New Charter School to Operate Extended Hours in the Bronx

A new charter school in the South Bronx is set to operate 12 hours a day, seven days a week, potentially marking a first for both the state and possibly the entire country.

Stralive, which will cater to students in kindergarten through fifth grade, is expected to open its doors this fall. Proponents believe it will address significant needs for working parents facing childcare challenges.

According to Strive founder Eric Grannis, the goal is to alleviate some of the financial burdens of childcare. “Schools provide education, but they also support parents’ ability to work. Currently, that system isn’t working very well,” he explained.

Mandatory instructional hours will be from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., complemented by optional hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The school plans to operate for 200 days each year and will offer additional enrichment activities, interventions, and extra-curricular options outside of regular class hours. Weekend and summer learning programs will also be available.

To reassure parents, Strive will mainly be funded by taxpayer money and will provide three meals daily at no cost when the school is open.

Grannis, who is married to Eva Moskowitz, the CEO of Success Academy Charter Network, emphasized that the school aims to be a comprehensive support system, operating 50 weeks a year. “We’re open every day, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.,” he noted.

The school is working with an initial budget of $8 million for its first year and plans to enroll 325 students. They’ve managed to raise $825,000 in private donations to kickstart their operations.

Strive’s establishment is possible due to a limited operating license from Moskowitz’s organization, which was transferred from another school in the Bronx.

Grannis believes that Strive will help Mayor Zoran Mamdani, who made childcare affordability a priority in his campaign.

While a charter school in Brooklyn already operates extended hours, its schedule is limited to weekdays and does not include summer sessions.

The topic of extending school hours has been debated for years. Former Mayor David Dinkins once promoted “beacon schools” to keep children safe with longer hours, but Grannis pointed out that many schools close in the summer. “Most jobs don’t shut down during that time. Schools typically end around 3:30, but not everyone is free then,” he said.

Flexibility is a crucial factor for Strive. Parents have a two-hour window to drop off their kids in the morning and a two-and-a-half hour window for pick-up in the evening.

The staffing model includes lead teachers working from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as staggered schedules for teaching assistants and other staff who may work extra hours if needed.

Plans also include recruiting college students majoring in education. This approach aims to provide them with hands-on teaching experience while offering classes at an affordable rate.

Charter schools, which are funded by the public but managed privately, often feature longer school days and tend to achieve better results than nearby traditional public schools in English and math state tests.

Students enrolled in Success Academy, comprising 59 schools, consistently rank among the top performers in the city and state.

Many charter schools operate without unionized staff, differing from conventional public schools.

Joseph Bellack, Chair of the State University of New York Charter Schools Committee, praised Strive, stating, “This program targets the essential issue of childcare affordability. It’s a model that could inspire other schools too.”

However, the idea of extending school hours and days has sparked debate. The state Department of Education and a board aligned with anti-charter unions contested this extension, claiming it violates the state law cap on charter schools in New York City.

Nevertheless, Bellack maintained that SUNY’s charter is lawful as it entails revising an existing charter license, rather than establishing a new one. SUNY has the authority to approve applications concerning charter schools submitted to them.