Challenge Charter School will open its new high school at 1520 Central Ave. in Far Rockaway this fall. Courtesy of Challenge Charter School
Challenge to open new high school in Far Rockaway
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | JUNE 26-JULY 2, 2020 27
BY BILL PARRY
Celebrating its first decade in Far
Rockaway, Challenge Charter School
is opening a new high school for the
2020-21 academic year.
The opening represents the fulfillment
of a long-held dream of founder
and CEO, Rev. Dr. Les Mullings who
began Challenge Preparatory Charter
School in 2010.
The new Challenge Charter High
School will be a Career and Technical
Education (CTE) and Early College
school starting with ninth grade. Four
pathways are offered in allied health,
aviation, culinary arts and hospitality
in partnership with industry and
higher education institutions.
Graduates of the unique high
school will receive either industry certification
or an associate’s degree. The
school welcomes transferring high
school students for the 2020-21 academic
year.
“Our new school is a dream fulfilled,”
Mullings said. “At Challenge
Charter School, we have always been
dedicated to the future of our scholars,
and this is the next step in helping
them become ready for the work and
the world ahead.”
Demand for seats at Challenge
Charter School has remained strong
with more than 1,500 applicants each
year hoping for placement in 100-plus
kindergarten seats along with limited
open seats in grades 1 through 8. At
full-term development of the school,
Challenge Charter School will serve
1,560 students in the Far Rockaway
community. It currently serves more
than 800 students at three sites.
In a letter to Challenge Charter
School families earlier this month,
Mullings warned that questions remain
to be answered regarding the
upcoming year due to the COVID-19
shutdown.
“While we wait for answers from
state and local officials, our leadership
team has already been meeting regularly
to work on our plans for the 2020-
21 academic year,” Mullings wrote.
“We will provide updates as soon as
we have more information about how
learning will continue, but know that
learning will indeed continue whether
remotely or onsite.”
Mullings also addressed the unrest
in New York City and the nation in recent
weeks.
“Our focus during this time is in
our scholars, and so through our curriculum,
they are encouraged to learn
and to express their feelings in safe and
constructive ways,” Mullings wrote.
“With everything that our scholars
are experiencing, from the way the
novel coronavirus has disrupted their
school year to the protests and riots, I
want you to know our counselors are
ready and available to speak with your
children.”
There are a few seats available for
incoming freshmen for the 2020-21
school year. Families interested in applying
should contact enrollment coordinator
Stephanie Bratton at sbratton@
challengecharterschools.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail
at bparry@schnepsmedia.com or by
phone at (718) 260–4538.
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