Democracy Prep Public Schools

Democracy Prep Public Schools (Democracy Prep) is a network of 21 schools around the country. The partnership with the NYU Teacher Residency is in two New York City high schools: one in Harlem, and one in the Bronx. The network’s mission is to ​​educate responsible citizen-scholars for success in the college of their choice and a life of active citizenship.

Democracy Prep began in 2005 with a laser-like civic focus. Still with that focus, it now centers on the idea of empowering the voices of both scholars and staff. Students have more time to learn: they attend academic classes for at least eight hours each day for 190 days each year and are offered additional summer and Saturday academies for extra support. They take a rigorous college-prep curriculum: this means two hours of math, three hours of literacy, one hour of science, and one hour of social studies every day as well as art, theater, music, health, and physical education. High schools offer Korean language, speech and debate, a cappella music, and AP courses for all students. Data-driven decision making and a structured and supportive school culture focus on educating all students. Lastly, the network prioritizes attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional adults. 

Scholarly empowerment is a hallmark of Democracy Prep. Students engage in “get out the vote” campaigns, “change the world” projects, and even write proposals to teachers and administrators to change the curriculum or the school calendar. The network encourages its scholars to get into “good trouble,” a phrase inspired by and attributed to the late US Congressman John Lewis.

Democracy Prep continues to find innovative ways to define what it means to educate all children. One of its signature programs in its high schools is the PACE program. This program offers a specialized education for high school students who require a 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio, as stated in their Individualized Education Plan. The PACE program strengthens the relationships between scholars and teachers. Students receive the instruction they need in an environment in which they will thrive. 

As a teacher with Democracy Prep, your growth and career development are top concerns. The people focus within the network means that there are many different layers of the talent pipeline. If you’re a teacher who excels and wants to stay in the classroom, Democracy Prep has tracks that will enable you to grow in your teaching.  If you want to move into leadership, there are tracks that exist for that as well. More than anything, there is always a team available to work with you, reinforce skills, and collaborate on solutions to any challenges you may experience.