Letter from the Executive Director and Principal,
2025–2026 School Year
Dear Families,
We hope this message finds you safe, healthy, and enjoying a restful summer as we prepare to welcome you to the 2025–2026 school year.
This past year was another outstanding one for the Charter High School for Law and Social Justice (CHSLSJ)! With your unwavering partnership and encouragement, we continued to advance our mission and support our scholars in achieving academic and personal success. We are proud to share that in our seventh graduating class, 83 scholars graduated from CHSLSJ. An impressive 95% of graduates were accepted into college, with 92% enrolling this fall and 3 students entering the military.
In addition to their post-secondary plans, 8% of graduates are pursuing careers in law-related fields, while 14% are entering STEM or medical programs. Half of our scholars completed college-level or AP coursework, earning college credits that saved their families thousands of dollars in tuition. Most notably, 74% of graduates were the first in their families to complete high school and attend college, and the class earned a total of $1.3 million in scholarships and financial aid.
These accomplishments reflect the hard work of our students and the steadfast support of their families, our faculty, and the Board of Trustees. We could not be prouder.
We are excited to begin the 2025–2026 school year, and we extend a warm welcome to all returning and new families!
Our school continues to be led by Principal Jose Ferrer, whose experience, leadership, and passion for equity and education have made a lasting impact on our community. Mr. Ferrer has been a core part of CHSLSJ since 2019 and continues to be a respected, student-centered leader. He is joined by our returning leadership team, who are committed to providing a safe, rigorous, and engaging learning environment for every scholar.
The first full day for students is Thursday, September 4 and orientation will take place from 8:00AM - 10:00AM, families are encouraged to attend. The school building opens at 8:00 AM and classes begin at 8:25 AM. Students must arrive at school by 8:15 AM to be seated and ready to learn on time. Punctuality and consistent attendance remain critical pillars of our school culture and academic success.
This year, scholars will follow a comprehensive academic schedule that includes both core and elective courses, fostering academic excellence, creativity, and social development. Our after-school program begins at 3:00 PM, offering robust extracurricular, athletic, and academic enrichment opportunities. We strongly encourage all students to participate in at least one after-school activity to deepen their engagement in the school community.
Together, we remain focused on our long-term vision: to become the premier law and social justice high school in New York City. Our commitment to equity, safety, and community-building will guide everything we do. We believe deeply in the potential of every scholar and in the strength of our families and community to help them thrive.
Thank you once again for your continued support. We look forward to a productive and inspiring year ahead.
If you have any questions or concerns about the upcoming school year, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly.
Warm regards,
Richard Burke
Executive Director / Head of School
Jose Ferrer
Principal