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BRONX CHARTER SCHOOL FOR BETTER LEARNING
BRONX, NY · EIN 260061118 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE B29 · Education · Large ($10M-$50M) · bronxbetterlearning.org
revenue
$21.7M
expenses
$20.0M
net assets
$17.1M
employees
193
volunteers
12
program ratio
90%
mission · from form 990

BRONX CHARTER SCHOOL FOR BETTER LEARNING PROVIDES ITS STUDENTS WITH A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS, THROUGH ACHIEVEMENTS THAT EXCEEDS CITYWIDE AVERAGES AND MEETS OR EXCEEDS NEW YORK STATE STANDARDS AND NATIONAL NORMS IN ALL CURRICULUM AREAS TESTED.

profile · synthesized from sources

Bronx Charter School for Better Learning is a K-5 charter school network in the Bronx, NY, serving approximately 1,100 students primarily from low-income Latino and Black families. The school uses the "Subordination of Teaching to Learning" pedagogy developed by Dr. Caleb Gattegno, emphasizing student agency and multi-sensory learning in math, reading, and writing. Students consistently outperform citywide averages and meet or exceed state and national standards in core subjects.

named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Better Learning Academy (BLA)
Free after-school STEM and arts enrichment program promoting gender and racial equity through expanded learning opportunities
Gattegno Mathematics
Math curriculum using Cuisenaire rods and manipulatives to build mathematical thinking, computation skills, and real-world problem solving aligned with Common Core standards
Subordination of Teaching to Learning
Core pedagogical approach using multi-sensory techniques developed by Dr. Caleb Gattegno, applied across math, reading, and writing instruction
Words in Color
Reading and writing program focusing on phonemic awareness, decoding, vocabulary, and creative writing, enabling early-grade students to decode complex words joyfully
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • Comprehensive K–8 Academic Curriculum 1 activity
    • Deliver comprehensive academic and enrichment programming
      Provides daily academic instruction in math and language arts using customized materials and co-taught classrooms, along with weekly instruction in Physical Education, Music, Art, dance/movement, chess, and Korean; also operates a free after-school program focused on STEM and Arts enrichment.
  • Educational Technology Access and Support 1 activity
    • Develop and distribute free educational learning apps
      Designed, developed, and released free learning applications available on Apple's App Store to support student learning beyond the classroom.
  • Public School Support Fundraising 1 activity
    • Fund enrichment programs through donor support
      Funds enrichment programs through recurring monthly donations from sustainers, enabling expanded educational opportunities for students.
  • Website Accessibility Implementation 1 activity
    • Maintain accessible digital platforms for school communication
      Designed and maintains the school website in compliance with Level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, with regular monitoring to ensure ongoing accessibility.
  • Charter School Operations 1 activity
    • Operate two K–5 charter schools with individualized learning
      Operates two free public charter schools—Bronx Charter School for Better Learning I and II—serving approximately 1,100 students from pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5, with a focus on personalized attention, individualized learning paths, and academic achievement exceeding citywide, state, and national averages in math, science, and English Language Arts.
  • Teacher Professional Development 1 activity
    • Train teachers in instructional best practices
      Provides professional development for teachers, including training in observing and assessing student and teacher progress as part of daily instructional practice and regular meetings to review individual student learning data.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$21.65M
Contributions & grants$1.70M8%
Program service revenue$19.39M90%
Investment income$556K3%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$19.96M
Program expenses90%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$17.07M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$19.41M
Cash$9.89M
Investments$7.47M
Liabilities$2.28M
Net assets$17.13M
Liquid reserves10.4 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -4.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 9
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
SHUBERT JACOBS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $272K
PAULA HAJAR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT S 40 $223K
STEPHANIE POILLUCCI SUPERVISOR OF CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION 40 $220K
ADEREMI OGUNDIRAN PRINCIPAL - RESIGNED 9/30/24 40 $202K
DASHA ALEXANDER SUPERVISOR OF OPERATIONS & ACCOUNTABILITY 40 $192K
ROSE LEE SUPERVISOR & TEACHER - RESIGNED 12/31/24 40 $185K
ANNE CLARKE-RAYSOR PRINCIPAL 40 $175K
NICOLE TENNANT FINANCE DIRECTOR 40 $149K
AMANDA SANTOS ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL BBL2 40 $143K
board members · 12
  • ARTHUR POWELL — BOARD MEMBER
  • DEAN THOMAS — BOARD MEMBER
  • GREGORY KIMBLE — SECRETARY
  • KAREN ALTER — BOARD MEMBER
  • KASHON DUBOSE — PARENT REPRESENTATIVE
  • KIMBERLY KELLY — CHAIRPERSON-RESIGNED 3/4/25
  • MARILYN MAYE — TREASURER
  • MARLON HENRY — BOARD MEMBER
  • MARVIN WALDMAN — VICE CHAIR-3/4/25,CHAIR EFF. 3/5/25
  • NEAL MYERBERG — BOARD MEMBER
  • SYRON JACK — BOARD MEMBER
  • WILLIAM BERNHARHT — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 6

Who they work with

  • Bronx Charter School for Better Learning Education Corporation Network — Umbrella organization under which BBL 1 and BBL 2 operate as distinct schools.
  • Giant Step 6 LLC Partner — Dr. Reilly serves as CEO of Giant Step 6 LLC, an organization through which she provides leadership development and Emotional Intelligence training.
  • Pix11 Partner — Featured the school on the New York Living Show's Beyond the Bell segment to highlight its educational approach and programs.
  • The Mico University College Government — Recognized Mr. Jacobs with the 185th Commemorative Award for educational impact.
  • U.S. Department of Education Government — Provided funding through a Federal Charter School Dissemination Grant to support the development of BBL's learning apps.
  • Une Education Pour Demain Network — Organization dedicated to promoting Dr. Caleb Gattegno's educational methods, referenced as a resource for learning about the school's pedagogical approach.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Constructivist, Experiential Learning Model
    methodology: constructivist_learning
    By creating open-ended, discovery-rich environments where students actively engage with materials and concepts, deep learning occurs because children build mental models through direct experience rather than passive reception.
  • Data-Driven Academic Acceleration
    methodology: data-driven_instruction
    By using frequent, standardized assessments like NWEA to inform instruction, students achieve above-average academic growth because teaching is continuously adjusted to target individual learning gaps and promote recovery.
  • Family-School Learning Partnership
    methodology: family-school_partnership
    By treating families as core partners in education, student success is strengthened because shared expectations and relational trust create a cohesive support system across home and school environments.
  • Individualized, Student-Centered Instruction
    methodology: individualized_learning
    By tailoring instruction to individual developmental paths and learning needs, students achieve academic excellence because teaching responds dynamically to each learner’s pace, agency, and curiosity.
  • Subordination of Teaching to Learning
    methodology: subordination_of_teaching_to_learning
    By minimizing teacher-led instruction and using structured, multi-sensory techniques, students actively construct their own understanding and achieve mastery because learning is driven by innate student capabilities rather than external transmission of knowledge.