Becoming Part of the Bushwick Ascend Community

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• Family name: Almodovar

• Student: Nathan, Sixth Grade

• Years With Ascend: Four

Heidi Almodovar was searching for a school that met her son Nathan’s learning needs, helped develop his confidence and provided a welcoming environment.

“Walking into [Ascend] felt like we were walking into our home.”

Why Bushwick Ascend Charter Middle School?

Heidi Almodovar’s first experience with Ascend was at her son Nathan’s karate class. The students were confident, approaching their homework with a positive attitude that impressed Heidi — she wanted to find a school that helped Nathan feel the same way.

After moving to Ascend in third grade, Nathan and Heidi were quickly welcomed into the tight-knit community of students, teachers, staff and parents. Nathan soon got to know everyone at the school and loves the environment, his teachers and has been progressing through his studies.

The Bushwick Ascend Charter School Experience: Supporting Student Success

Like many students with special needs, Nathan has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) designed to give him the support he needs in order to learn at his best. His teachers take the time to make sure he understands assignments and concepts and his IEP counselor is always looking for ways to help Nathan succeed. If there are ever challenges, everyone at the school is comfortable and proactive in reaching out to Heidi so they can put their heads together and come up with a plan. That kind of support has been huge for Nathan’s development and has given Heidi peace of mind knowing that everyone at Ascend is committed to helping Nathan, and every other student, succeed.

Nathan’s Growth and Transformation at Bushwick Ascend Middle School

Nathan came to Ascend as a good reader, but comprehension sometimes gave him trouble. His teacher took the time to help Nathan learn how to ask “who? why? and what?” questions that helped comprehension, and his IEP counselor arranged for further in-school tutoring twice a week. These days, Nathan is confident in his reading comprehension — he feels like he’s got this.

Reading comprehension is just one area where Nathan’s teachers have helped him grow. No matter the subject or area, they know how to strike the right balance between guiding Nathan and encouraging him to be more independent. By giving Nathan the learning tools and right support, Ascend is helping him get the most out of his education.

Building Community at Ascend

Ascend has not only been great for Nathan’s learning development, but he and Heidi have become part of the wider Ascend community. Heidi has enjoyed getting to know other parents at events and performances. She appreciates the care Ascend takes in connecting parents and students not only with teachers, administrators and staff, but with the other families at the school. It allows her to get to know the people Nathan spends his time around and appreciate the unique community for what it is:

“[T]he whole school feel[s] like a safe, warm environment. We are their neighborhood, and it feels good to see an excellent school welcoming more students and families into our Bushwick community.”

As for others who are considering Ascend, Heidi has one piece of advice to consider. “If you want a school with a strong structure, where there are loving and dedicated teachers who work with you to meet your child’s unique needs, that’s what Ascend has provided for me and my son.”

Starting Your Ascend Public Charter School Journey

If you would like to experience Ascend or learn more about our schools, reach out to your local Ascend school. We are always ready to answer any questions you may have and help you start your own Ascend journey. Want to become part of Ascend? Learn how to enroll your student.