Preparing students for post-secondary success means more than academic achievement alone. At United Charter High Schools, it also means cultivating student leaders who will shape the future of their communities. From freshman year through graduation, our students learn about civic responsibility through real-world projects, community partnerships, and meaningful action that makes a difference in New York City and beyond. Civic Engagement is a hallmark of our rigorous and preparatory tuition-free high schools.
Our commitment to civic excellence is evident in our results: last year, 66% of graduates earned the prestigious New York State Seal of Civic Readiness on their diplomas. This distinction, recognized by colleges and employers alike, signifies students who have demonstrated high-level proficiency in civic knowledge, skills, and real-world experience.
Central to this mission is our Senior Capstone Project, where students apply four years of their rigorous learning at UCHS to address real-world challenges. These legacy projects require students to identify local issues, develop solutions, and present their work to guest judges who provide meaningful feedback. Teens gain practical skills that are essential for future civic participation while fostering the critical thinking needed to make a lasting community impact.
One example of this type of Senior Capstone Project is an initiative undertaken by the AMS Class of 2024. Recognizing that many of their peers aspired to medical and STEM careers but were also concerned about navigating competitive programs, students researched the lack of diversity in medical fields and launched an internal mentorship program for peers interested in medical or STEM careers. Guided by teachers and advisors, they hosted two workshops on applying to the NYU Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP), provided application and interview support, identified 16 students for mentorship (with three accepted into STEP), and organized on-site visits to Bellevue Hospital and NYU Langone Hospital. The project spanned the school year, incorporating in-person and virtual activities to expose students to real-world medical careers.
Looking ahead to the 2025-26 school year, we’re expanding our engagement in civic-minded initiatives to address broader New York City and national issues. This evolution reflects our belief that today’s students must think beyond their immediate surroundings to become truly effective changemakers. The culmination of these efforts will be our inaugural “Best of the Best” Civic Engagement Symposium in Spring 2026, where outstanding student projects will compete for scholarship funding while showcasing the innovative solutions our students bring to pressing societal challenges.
This comprehensive approach to civic education exemplifies what sets United Charter High Schools apart. By combining our rigorous college preparatory curriculum with meaningful community engagement, we ensure our graduates leave not only prepared for top universities and post-secondary success, but equipped with the skills, confidence, and civic-mindedness to lead positive change in their communities and beyond.
About United Charter High Schools
United Charter High Schools (formerly New Visions) is a network of seven award-winning and tuition-free charter schools serving 9th-12th grade students and families across the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. We are united in our mission to close the opportunity gap by ensuring equal access to rigorous STEAM and Humanities academics and unwavering support for post-secondary readiness. Get to know us at www.unitedcharter.org and follow us on Instagram and Facebook. Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year is open now.
