At The Threshold of a New Decade 

Dear families, staff, and friends,

I write to you today with a heart filled with gratitude and a deep sense of purpose as I embark on my journey as the Executive Director of Brilla Schools Network. It is an incredible privilege to address you all for the first time in this capacity. Reflecting on the past ten years, I am reminded of our humble beginnings when Brilla was merely a dream in the hearts of a small group of passionate individuals. Together, we set out to provide classically inspired, academically excellent, and character-rich education to the children of the Bronx. Today, with six campuses and over 1600 students across nine grade levels, we have grown into a vibrant community dedicated to the pursuit of excellence for our children.

Enrollment: Our children are the heartbeat of our schools, and we owe our existence to the trust you have placed in us. Our mission is to extend the reach of high-quality, holistic education to as many children as possible. In the coming year, we will devote our energy to better understanding the needs of our community and expanding our enrollment. We are excited to announce that we are currently enrolling students across all our campuses for the upcoming school year! I encourage you to explore our website for more information and share this opportunity with your friends and loved ones. At Brilla, love manifests through purposeful partnerships, meaningful engagement, and exceptional customer service. Families who enter our schools often find themselves falling in love with the Brilla experience, cherishing it for years to come.

Academics: A cornerstone of our mission is to prepare students for success in high school, college, and beyond. Allow me to share the story of Kimberly, a remarkable student at Brilla. When she started this year, Kimberly was facing the challenges of learning loss due to the impact of the pandemic, starting one grade level behind in reading. Through the unwavering support of her teachers and our targeted literacy program in the third grade, Kimberly has experienced over a year’s worth of growth in literacy in just three months! She now surpasses grade-level expectations in reading and exudes confidence. Our aim is to ensure that every Brilla student has the opportunity to achieve such remarkable growth. Wisdom finds its foundation in knowledge, and the ability to read and comprehend is a fundamental human right. At Brilla Schools, we empower our students to accelerate their reading abilities, ensuring that each one performs at or above grade level. Every student who joins Brilla embarks on a transformative journey as a reader.

Culture: At Brilla, our culture rests upon an unwavering belief in the inherent dignity of each person and the profound joy that comes from loving others. Our culture permeates every aspect of our work and is celebrated through special events throughout the year. One notable occasion is our 8th-grade prom, where our students come together to celebrate friendship and community. This year, Maestro’s Caterer was transformed into a magical world, offering delightful food, enchanting music, and exuberant dancing, all crowned by a grand red carpet entrance. As Siennah, one of our students, aptly remarked, “We will remember this for a while!” Such events stand as testaments to our commitment to honoring the dignity and goodness of our community. 

To our parents, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for entrusting us with the education and well-being of your children. You are our most valued partners, and we cherish the opportunity to work hand in hand with you. To our exceptional teachers and staff, thank you for your unwavering dedication and the love you bring to our schools each day. Your commitment and passion make all the difference in the lives of our students. To our supporters, I express my sincere appreciation for your unwavering faith in our mission. It is an honor to stand alongside each and every one of you, united in our pursuit of educational excellence and holistic growth.

With warm regards,

Mrs. Yeime White de Valle

Executive Director, Brilla Schools Network