Food-Is-Medicine

Authorized by the New York State Department of Education to award the Seal of Civic Readiness to qualifying high school students, recognizing civic engagement and leadership.

Hosts annual public admissions lotteries for prospective students, including hybrid and in-person events for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years, in compliance with charter school enrollment regulations.

Partners with bike advocacy and activist groups to engage students in cycling programs, including week-long trips covering up to 100 miles, as part of experiential learning and community engagement initiatives.

Offers weekly in-person school tours every Friday at the Jackson Heights campus and by appointment at the Elmhurst campus from November through May 2026, along with weekly Wednesday tours, to engage prospective families.

Operates two free public charter school campuses in Jackson Heights and Elmhurst, Queens, providing continuous PK-12 education focused on academic excellence, social-emotional learning, and leadership development. The schools serve over 530 students and operate under a renewed charter through June 30, 2029.

Issues annual school calendars for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years, available for download to support family and student planning.

Provides free daily breakfast, hot lunch, and cold dinner to take home for all enrolled students during the school year. Offers meal substitutions for students with disabilities in accordance with federal regulations.

Collaborates with professional moviemakers from the Queens Film Festival to produce student short films and supports students in writing and publishing film and food critiques online to build portfolios for future writing opportunities.

Provides academic instruction in Spanish and English to prepare students in grades 6–12 for college and leadership, using a dual-language model and co-teaching approach to support mutual language development and academic excellence.

Implements a co-teaching model in which two teachers collaboratively plan and deliver instruction, monitor student progress, and manage classrooms to enhance learning outcomes.

Offers grade-specific college counseling starting in junior year, organizes college visits beginning in 9th grade, hosts college representative sessions, provides parent workshops on financial aid and applications, and delivers one-on-one senior counseling to support college readiness and transitions.

Operates soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, basketball, and flag football teams for male and female students at both middle and high school levels.

Encourages and prepares all students to earn the New York State Seal of Biliteracy, recognizing graduates who attain high proficiency in English and one or more world languages.

Provides nutritious meals to middle and high school students to support physical and cognitive development, academic performance, and overall well-being.

Conducts monthly field lessons and operates a two-week June Mini-Mester program with field trips to culturally significant sites such as the Statue of Liberty, the Bronx Zoo, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia to apply classroom knowledge in real-world contexts.

Administers interim assessments every six weeks using Scholastic Reading Inventory, Scholastic Math Inventory, and NWEA tools to monitor student progress and inform instruction.

Raises awareness about the health benefits of whole food, plant-based nutrition through outreach at fairs, festivals, film screenings, and informational tables. Activities include nutrition education and food-label literacy initiatives.

Offers nutrition and cooking classes, market tours, workshops, and experiential events to build knowledge and skills in plant-based living. These programs are delivered in person and online, often in collaboration with partner organizations, and include structured curricula such as the Food for Life program.