Our Mission
Global Community Charter School (GCCS) serves the Harlem and surrounding community by providing students in grades PreK through 8 with an education that is rigorous, inquiry-based, and teaches students and families to work together across differences in language, culture, economic background, age, and nationality. GCCS prepares students for admission to a challenging secondary education and to exhibit the courage and conviction to make a difference.
Our Values:
Students First: Our school exists to provide a world-class education that will prepare students for success in school and in life. We make every decision and measure every outcome on how well it serves our students.
Diversity: Although we live in a world where the recognition and celebration of diversity alone doesn't always lead to equal opportunities for all people, we celebrate diversity in all forms. Inclusion and respect for diverse people, experiences, and ideas require us to embrace the differences of others to advance our common mission.
Teamwork: We are a united, interdependent team. As individuals, we come to the table with our best work. We expect our individual best to be further enhanced by supportive team members who will, in equal parts, support, challenge, and hold each other accountable.
Excellence: Results Matter. We are responsible for our outcomes and recognize that our actions impact our ability to achieve our success. Everything we do, we do well.
Our Unique School Model
GCCS is proud to be an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, which authorizes us to offer the prestigious Primary Years Program (PYP) to our students. The Primary Years Program is for children aged 3 - 12 and nurtures and develops young students as caring, active participants in a lifelong journey of learning. IB World Schools share a common philosophy — a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education.
Students also receive instruction in dance, music, science, spanish, media and visual arts, and lessons in these subjects are integrated into the academic curriculum of their classrooms.
Developing Global Citizenship
GCCS believes that global citizenship begins with local responsibility. We believe that an engaged and imaginative understanding of the world begins at home. In partnership with parents, children are encouraged to become passionate learners fully connected to the rapidly changing world in which we live. In a diverse and vibrant place like New York City, every block provides new opportunities for learning and inspiration!
Our Students
GCCS currently serves more than 550 students in grades PreK-8. The student body is 28% African-American, 67% Latino, and 5% of mixed ethnicity. Families come from Harlem, Washington Heights, and the Bronx to benefit from the education we offer.
91% of GCCS students are eligible for Federal Free & Reduced Lunch, 19% of our students are English Language Learners (ELLs), and 21% are Students with disabilities (SWDs).
For students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), we have Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) classrooms at every grade level; children with IEPs learn with their peers. We have instructors on staff who work in small groups with ELL students. This work is overseen by our Special Populations Coordinator in collaboration with our Academic Leadership Team.
Our History
Global Community Charter School was founded on the premise that all students are entitled to an exciting and enriching school experience. In order to elevate the curriculum and empower students, the founders adopted a compelling programs to guide the development of their students.
September 2012, the school welcomed its first Kindergarten and First Grade students at West 145th Street
February 2015, we relocated to our current home on on 5th Avenue and 142nd Street
August 2017, GCCS becomes an authorized International Baccalaureate World School
September 2019, we welcomed our first class of PreK students
February 2020, the New York State Education Department approves our expansion to middle school
August 2020, our first 6th grade class begins its middle school journey
August 2021, our new middle school facility opens at 218 West 147th St
June 2023, our first-ever graduating 8th grade class makes their way to high school