named programs · 1 · from sources
What they call their work
Inquiry-Based Environmental Curriculum
Integrated academic program where students study the natural and social environment across all subjects using hands-on, project-based learning methods.
activities · 12 groups
What they do
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Comprehensive K–8 Academic Curriculum 2 activities
- Deliver world language instruction with high school credit pathwayProvides sequential Spanish instruction beginning in 6th grade, culminating in an 8th-grade proficiency exam that can qualify students for two high school credits upon successful completion.
- Provide core academic instruction aligned with state standardsOffers comprehensive instruction in Reading, Writing, Math, Science, and Social Studies aligned with NYS Next Generation Standards and designed to prepare students for Regents exams. Includes separate literacy classes using a balanced literacy approach, accelerated Biology and Algebra I preparation in 8th grade, and project- and inquiry-based learning across subjects.
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After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Administer after-school enrichment and sports programsOffers a free after-school program for students, funded by a SONYC grant and administered through IACRL, featuring STEM explorations, art, photography, sustainable fashion, basketball, homework help, and other enrichment activities including sports and arts.
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Transparent Governance Meetings 1 activity
- Conduct governance and board operations with public transparencyHolds regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meetings from 6:30 to 8:00 PM on the fourth Wednesday of each month, allows public comment during each meeting, and provides meeting materials upon request via email.
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Project-Based Learning Programs 1 activity
- Deliver interdisciplinary, sustainability-focused curriculumProvides a rigorous, concept-based curriculum integrating environmental, social, and economic themes through hands-on learning, project-based inquiry, and real-world problem solving. Includes dedicated Sustainable Design classes twice weekly, monthly Field Study days, and thematic units on food systems, water stewardship, and sustainable urban design.
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Educational Technology Access and Support 1 activity
- Deliver technology-integrated learning and digital fluency programsImplements a 1:1 Chromebook program school-wide, teaches students to master Google Suite and graphic design tools, build digital portfolios, and use 3D printing for problem-solving. Integrates technology into analytics, presentations, video production, and coding across the curriculum.
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School and School-Community Events 1 activity
- Facilitate student clubs and school-wide community eventsHosts student clubs including Art, Debate, Garden, National Green Schools Society, LGBTQ+ Alliance, Science, Theater, and Tech & Gaming. Organizes school-wide events such as Monster Mash, WinterFest, Black History Month celebrations, Spirit Week, and student government initiatives in partnership with students, faculty, and families.
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Child & Youth Meal Programs 1 activity
- Implement behavioral and academic incentive programsOperates an Off-Campus Lunch program that rewards positive behavior with supervised off-campus lunch privileges within a defined area, promoting responsibility and community trust among middle school students.
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Charter School Operations 1 activity
- Operate a tuition-free public charter middle schoolOperates a community-based, tuition-free public charter middle school for grades 6–8 in Brooklyn, NY, with a focus on sustainability education, critical thinking, literacy, and community engagement. The school serves approximately 110 students annually per grade through a random lottery admissions process.
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Universal In-School Meal Service 1 activity
- Operate school nutrition and food service programsProvides free breakfast and lunch to all students daily, with food services aligned with sustainability goals and complemented by a Farm to Table curriculum that includes family engagement.
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School-Based Mental Health and Family Support 1 activity
- Provide student support services and whole-child programmingOffers small group advisory and Quiet Time twice daily, individual and group counseling through two full-time school counselors, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy—delivered 1–3 times per week via DOE-contracted providers. Implements a guidance-led advisory curriculum to support social-emotional and academic development.
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High School Placement Support 1 activity
- Support high school admissions and post-secondary readinessProvides targeted high school admissions support to help students enroll in competitive science-, sustainability-, arts-, and alternative-model focused high schools, building on academic preparation and extracurricular engagement.
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Special Education Support Services 1 activity
- Support multilingual and special education learnersProvides individualized and differentiated instruction for English Language Learners and Multilingual Learners through integrated co-teaching, reading intervention services led by a Literacy Specialist, and language acquisition support via hands-on collaborative projects. Offers an integrated special education program in partnership with the Committee on Special Education and NYC Charter Center’s Special Education Collaborative.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$9.06M
Contributions & grants$8.80M97%
Program service revenue$67K1%
Investment income$189K2%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$9.22M
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$6.72M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$18.84M
Cash$4.90M
Investments$1K
Liabilities$15.18M
Net assets$3.66M
Liquid reserves6.4 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +4.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 6
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSAN TENNER | EXECUTIVE DIR. | 40 | $191K |
| WYNETTE CAESAR | PRINCIPAL | 40 | $182K |
| CATHERINE TOLSON | DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS | 40 | $138K |
| KENESHIA MAXWELL | ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL | 40 | $129K |
| ANDRE WILLIAMS | TEACHER | 40 | $123K |
| JENNIFER BENNETT | TEACHER | 40 | $110K |
board members · 12
- ADAM DRUCKER — TRUSTEE
- ANA BAST — TRUSTEE
- CHRISTINE KANG — TRUSTEE (LEFT IN FY24-25)
- DON MABREY — TRUSTEE
- ERIN WALKER — TRUSTEE
- FELICE EKELMAN — CO-CHAIR
- HALLIE IANNOLI — TRUSTEE (LEFT IN FY24-25)
- JACKIE PICCOLO — CO-CHAIR
- JAMAL DEEK — TREASURER
- LINDA TIMKO LIANG — TRUSTEE
- LOUIS GREEN — TRUSTEE (LEFT IN FY24-25)
- REGINA FECHTER — SECRETARY
relationships · 19
Who they work with
- Administration for Children's Services (ACS) Government — Accepts ACS documentation as proof of residency during enrollment.
- Department of Education (DOE) Government — Contracts with the DOE to provide speech and language therapy and occupational therapy services for eligible students.
- Human Resources Administration (HRA) Government — Accepts HRA documentation as proof of residency during enrollment.
- IACRL Partner — Administers the free after-school program for BUGS through a SONYC grant.
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Government — Accepts IRS documents as proof of residency during enrollment.
- NIA Partner — Partner organization providing the after-school program for BUGS students.
- NYC Charter Center's Special Education Collaborative Partner — Collaborates to provide an integrated special education program for students with disabilities.
- NYSED Government — Seeks NYSED approval for school policies and aligns with NYSED Charter School Performance Framework standards.
- National Junior Honor Society Partner — Students at BUGS can be selected for membership in the National Junior Honor Society.
- New York City Charter School Center Network — Provides general information and support on charter school admissions and enrollment processes in New York City.
- New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Government — Accepts NYCHA documentation as proof of residency during enrollment.
- New York State Board of Regents Government — Authorizing body that granted and renewed BUGS' charter, including approval of lottery preferences in 2023.
- New York State Education Department Government — Charter authorizer that granted BUGS a 5-year renewal in 2026
- New York State Education Department Government — Oversight agency responsible for reviewing and approving charter renewals for BUGS.
- New York State Educational Department Government — Approves BUGS' enrollment policy and oversees compliance with state charter school regulations.
- New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCSF) Government — Accepts OCSF documents as proof of residency during enrollment.
- Office of Pupil Transportation Government — Assigns MetroCards to eligible students based on distance from school.
- Teachers College Reading and Writing Project Partner — Adapts curriculum and instructional methods from the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project for ELA instruction.
- Trust for the Meditation Process Partner — Supports the Quiet Time program at BUGS.
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.
- Collaborative Educator and Family Partnership Modelmethodology: family_partnership_modelBy structuring strong educator collaboration and engaging families as partners through transparent communication and student-led conferences, the school enhances student support because aligned adult networks reinforce academic progress and personal development across environments.
- Data-Informed and Standards-Aligned Instructional Practicemethodology: data_driven_instructionBy combining standards-based learning with data-driven instruction and authentic assessment, the school improves academic outcomes for all learners because continuous feedback loops enable targeted interventions and individualized support, especially for ELL and special education students.
- Equity-Oriented Access and Inclusive Admissionsmethodology: equity_focused_admissionsBy using a random lottery with enrollment preferences and diversity-focused inclusion, the school promotes equitable access because prioritizing underrepresented and high-need populations actively closes opportunity gaps and reflects its mission-driven commitment to educational justice.
- Inquiry-Based, Experiential Learning with Sustainability Integrationmethodology: inquiry_based_learningBy using inquiry-based, hands-on, and project-based learning centered on sustainability, the school deepens academic engagement and critical thinking because real-world problem solving makes learning relevant and empowers student agency. This approach integrates across subjects and leverages place-based contexts to connect curriculum to environmental and social justice.
- Whole-Child Education with Restorative and Community-Centered Practicesmethodology: whole_child_educationBy integrating academic rigor with social-emotional development, restorative discipline, and community belonging, the school supports holistic student growth because a culturally affirming, safe environment grounded in dignity enables both academic success and civic engagement.