Our Story
At BRICK, we help children and families achieve their dreams by providing support from early childhood to career readiness. We focus on three key areas—holistic support, excellent schools, and college and career services— to nurture personal and collective prosperity.
Supporting families from pre-cradle-to-career through holistic support, excellent schools, and clear pathways to college and career.
Our Journey
BRICK’s story began at Shabazz High School, where a group of Teach for America alumni recognized an urgent need for better educational pathways. They saw that a systemic lack of support was preventing students from reaching their potential. These visionaries decided it was time for teachers to create change for youth, aiming to radically improve educational outcomes starting from elementary levels. In partnership with Newark Public Schools, the group successfully turned around two underperforming schools and later chartered Achieve Clinton Hill Charter School to further serve kids in the South Ward.
In the last fourteen years of BRICK’s growth, we’ve stayed rooted in our mission to remove barriers that prevent students from reaching their potential. Along the way, we’ve created holistic support systems—from housing to prenatal care, to education and beyond— that lay the groundwork for academic success and ensure students not only meet but exceed grade-level expectations.
In 2018, BRICK launched the South Ward Promise Neighborhood, a powerful collaborative effort of more than 30 organizations working together to invest in South Ward families. This expanded initiative has allowed BRICK to focus on children's holistic development. BRICK continues to combine an innovative schooling model with the necessary supports outside of the classroom.
Over the course of our work, we’ve developed and tested a new school model that fundamentally reimagines how to support the life trajectory of children most impacted by systemic poverty and racism. This evolution reflects our commitment to breaking cycles of disadvantage and equipping students to fulfill their own visions of success, continually adapting to meet changing needs with innovative solutions.
As we evolve, BRICK is focused on codifying our model, expanding to more communities, and continuing to innovate and build out sustainable solutions. Our foundation remains rooted in the belief that every child deserves the tools to build their future.
Building a Strong Foundation for Success
Explore the timeline below to learn about the key milestones in BRICK's history.
2010
Founding of BRICK
Led by Dominique Lee, TFA teachers organize to create more academic opportunities for youth in the South Ward of Newark.
2014
Expand programs beyond the classroom
Launched the South Ward Children’s Alliance to provide support to the community outside of the school building.
2016
Improved school outcomes
The group successfully turns around two underperforming traditional public schools.
2017
Achieve Clinton Hill Charter School
Building on this initial success, BRICK strengthens the model, chartering a new public school, Achieve Clinton Hill Charter School, to further serve kids in the South Ward.
2017
Awarded Promise Neighborhood grant
South Ward Children’s Alliance awarded a $30MM Promise Neighborhood Grant from the U.S Department of Education.
2021
Awarded 2nd Promise Neighborhood grant
South Ward Children’s Alliance, now DBA South Ward Promise Neighborhood (SWPN) awarded 2nd $30MM Promise Neighborhood Grant from the U.S. Department of Education
2023
Launching Gateway Academy
To provide a full K-12 education continuum to South Ward residents, BRICK facilitates the merger of People’s Prep and Achieve, launching Gateway Academy.
2023
BRICK Buffalo
BRICK founds our second region in Buffalo with the opening of BRICK Buffalo Academy Charter School.
Our work today
Perinatal Health Associate Training Program
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our Perinatal Health Associate Training Program.
Pop-Up Coat Giveaway, Newark, Essex County
Unconventional college center, ‘Gateway U,’ officially opens campus in N.J.
Deja Johnson shared how her father's death in 2017 halted her final semester and future plans.
Support BRICK’s future
We have big dreams for what’s next! Help us grow our impact and pave the way to greater opportunity for our children and families.
2025 - 2026
South Ward Wellness Center moves to permanent site at 485 Clinton Avenue.
2025 - 2026
Open up BRICK middle and high school in Buffalo.