Achievement First

Description

Achievement First is a non-profit charter management organization (CMO) that operates a growing network of high-performing, college-preparatory, K to 12 public charter schools in Connecticut and New York.

Achievement First was established in 2003 by the founders of Amistad Academy, a nationally acclaimed public charter school in New Haven, CT. Amistad Academy, which was founded in 1999 to prove that urban students can achieve at the same high levels as their suburban peers, enabled its students to achieve at such extraordinarily high levels that the founders were asked to use Amistad Academy’s knowledge and best practices to have a greater impact. Achievement First has grown into a network that includes 19 academies under 10 charters in four cities.

Achievement First will continue to create public charter schools that close the achievement gap, while also looking to partner with other like-minded, reform-oriented organizations to maximize our collective impact. Our theory of change is that by creating the equivalent of an urban public school "district", Achievement First can serve as proof that closing the achievement gap is possible at district scale and inspire broader reform. Achievement First is focused on continuing to close the achievement gap in a manner that is replicable for other charter schools and traditional public school districts. We will continue our work until every child is given access to a great education and enjoys the real freedom that flows from that opportunity.