Graham Browne, founder of Forte Prep Charter School in Elmhurst, Queens, shared his journey inspired by a life-changing scholarship. He emphasized the importance of creating educational opportunities for diverse students. Browne discussed the challenges of starting the school, including finding a building and recruiting staff, and the initial operation in a daycare basement. He highlighted the school’s community-focused approach, supporting students from diverse backgrounds and languages. Browne envisions Forte Prep graduates as leaders who own their futures. He also credited the school’s success to a dedicated team that has evolved the vision beyond his initial efforts.
Transcript
Outline
Graham Browne’s Journey to Founding Forte Prep
- Robert Bellafiore introduces Graham Browne, founder of Forte Prep, a public charter school in Elmhurst, Queens.
- Graham Browne shares his motivation for founding Forte Prep, inspired by a scholarship program he received in Newark, New Jersey, which changed his life.
- He realized the flaws in the public education system and wanted to create opportunities for students like himself.
- Graham spent his academic career focused on urban education and policy, working in a nonprofit consulting firm before founding Forte Prep.
Encounter with Building Excellent Schools
- Graham Browne discusses his encounter with Building Excellent Schools during his graduate studies.
- He applied for and was accepted into their summer leadership internship, where he shadowed a leader at a charter school in Harlem.
- Graham met Linda Brown, who had high expectations for leaders and tested his mettle during the internship.
- Despite the challenges, Graham and Linda became good friends, and she became a great supporter of Forte Prep.
Establishing Forte Prep in Queens
- Graham Browne wanted to establish Forte Prep in the New York metropolitan area, specifically in Queens, a diverse community with limited strong school options.
- He spent a year researching, writing the charter, recruiting a board, and engaging with the community to understand their goals and aspirations.
- Forte Prep opened in 2017 with 89 students in the basement of a daycare, later expanding to a 30,000 square foot middle school location.
- Graham faced numerous challenges, including finding a building and recruiting staff, but persevered with the support of the community.
Challenges and Perseverance
- Graham Browne recounts the difficulties of finding a building and recruiting staff without a physical location.
- He faced insurmountable hurdles, including difficulty in getting meetings with city council members and recruiting staff.
- Despite the challenges, families showed interest, and Forte Prep had a lottery with a waitlist in its first year.
- Graham emphasizes the importance of hope and the promise of something better for the students and community.
Community Engagement and School Growth
- Graham Browne highlights the importance of community engagement and building strong relationships with families.
- Forte Prep conducted home visits to connect with students and their families, ensuring the school reflected their interests and cultures.
- The school hosted events like cafecitos to involve families and build a sense of community.
- Forte Prep’s success led to 40% of applications being direct referrals from current families, demonstrating the school’s strong community support.
Impact of Multilingualism
- Graham Browne discusses the diverse languages spoken by Forte Prep students, including Spanish, Tagalog, Arabic, Mandarin, and many others.
- The school has bilingual and multilingual staff to better communicate with students and their families.
- The diversity of the student population is a source of pride for the school, reflecting the broader community.
- The school’s efforts to support students from diverse backgrounds are integral to its mission and success.
Vision for the Future
- Graham Browne envisions Forte Prep’s graduating classes becoming leaders who own their futures and create their own opportunities.
- He aims for the school to prepare students for college, careers, and life, with a focus on student-led initiatives and community involvement.
- The school will continue to support students in gaining college credits and connecting them to job opportunities.
- Graham’s vision is for Forte Prep to be a community institution that empowers students to choose their own future.
Choosing the Charter Path
- Graham Browne explains his decision to found Forte Prep as a charter school rather than working for a school district or private school.
- He believes the charter movement provides the autonomy and flexibility needed to address urgent educational needs quickly.
- The charter route allowed him to create a public institution to meet the growing needs of the community in Queens.
- Graham emphasizes the importance of public institutions in supporting a diverse population of students.
Team Building and School Evolution
- Graham Browne reflects on the growth of Forte Prep from a small team to a school with 75 educators.
- He highlights the contributions of key team members who have been part of the school since its inception.
- The school’s success is attributed to the diverse and dedicated team that has evolved and improved the school’s vision and mission.
- Graham feels proud of the school’s evolution and the impact it has had on the community.
Final Thoughts and Reflections
- Graham Browne expresses gratitude for the team that has made Forte Prep a success.
- He acknowledges the challenges and the importance of perseverance in building the school.
- The school’s success is a testament to the vision and hard work of the team and the community.
- Graham concludes by emphasizing the importance of community engagement and the impact of public education on diverse student populations.
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