High School for Recording Arts is proud to announce that as of August 16, 2007, The Charter Schools Institute, on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York received our application for the proposed High School for Recording Arts New York Charter School (HSRA NY CS). Submitting the application was a valiant team effort. Studio 4 and HSRA founder, David Ellis, provided historical, program and inspirational support while HSRA NY CS proposed board chair Justin Cohen assisted with valuable insight and advice regarding the New York charter application process. Also, members of both Studio 4/HSRA/MN and the HSRA NY CS Planning Team contributed significantly to this proud moment. I am very appreciative to everyone for their well wishes and to those who helped out after my accident. I am especially appreciative of the stepped up leadership of Leslie Talbot. But for her dogged determination to complete the application, we would not be at this point.

Lastly, we cannot say enough about the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO) Smalls School’s Project Director, Isaac Ewell, his staff, and the staff of the NYC Center for Charter School Excellence for all their support. There were also many other friends who supported us that we hope know how much we appreciate their time and efforts.

There is much work that lies ahead. However, this website is created to specifically highlight the huge effort we will need to raise the significant funds necessary to open HSRA NY CS successfully. We will need the support and resources of all our friends and partners and will soon communicate how that help may be given. To start, we have provided some general information regarding our program along with our contact information. Please feel free to let us know if you are willing to join our proud team and/or propose any program or fund development ideas. We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Tony Simmons
Proposed Executive Director, HSRA NY CS

HSRA Mission Statement

The mission of the High School for Recording Arts New York Charter School (HSRA NY CS) is to provide youth the opportunity to achieve a high school diploma through the exploration and operation of the music business and other creative endeavors. HSRA NY CS accomplishes this by providing a small community that:

• Is culturally sensitive
• Offers alternative educational programming
• Provides a personalized standards-driven, project-based model
• Recruits and retains diverse student and staff populations
• Maintains a drug-free learning environment
• Is adult-supervised with student-directed learning
• Offers positive mentoring
• Provides a safe space
• Offers job training

HSRA Education Concept

The High School for Recording Arts New York Charter School will deliver an educational program that engages learners, many of whom have been expelled, dropped out, or are otherwise not enrolled in school, through the exploration and operation of the music business. The HSRA NY CS educational program operates together with a professional music production facility, Studio 4. A student’s time is spent mastering validations (academic and life skills) and state-mandated learning standards through individual/group projects related to core subject areas along with those critical to the music industry. Access to the recording studio and key industry components helps to keep students focused and motivated for academic learning.

HSRA’s unique approach to learning engages and retains young people who might otherwise end up on the streets without a high school education. The music curriculum provides hands-on experience in starting one’s own business, non-violent problem solving, and how to work together with a team. The curriculum provides incentives for further study and higher education, lays the groundwork for personal business development, and builds students confidence and familiarity with the services and institutions of society. Through these programs, HSRA helps turn youth who might otherwise become societal problems into productive members of our community. Engaging these youth in positive projects keeps them out of trouble and out of jail. HSRA’s programs provide these adolescents with business and job skills necessary for entry level and skilled positions in the recording industry and various other occupations. This education and training ensures that students are employable further solidifying their long-term economic well being and contribution to society.

Key Program Features

• Standards-driven, project-based learning educational model
• Professional recording studio operating within school facility so that students gain access to industry professionals as necessary adjuncts to the school’s certified staff and their overall learning experience
• Opportunity to receive certification in skills necessary to provide services within a professional recording studio
• School design and resources arranged in a manner to provide students the experience of operating their own recording business within their school facility
• Opportunity to intern within the recording and other industries

Following are a few of the learning experiences HSRA promotes as a part of the regular curriculum to achieve remarkable results in student learning and attitude:

• Production of commercial grade CD music projects (many with a public service message) that have been distributed around the world.
• Numerous domestic and international travels with students planning all logistics and other aspects of the trips.
• Production of a weekly 30-minute radio show for a successful commercial radio station that features music from students at HSRA and other schools.
• Creation of high quality graphic art, web sites, and videos as necessary adjuncts to students‚Äô music project creations.
• Student performance of original music at many high visibility events.
• Numerous public presentations of individual or group projects.
• Opportunity to be mentored by or network with adults in the recording arts and other industries.
• The establishment and operation of several student-run small businesses including Another Level Records.

HSRA NY CS Accomplishments to Date

• We have received two planning grants: the first for $35,000 from the BAEO Gates Small Schools Project and the second for $50,000 from the NYC Center for Charter School Excellence.
• We have assembled a group of committed and talented individuals who have become the HSRA NY CS Planning Team.
• We have submitted the charter application to our authorizer, the Charter Schools Institute of the State University of New York (SUNY).

Upcoming Dates and Events

• December 8, 2008, 7p.m. - HSRA NY CS Board Holiday Celebration (contact Leslie Talbot for details)

Key Contacts

Tony Simmons, HSRA NY CS Proposed Executive Director - tony@hsra.org; 651-717-5646
Leslie Talbot, Charter Applicant, Business & Program Development - leslie@talbotconsulting.com; 212-864-6762
Justin Cohen, HSRA NY CS Proposed Board Chair, Fund Development - justincohen@gmail.com; 609-636-3131
Anthony Marshall, HSRA NY CS Proposed Board Member, Chair Fund Development - antmarshall@gmail.com; 917-557-9244
David “TC” Ellis, HSRA Founder - david@studio-4.com; 612-414-4730
Diana Noriega, HSRA NY CS Planning Team Member, Fund Development - dnoriega23@yahoo.com; 646-315-3460
Amy Gruszewski - nycamyg@gmail.com; 917-345-4351
David Kingsbury, HSRA Technology Director - dk@hsra.org; 952-212-9680