Círculo de la Hispanidad 43rd Anniversary Spring Gala

The philosophy behind Evergreen Charter School is to prepare children to live in a global community, one that respects and values the dignity of all and prepares children for success in school and life. The Evergreen Middle School began operating for the FIRST TIME during the 2017-2018 school year. The Evergreen High School began operating for the FIRST TIME during the 2020-2021 school year. We are grateful to all that supported this effort. Sadly, we continue to have a waiting list and it has only grown each year from several hundred to over five hundred students. This year’s lottery on April 5, 2023 had more than 650 applicants for only 125 spaces. While we are sad to have so many on the waiting list, we are happy that the Board of Regents enabled us to expand a few years ago to serve many more applicants. We recognize that parents want a future for their children, like any parent, like us; they want an alternative to the education they are receiving in Hempstead where the current graduation rates are low. The exciting news this year is that we have closed on bonds, through the Town of Hempstead Local Development Corporation, in the amount of $75,000,000. The bonds (a loan), has enabled us to start construction on our Secondary School Facility located at 33 Laurel Avenue, Hempstead, NY. We celebrated our groundbreaking on April, 22, 2023. The school is designed to meet GOLD LEED (leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards by the US Green Building Council.

Evergreen Charter School

To all who are part of Evergreen’s family, ¡GRACIAS! Thank You!

History of the School

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E vergreen Charter School received its charter on January 13, 2009. It was first granted a five-year charter by the New York State Education Department Board of Regents to operate an elementary school in Hempstead, Long Island. The school opened with a kindergarten and first grade class of 100 students in the fall of 2009. Since then, it has grown and now serves 975 students from kindergarten to eleventh grade. Next fall, 2023, Evergreen will serve students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The concept for Evergreen Charter School was developed by Mr. Gil Bernardino, Founder and Executive Director of Círculo de la Hispanidad and Dr. Sarah Brewster, Chief Director of Services and Operations of Círculo de la Hispanidad. With support from Círculo’s employees, Board of Trustees and friends, Evergreen took form. The Planning Board for Evergreen Charter School included: David Boone, Maritza Meyers, Luis Ras, Eliezer Reyes, Gladys Rodríguez, Rebecca Sanin, and Gerry Vázquez. Círculo also consulted with Sy Fliegel, Harvey Newman, Frank San Felice, and Linda Vergara. Círculo is thankful for those who contributed to helping the dream for Evergreen become a reality. The vision of Evergreen emerged in response to the systematic failure of the local Hempstead School District to serve the educational needs of these students. In the past, less than 50% of students graduated from high school. Mr. Bernardino, Founder and Executive Director of Círculo de la Hispanidad, a community based nonprofit organization serving Nassau County residents and their families since 1980, wanted to create an educational institution that would meet the needs of these students and their families. Dr. Sarah Brewster with her background in education and social work and her love and respect for the environment joined with Mr. Gil Bernardino to develop the vision of the charter school. What developed was a concept for a strong academic program coupled with a curriculum that emphasized the environment, the arts and knowledge of a second language (Spanish).

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