Achievement First

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We set high expectations so that our students can exceed them. We are preparing our students for success in college, career and life. We are also a fully “open source” organization. We want to help all of us go further, faster toward the goal of providing an excellent education for every child, everywhere.

Resident Profiles

All Achievement First students know they can and will go to college.

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Every day, students in our schools across Connecticut, Brooklyn and Rhode Island are solving for x and shattering stereotypes, winning debate tournaments and football games and preparing for their futures as college graduates.

Amistad Academy Elementary School Amistad Academy Middle School Achievement First Amistad High School Achievement First Bridgeport Academy Elementary School Achievement First Bridgeport Academy Middle School Elm City College Preparatory Elementary School Elm City College Preparatory Middle School Achievement First Hartford Academy Elementary School Achievement First Hartford Academy Middle School Achievement First Hartford High School Achievement First Summit Middle School

Achievement First Iluminar Mayoral Academy Elementary Achievement First Providence Mayoral Academy Elementary Achievement First Providence Mayoral Academy Middle

Achievement First Alumni Support College Placement

Achievement First schools emphasize the REACH values—Respect, Enthusiasm, Achievement, Citizenship and Hard Work.

Across Achievement First In Connecticut In New York In Rhode Island

We refuse to accept a world where social injustices stand as barriers to our students’ success. Our students can not only achieve on par with their affluent peers across the country, they can achieve alongside the highest-performing students in the world. Our students will redefine what excellence looks like.

Every year, our seniors gain acceptance to colleges and universities across the country.

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Every day, we work hard to fulfill our mission: to deliver on the promise of equal educational opportunity for all of America's children. We believe that all children, regardless of race or economic status, can succeed if they have access to a great education.

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We believe a great education can level the playing field, break the cycle of poverty and create a brighter future for all of us.

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Our students are all admitted by blind lottery and we serve all students, including English Language Learners and students with disabilities. We have no admissions tests or fees.

Students, teachers and parents work as a team to achieve success.

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Teaching and leading at Achievement First means being a part of an awesomely powerful team of tireless educators and specialists, incredible families, and students who are working every day toward improving themselves and our world.

We develop, recognize and reward teachers through constant professional development and the Teacher Career Pathway.

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Every day, we’re working toward social justice and better educational opportunities not just for our students, but for all students.Without you—our partners, friends, board members, donors, community leaders and neighbors—our work would not be possible.

We host hundreds of visitors—including community members, elected officials and educators—in our schools each year.

About Achievement First Bushwick Elementary School

125 Covert Street
Brooklyn, NY 11207
Phone: 347-471-2550
Fax: 718-228-9540

Enroll Now

Opened: September 2006
Grades: K to four
Number of Students in 2017-18: 500
Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday; 7:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Friday

"Home of the Bushwick Bobcats"

School Leader, AF Bushwick Elementary

Courtney Saretzky is the principal of Achievement First Bushwick Elementary School. She joined Achievement First in 2010 and most recently served as Achievement First Bushwick Elementary’s dean of special services, where she created and led the school’s special services program. Achievement First Bushwick Elementary proudly serves the largest population of students with disabilities in the AF elementary cohort and was recognized by the NYCDOE as one of only eight city schools with high needs populations that excels at preparing scholars for college. Prior to joining Achievement First, Mrs. Saretzky was a Teach For America corps member and taught for four years at a public school in Brooklyn, NY. She was raised in Virginia and double majored in English and psychology at the College of William and Mary. Mrs. Saretzky earned her master’s degree in teaching and a certificate of advanced graduate studies in autism and multiple severe disabilities from Pace University.

AF Bushwick Empower Program

AF Bushwick Elementary is home to the AF Bushwick Empower Program – Achievement First’s intensive program serving students with disabilities. The Empower Program’s design builds on the three pillars of our special services program: meaningful inclusion, intervention and specialized instruction to access grade-level curriculum. As a small-scale program beginning in 2017-18, it will serve students in grades 1-4 from Achievement First Brooklyn elementary schools. The program is transitional in nature, with the ultimate goal for many students to have a thoughtfully planned and supported transition back to co-taught and general education classrooms at their original Achievement First school.

School Leader, AF Bushwick Empower

Emily Salander is the founding principal of the Achievement First Bushwick Empower Program at Bushwick Elementary. She joined Achievement First in 2016 as a principal-in-residence, serving as Achievement First Endeavor’s dean of intervention, dean of first grade and special education coordinator. Ms. Salander is a passionate special educator with a track record of results serving students with disabilities. Prior to Achievement First, she was a special education leader and founding teacher at UP Academy Leonard in Lawrence, MA. Ms. Salander also taught special education for four years at Excel Academy Charter School in Boston. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and comparative arts and earned her master’s degree in teaching and curriculum design from Boston University

AF Bushwick Seen & Heard

Students Leading Volunteer Outreach

Meet the Teacher Who Wears her Mexican-American Pride on Her Sleeve

Visit Our Schools

We are always eager for visitors to see firsthand the extraordinary teaching and learning taking place in our schools. Click here to learn more about visiting an Achievement First school.

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