About TRCS

In 1993, in an effort to reform public education, a group of teachers and parents worked together to establish The Renaissance School. Energized by a shared conviction that every child has unique and valuable potential that can and deserves to be nurtured, the team worked on a proposal nights and weekends while holding down full-time teaching jobs across the city. Their efforts paid off. Awarded a New Vision’s start-up grant, The Renaissance School was established. Renaissance was unique from the beginning. First, it was designed to be small at a time when the small school movement was just getting underway. Second, it was K-12. Many said this was an impossible task for a public school. Third, it had a unique governance structure that was democratic and valued collaboration and cooperation rather than a top-down management style.

In 2000, the leadership team of Renaissance jumped at the opportunity to convert to charter status because it was believed that the added autonomy granted by The Charter Act, in exchange for increased accountability, would ultimately allow it to more successfully support the learning of its young people. Renaissance was granted its charter and officially became The Renaissance Charter School in May 2000. The charter has been renewed over and over again, and we are currently in our 5th charter, through June 30, 2024. Renewal is contingent on meeting academic and other goals set in the charter, having a strong governance structure, and demonstrating fiscal soundness and sustainability. For this achievement, Renaissance received the prestigious Blackboard Award. Today, Renaissance is one of the city and state’s most successful charter schools.