Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brooklyn Prospect Charter School?

• BPCS is an innovative public charter school whose mission is to pair students with excellent teachers in a college preparatory environment using the pillars of the International Baccalaureate program. 
• BPCS first opened its doors to sixth grade students in 2009. The school  continues to add one grade each year until it will welcome twelfth grade students in the fall of 2015. 
• Our average class size is approximately twenty-four students, with a student to teacher ratio of approximately 12:1.

What is a charter school?

• Charter schools are free, public schools that accept higher degrees of accountability in exchange for fewer bureaucratic regulations. Catering specifically to its student body, a charter school has greater flexibility in scheduling, curriculum design, teacher development and retention, and administrative procedure.
• Students applicants are offered free admission by lottery.

What distinguishes Brooklyn Prospect Charter School?

• We are an International Baccalaureate Candidate School. Supported by a collaborative faculty of high-quality professional educators, students are immersed in a rigorous academic curriculum based on the International Baccalaureate program, specifically designed to prepare students for success in the emerging global community. As of 2012, we are officially a candidate school for the IB Middle Years Programme as well as the IB Diploma Progamme.
• We value diversity. We work hard to ensure that our community reflects the full diversity of our district, Community School District 15. This provides our students the added opportunity of learning from each other.
• We nurture excellent teachers: Significant professional development is required of all faculty. We also offer teachers the chance to participate in a collaborative teaching and learning environment.

Where is Brooklyn Prospect Charter School located?

• For the 2012-13 school year, Brooklyn Prospect will be located at the 3002 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Brooklyn, NY, 11218.

How are admissions determined? What are my chances in the lottery?

• Admission is open to all NYC students. Students who live in our District 15 have preference to seats. Selection is made by random lottery. Students register for our lottery simply by completing an application.
• Brooklyn Prospect offers several admission preferences. Please link here to our admissions page.

How is Brooklyn Prospect Charter School funded?

• Like traditional public schools, public charter schools are funded by the New York State Department of Education based on student enrollment. Brooklyn Prospect receives approximately $12,000 per student (more for low income students and students with special needs) yet additional funds must be raised by our school because this per student stipend is less than that expended for a student enrolled in non-chartered public school.
•  Fundraising supports Brooklyn Prospect’s expanded academic programs, our facility needs, and allows the school to best serve our students.

Whom does Brooklyn Prospect serve?

• Brooklyn Prospect is located in CSD 15 which includes Park Slope, Gowanus, Sunset Park, Red Hook, Windsor Terrace and parts of Downtown Brooklyn. As of the 2012-13 school year, Brooklyn Prospect serves grades six through ninth, with plans to expand one grade per year until 2015 when we will serve grades six through twelve.
• Siblings of current students,students who reside in District 15 and student who reside in the district and qualify for free/reduced lunch and apply for our lottery will be first eligible to enroll at Brooklyn Prospect; once those sibling, free/reduced lunch and district resident applicants are seated, we will admit student applicants who applied from other districts. Each year we anticipate admitting approximately one hundred students into the sixth grade and will admit as many students into our other grades as there are seats available.
• Utilizing the state lottery system, Brooklyn Prospect's goal is to serve a student population that mirrors the demographics of the surrounding community.

My child has an IEP or is receiving other special services, can you accommodate his/her needs?

• We work with the student’s Committee on Special Education to accommodate our students and their individual learning needs. 

Does your school provide services for English Language Learners?

• Services are available to support students who are English Language Learners. 

Does Brooklyn Prospect have a school uniform policy?

• Yes, as of the 2012-2013 school year, Brooklyn Prospect students in grades 6-8are expected to wear school uniforms. Please link to the dress code HERE.  High school students will not be required to wear uniforms.