History:

In 2000, Foundation for a Greater Opportunity, a foundation funded by Carl C. Icahn, applied to open a charter elementary school in the South Bronx. The application, in partnership with CEI-PEA, was submitted to SUNY’s Charter Schools Institute, which approved the charter in March 2001.

The school was built at 1525 Brook Avenue and opened for K-2 grades in September 2001, with 108 students. The school has added a grade each year. In 2007-2008 we will have 324 children in grades K-8.

The school’s program is based on the Tennessee Class-Size Study’s findings that small classes in the early grades have long-lasting benefits. Our students’ achievement has been so extraordinary that we plan to continue through middle school.

Along with his varied and successful professional projects, Carl C. Icahn created the Foundation for a Greater Opportunity. One of its primary missions is to improve education in New York City. Mr. Icahn’s goal is to prove that all children can learn if they are in a rigorous academic program. He believes that charter schools can radically improve public education. The accountability and autonomy of charter schools assure that the schools will be held to a high standard.

The board of Carl C. Icahn Charter School includes leaders in education, health and the corporate sector.