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DESTINE PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL
SCHENECTADY, NY · EIN 873479318 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE B29 · Education · Medium ($1M-$10M) · destineprepcharterschool.org
revenue
$3.5M
expenses
$3.8M
net assets
$498K
employees
38
volunteers
1
program ratio
81%
mission · from form 990

TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A CHARTER SCHOOL TO ENSURE ACADEMIC SUCCESS FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K-5 IN SCHENECTADY. DESTINE PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL PROMISES A RIGOROUS ACADEMIC PROGRAM DRIVEN BY EQUITABLE USE OF SERVICES FOR ALL STUDENTS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Destine Preparatory Charter School is a tuition-free public charter school serving students in grades K-5 in Schenectady, NY. The school provides a rigorous academic program integrated with social-emotional learning (SEL) and culturally responsive instruction. It emphasizes equity, individualized learning plans, and community partnerships to support the academic and personal growth of all scholars.

named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Individualized Learning Plans
Customized academic plans developed in collaboration with families to meet the specific learning needs of each student, ensuring targeted support and academic progress.
Monthly Scholar Themes
Thematic focus each month combining SEL development with cultural and academic celebrations such as Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Women’s History Month to affirm identity and support holistic growth.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Program
Integrates SEL into daily instruction through five core values: Responsible Decision-Making, Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Building Positive Relationships, and Social Awareness, reinforced through classroom routines and monthly themes.
Weekly Panther Circle
School-wide community gathering to celebrate scholar achievements, reinforce core values, and build school culture through chants, recognition, and shared participation by students, staff, and families.
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
    • Deliver academic enrichment and extended learning programs
      Operates an extended school day and school year with enrichment in music and the arts, the Summer Scholar Enrichment program, the 3rd Grade Academy Program for NYS test preparation, and afterschool programs and tutoring as part of special projects.
  • Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs 1 activity
    • Develop individualized learning plans with family collaboration
      Creates individualized learning plans for each student in collaboration with families to support personalized academic progress.
  • School and School-Community Events 1 activity
    • Foster school community and social-emotional learning
      Hosts a weekly Panther Circle to celebrate student achievements and reinforce core values, and implements monthly scholar themes that integrate social-emotional learning with cultural and academic observances to build school community.
  • Charter School Operations 1 activity
    • Operate a free public charter school for grades K-5
      Provides a rigorous academic program for students in grades K-5 in Schenectady, operating as a free public charter school established in August 2021. The school serves students starting in the 2026-2027 school year with enrollment open through public lotteries if applications exceed capacity.
  • Union and Association Benefit Funds 1 activity
    • Provide employee benefits and support
      Offers comprehensive employee benefits including medical, dental, prescription, and vision insurance; a 401(k) plan with up to 3% employer match; paid time off covering vacation, sick leave, parental leave, and holidays; and up to 12 weeks of paid parental and baby bonding leave under New York State Paid Family Leave.
  • Teacher Professional Development 1 activity
    • Provide staff professional development and growth opportunities
      Offers professional development for staff at all levels, tuition reimbursement for college and professional certification, and leverages leadership and instructional expertise from prior roles at other charter schools to strengthen organizational capacity.
  • Universal In-School Meal Service 1 activity
    • Provide student basic needs and support services
      Provides free meals to all enrolled students and one free uniform per enrolled student to support equitable access to education.
  • Early Literacy Promotion 1 activity
    • Support student literacy development
      Develops and implements a robust reading curriculum through the Improve Reading Achievement Initiative, including distribution of books to students and provision of logins to online reading subscriptions.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.50M
Contributions & grants$391K11%
Program service revenue$3.11M89%
Investment income$910%
Other revenue$2K
expenses
Total expenses$3.76M
Program expenses81%
Admin / overhead19%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$2.05M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.89M
Cash$297K
Investments$0
Liabilities$1.39M
Net assets$498K
Liquid reserves0.9 mo
4 years on record · 2021–2024 · YoY revenue +14.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
RE'SHAWN ROGERS EXECUTIVE DI 40 $144K
board members · 7
  • AISHA WHITE — SECRETARY
  • ANGELA OSIER — BOARD MEMBER
  • CHERLY ALMONTE LARE — TREASURER
  • KENNETH MAYFIELD — BOARD MEMBER
  • NOSA LEBARTY — BOARD MEMBER
  • RAUL CASTILLO — CHAIR
  • RAYSHEEA TURNER — VICE CHAIR
relationships · 17

Who they work with

  • BES Fellowship Partner — Trained and supported the Founding Executive Director in launching Destine Preparatory Charter School.
  • Brighter Choice Charter School for Girls Partner — Former employer of Dr. Nikisha M. Taylor where she served as Dean of Scholars for over 15 years.
  • Brighter Choice Foundation Partner — Supported the 3rd Grade Academy Program focused on Reading and Math preparation for NYS testing.
  • Chris and Brooke Spraragen Partner — Supported development of special projects including afterschool programs, tutoring, and Field Day.
  • Class Dojo Partner — Uses Class Dojo for communication between school and families.
  • KIPP ACCS Partner — Donated office furniture, student desks, and chairs.
  • KIPP: Albany Community Charter Elementary School Partner — Former employer of Freddy Woods where he served in multiple instructional and leadership roles over 16 years.
  • M&T Bank Charitable Foundation Partner — Supported the Summer Scholar Enrichment program.
  • NY Charter Schools Association Partner — Donated office furniture to the school.
  • New York State Department of Education Government — Employer of Dr. Nikisha M. Taylor in a prior role overseeing 64 school districts through The My Brother’s Keeper Family and Community Engagement program.
  • Parent Square Partner — Uses Parent Square for communication between school and families.
  • Re’shawn Rogers Partner — Founder of Destine Preparatory Charter School leading community engagement and school development.
  • Schenectady Government — Operates as a public charter school serving students in Schenectady, NY.
  • Schenectady Foundation Partner — Supported the Improve Reading Achievement Initiative, including curriculum development and distribution of books and online reading access.
  • The Daily Gazette Partner — Featured in media coverage by The Daily Gazette.
  • Times Union Partner — Featured in media coverage by Times Union.
  • Woodlawn Park Partner — Donated books, arts and crafts materials, and book carts.
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.

  • Equity-Centered Education with Anti-Racism Integration
    methodology: equity_centered_education
    By embedding anti-racism, inclusion, and equity into teaching, leadership, and service delivery, the school produces more just and effective educational outcomes because systemic barriers are actively addressed as part of the learning environment.
  • Extended Learning Time for Academic Acceleration
    methodology: extended_learning_time
    By extending the school day and year, the school increases instructional and enrichment time, which produces stronger academic outcomes because students gain more exposure and practice in key domains.
  • Individualized Learning with Family Partnership
    methodology: individualized_learning
    By co-developing individualized learning plans with families, the school tailors education to each child’s needs, which supports equitable academic growth because it aligns instruction with student context and family engagement.
  • Mission-Driven Educator Leadership Model
    methodology: mission_driven_education
    By relying on passionate, mission-driven educators who lead with purpose and care, the school achieves student success because instructional quality and relational trust are elevated through shared commitment to equity and excellence.
  • Social-Emotional Learning Integrated Through Core Values and Home-School Partnership
    methodology: sel_core_values_integration
    By integrating SEL through core values and reinforcing it via school-family partnerships, the school builds resilience and emotional intelligence because students experience consistent emotional development supports across environments.