named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
High School Transition Program
Deliberate academic and developmental support to ensure seamless progression from middle to college-preparatory high school
STRIVE Values Program
Character education framework centered on Service, Team, Resilience, Integrity, Voice, and Excellence to develop student leadership and community responsibility
SummerBoost Program
Summer enrichment initiative providing academic reinforcement and experiential learning opportunities for students
activities · 9 groups
What they do
-
College Preparatory Secondary Education 1 activity
- Deliver academic programming to close achievement gapsImplements a college preparatory curriculum designed to close achievement gaps and accelerate learning for low-income and English Language Learner students. Front-loads Regents exam requirements within the first two to three years of high school and integrates interdisciplinary projects at every grade level, requiring public presentations as a key component of assessment.
-
-
Comprehensive K–12 Arts Education 1 activity
- Deliver comprehensive performing and visual arts educationProvides a sequential performing arts program beginning with music in lower grades and expanding to include dance and theater in upper grades. Offers daily enrichment during the extended school year and high school-level courses in visual design, graphic design, chorus, jazz band, and theater. Students participate in annual showcases, including spring pop and dance events.
-
-
After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Deliver summer and extended learning programsOffers summer programs and extended school year opportunities, including daily performing arts enrichment, to support continuous student learning and development.
-
-
Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Facilitate student leadership and civic engagement programsOperates a Student Government that organizes school-wide activities and provides leadership opportunities. Runs the "Forte Friends" peer mentoring program pairing sixth graders with incoming fifth graders, conducts regular Community Meetings featuring student performances and peer recognition, and organizes student attendance at local Community Board meetings to teach civic engagement and government processes.
-
-
School and School-Community Events 1 activity
- Host community and student showcase eventsHosts annual events including middle school graduation ceremonies, open houses with club showcases (with recorded videos available online), Lunar Parade celebrations, and arts premieres such as the screening of a student documentary film at The Museum of the Moving Image in Queens.
-
-
High School Dual Enrollment Programs 1 activity
- Offer college credit and advanced academic opportunitiesProvides access to college credit through partnerships with the Modern States Freshman Year for Free program and the CUNY College Now Program. Offers culturally-responsive Advanced Placement courses across multiple subjects to prepare students for college-level work.
-
-
Charter School Operations 1 activity
- Operate tuition-free college preparatory school for grades 5–12Operates a tuition-free, open enrollment charter school in Queens, New York, serving students in grades 5 through 12 with a college preparatory curriculum. The school serves 668 students across middle and high school campuses located at 51-31 Reeder Street and 78-02 Queens Boulevard in Elmhurst, NY, with a new high school building set to open in 2026–27.
-
-
High School Placement Support 1 activity
- Provide individualized college and high school placement supportOffers individualized college preparation planning through a dedicated Director of High School Placement and Alumni Success for every student. Supports graduates in enrolling in competitive public, private, and charter high schools, including Forte Prep High School.
-
-
Youth One-on-One Mentoring 1 activity
- Run advisory program for student mentorship and supportOperates an advisory program that assigns each student to a small peer group mentored by a professional staff member who serves as their primary point of contact for academic and behavioral support.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$16.95M
Contributions & grants$16.76M99%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$105K1%
Other revenue$78K
expenses
Total expenses$16.98M
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead24%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$9.88M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$35.10M
Cash$4.16M
Investments$0
Liabilities$30.48M
Net assets$4.62M
Liquid reserves2.9 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +12.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 7
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GRAHAM BROWNE | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $202K |
| JUSTIN SMITH | CHIEF SCHOOLS OFFICER | 40 | $194K |
| JULIE MASTRELLA | HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL | 40 | $145K |
| VIVIANA BENJUMEA | CHIEF COMMUNITY OFFICER | 40 | $142K |
| ANGELA MU | HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL | 40 | $135K |
| TRINEE ADAMS | OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, HS | 40 | $132K |
| DAMALI CAINE | HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS DIR. | 40 | $130K |
board members · 13
- ALEJANDRA ESPINOSA — BOARD TRUSTEE
- CHRISTOPHER CRUZ — TREASURER
- ELLEN WINN — SECRETARY (INCOMING CHAIR)
- FIONA LIN — BOARD CHAIR
- JENNIFER CORDERO — BOARD TRUSTEE
- JOSEPH SCHILLING — BOARD TRUSTEE
- KATIE MULLEN — BOARD TRUSTEE
- LAURA RODRIGUEZ — BOARD TRUSTEE
- LORENZO MENDEZ — BOARD TRUSTEE
- MICHAEL DYMOND — BOARD TRUSTEE
- SALLY SONG — BOARD TRUSTEE
- VAL ABRAMS — BOARD TRUSTEE
- WAI LIN YIP — VICE CHAIR
relationships · 18
Who they work with
- CUNY College Now Program Partner — Partner program providing college credit opportunities to Forte Prep high school students.
- Camp Eagle Island Partner — Ellen Winn serves on the board of this equity-focused summer camp in the Adirondacks
- Center of All Abilities Partner — Sally Song volunteers as a teacher with this organization, participating in a vocational training program for young adults with special needs
- Community Board Partner — Partnership with Community Board representatives to facilitate student learning about local government and civic responsibility.
- Director of High School Placement and Alumni Success Partner — Staff role providing individualized guidance to students for high school placement and college planning.
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund Partner — Dr. Jennifer M. Cordero and Joseph Schilling serve on advisory councils for this organization, indicating a professional affiliation and shared mission focus
- Make the Road NY Partner — Cited research on educational resource disparities in immigrant communities.
- Melty Cone Video Productions Partner — Collaborated with Forte Prep to produce a documentary film.
- MetroPlusHealth Partner — Collaborates on student engagement events, including the Night League.
- Modern States Freshman Year for Free program Partner — Partner program enabling students to earn free college credits.
- NYCFC Partner — Collaborates on student engagement events, including the Night League.
- Our Funding Partners Funder — Funding partners supporting FORTE PREPARATORY ACADEMY
- Schneps Media Partner — Served as media sponsor for the documentary premiere event.
- Sinaloa Institute of Neuroscience and Education (INyES) Partner — Joseph Schilling advises this higher-education institution in Mexico focused on neuroscience and neurodevelopment
- Sponsors for Educational Opportunity Partner — Joseph Schilling and Lawer Teye are involved with SEO, which focuses on helping minorities navigate the college experience and secure internships and full-time roles
- The Museum of the Moving Image Partner — Hosted the premiere screening of Forte Prep’s documentary.
- The State University of New York Charter Schools Institute Government — Charter authorizer for Forte Preparatory Academy Charter School.
- US News and World Report Network — Recognized by US News and World Report as one of the best middle schools in New York.
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.
- Character-Based Leadership Developmentmethodology: character_based_leadershipBy embedding character education focused on responsibility, self-determination, and community into daily practice, the school cultivates authentic student leadership, because strong personal values and a sense of agency are prerequisites for sustained academic and civic engagement.
- Early College Preparation Pathwaymethodology: early_college_preparationBy starting college preparation in fifth grade with a focus on academic and behavioral excellence, the school positions students for admission to competitive high schools, which serves as a critical pathway to college success, because early intervention builds foundational habits and expectations that compound over time.
- Equity-Driven Access Modelmethodology: equity_based_educationBy providing open enrollment and tuition-free college preparatory education grounded in the belief that all students can excel regardless of background, the school enables college access for disadvantaged students, because removing structural barriers while maintaining high expectations creates equitable pathways to lifelong opportunity.
- Integrated Arts and Academics Modelmethodology: curriculum_integrationBy integrating performing arts with literacy and history curricula, the school reinforces academic learning and deepens student engagement, because interdisciplinary instruction helps students make meaningful connections across subjects and strengthens retention through creative expression.
- Social-Emotional Learning Through Empathymethodology: conflict_resolution_through_empathyBy teaching conflict resolution through empathy and highlighting the harms of unresolved conflict, the school improves student relationships and classroom climate, because understanding emotional consequences fosters prosocial behavior and reduces disruptions to learning.