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The rules for effectively teaching students in low-income communities are changing, and they're being rewritten not by legislators, but by educators. Uncommon teachers and leaders are committed to changing the lives of students through education.

Partner with us to rewrite the rules.

Nationwide, our education system is in crisis. Compared with 75% of students from the highest income families, only 9% of students from the lowest income families graduate from college. In the nation's 20 largest urban school districts, 50% of students drop out before completing high school.

We believe that this is the civil rights issue of our time.

Uncommon Schools starts and manages outstanding urban public charter schools that close the achievement gap and prepare all students to graduate from college. Across 16 schools, our nearly 3,000 students are developing the knowledge, skills, and character to succeed in a life full of opportunity and promise.

The demand for our schools is growing, evidenced by the nearly 4,500 students on our waiting lists. Families, community officials, and national leaders are calling for Uncommon Schools to expand. With strong, talented leaders, and a proven, replicable model, we are embarking on an ambitious growth plan to open 17 new schools over the next five years.

Now is the time to invest in the success of our students, families, and staff.

Uncommon Schools maintains a strong commitment to sustainability. Each of our schools will operate on the public dollar at full enrollment. In the near term, we need your support to supplement public funding. 

In the start-up phase of a school, operating support is critical. Given many one-time expenses and initially low levels of enrollment, the per-pupil cost of running a school is higher in the early years. In order to provide our students with a consistently stellar educational program from the day the school opens, each new school must hire staff and invest in the full breadth of its program as if it were operating at full capacity.

With your support, we will be able to serve thousands more students, and ensure that all of our students continue to close the achievement gap.

Together, we will grow to 33 schools, serving nearly 12,000 students, and demonstrate the viability of a scaled and systemic solution to urban education reform.

Make a donation.

Please join us. Click here to make an online donation.

If you would prefer to make a donation by check, please mail this form with your check made payable to "Uncommon Schools" to:

Uncommon Schools

c/o RHF

826 Broadway, 9th floor

New York, NY 10003

Attn: Brigid Ganley

As we grow, we will direct your contribution towards the programs and schools that need it most. If you would like to donate to a specific Uncommon school, please specify how your gift should be directed in the "School Designation" box on the online form, or on the memo line of your check.

Thank you for your support of Uncommon Schools.