class