THE EQUITY PROJECT CHARTER SCHOOL

THE EQUITY PROJECT CHARTER SCHOOL is a Title I public charter middle school that is part of the EQUITY PROJECT CHARTER SCHOOL (THE) school district, located in NEW YORK, NY with about 720 students offering grade levels from Kindergarten to 8th Grade. Student demographics can be found below. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 56 teachers, THE EQUITY PROJECT CHARTER SCHOOL has a student/teacher ratio of about 12:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

The Equity Project (TEP) Charter School is a unique public school model located in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City, known for its innovative approach to teacher compensation and educational equity. Founded on the principle that the quality of instruction is the single most important factor in student achievement, TEP gained national attention by offering a base teacher salary of $125,000—significantly higher than the industry standard. This financial model is designed to attract and retain elite educators, with the expectation that they remain highly accountable for student outcomes through a rigorous performance-based culture.

The school serves a diverse population of students in grades K–8, operating under a philosophy that integrates a high-quality academic curriculum with a heavy focus on the arts, athletics, and character development. By leveraging a longer school day and a professional environment that prioritizes teacher collaboration and career growth, TEP aims to prove that students in historically underserved communities can achieve at the highest levels. The school’s model is frequently studied as a case for education reform, focusing on the idea that investing heavily in human capital can break the cycle of educational inequality.

For more information, contact THE EQUITY PROJECT CHARTER SCHOOL at (646) 254-6451 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.