The founders of Beginning With Children school in Brooklyn sparked a national trend by providing enhanced educational opportunities for children.
Joseph H. Reich, a prominent financier and philanthropist, passed away on September 29 at the age of 89. Along with his wife, Carol F. Reich, he founded one of New York City’s earliest independently operated public schools, demonstrating that students from underprivileged backgrounds could excel in a non-traditional educational setting. This initiative played a significant role in the development of the city’s charter school movement.
Mr. Reich was driven by the belief that the existing public school system was failing to adequately educate students in low-income areas. In response, he and his wife raised $1 million in funding and secured a facility to establish the Beginning With Children school in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood in 1992. Despite being primarily funded by public money and offering free education to students, the school operated independently from the local school district, setting a new precedent for educational models.
The establishment of Beginning With Children was a pioneering effort, predating the formal legislation of charter schools in New York State by six years. By 1991, the school had already earned recognition as the most improved elementary school in the city, serving as a shining example for the numerous charter schools that emerged in its wake.
The Reiches’ mission statement emphasized their commitment to addressing the educational disparities faced by low-income families. They highlighted the systemic injustice that limited access to quality education for economically disadvantaged students, contrasting it with the privileges enjoyed by wealthier families. Their school aimed to provide a solution to this inequality by offering a high-quality education to all students, regardless of their economic background.
Today, charter schools account for 15 percent of New York City’s student population, with a total of 281 schools operating in the city. However, the debate surrounding the impact of charter schools on traditional public schools remains contentious, with concerns raised about the potential diversion of resources and motivated students from neighborhood schools.
The legacy of Joseph H. Reich and his pioneering work in the field of education continues to influence the landscape of public schooling in New York City. His commitment to providing quality education to all students, regardless of their socioeconomic status, has left a lasting impact on the city’s educational system and serves as a testament to the power of philanthropy and innovation in addressing social inequalities.
Source: The NY Times
