Engaging the Bronx: Successful Charter School Community Plan

Charter School Application: Community engagement Plan

The Challenge: Bronx Arts & Science came to us with a distinct and time-bound challenge: could we launch and deliver a community engagement plan to gather feedback and signatures from 400 local residents in support of their new charter school application? And could we do it in three weeks? Challenge accepted.

Our Approach: We quickly mobilized and trained a highly qualified bilingual (English, Spanish) team of canvassers to hit the streets and connect with community members. We hired local canvassers to make the work more effective and ensured they were well-versed on Bronx Arts & Science’s track record and plans to expand their school. within two weeks, prepping locally-based canvassers to conduct strategic community outreach in support of the school. Our team knocked 2,000 doors, distributed 2,500 pieces of literature and spoke to thousands of Bronx residents at high-traffic locations.

The Results: Our canvassing team secured feedback and signatures from 468 community members in support of the application in just a few days. We saw a particularly large amount of support in NYCHA Castle Hill Houses from community members and families who expressed the need for a high quality STEAM-Based High School in their area. Ultimately, our work helped Bronx Arts & Science compile the strongest charter application possible to present to their authorizer.