MCS is a small school district that has a public elementary and a middle school in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. 🗽We accept students grades Kindergarten - 8th grade! Our Mission
The mission of Manhattan Charter School for Curious Minds is to teach our students how to learn and love doing it, how to cultivate their curious minds for the rest of their lives, and how to develop a solid foundation on which to base wise choices and build meaningful futures. Our Core Values
Manhattan Charter Schools is grounded in three core values—Opportunity, Curiosity, and Courage—that drive how we work with students and families, staff, leaders, and the community. For example, an instructional hallmark evident in our classrooms is the Opportunity for students to lead small-group instruction or discussion. You will also witness teachers normalizing risk and building in students the courage to fail. Our School Motto
“Changing the World, One Curious Mind at a Time,” encapsulates our belief in the transformative power of an exceptional public education. Our Community
Manhattan Charter School I (MCSI) was founded in July 2004 as a public charter elementary school to offer instruction in grades Kindergarten through Five. MCS opened for its first school year in September 2005 with students in Kindergarten through Grade One. In September of 2006 we added Grade Two, in September of 2007 we added Grade Three. In August of 2008 we added Grade Four and in August of 2009 we added Grade Five. Manhattan Charter School II (MCSII) is a small transiting middle charter school in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. In the spring of 2024, MCSII was accepted by SUNY for a middle school expansion. By 2028 MCSII will serve students in grades 5-8.
