Dear Brilla Families, Friends, and Staff,
As we enter a new season of growth and possibility, I am filled with immense gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead at Brilla Schools. This winter, we came together as a community for our Annual Updates and State of the Schools presentations—two important moments to reflect on our progress, recognize our challenges, and set a bold vision for the future. These gatherings reaffirmed our commitment to ensuring that every Brilla student thrives holistically and that every Brilla staff member has what they need to do their best work.
Celebrating Our Growth & Success
Our State of the Schools presentation highlighted our students and educators’ incredible strides. The data is clear—Brilla is excelling!
Brilla ranks among the top-performing schools in the Bronx!
- ELA Performance: Ranked 3rd out of 44 Bronx schools serving comparable populations of students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and economically disadvantaged students.
- Math Performance: Ranked 3rd out of 50 Bronx schools with similar demographics.
A culture of engagement and excellence
- More than 50% of students met their Fall-to-Winter growth goals in ELA and Math, a testament to their hard work and the commitment of our educators.
- Increased staff attendance and engagement, reflecting the unwavering dedication of our incredible team.
This progress is not by chance—it is the result of the relentless pursuit of excellence by our teachers, leaders, students, and families.
New Student-Centered Initiatives
To continue elevating student success, we’re launching new programs and expanding support systems this year:
- 📖 Brilla Reading Quest—Our targeted tutoring initiative for select grades is off to a strong start, with additional enrichment sessions on Tuesday afternoons and Saturday mornings.
- ☀️ Summer Learning Resources—We will soon release our Family Summer Resource Guide to help families combat learning loss over the summer. We are also launching an in-house summer program for select grades across two of our school districts—more details coming soon!
A Historic Moment: Two New Homes for Brilla Schools!
I am thrilled to share a significant milestone in our journey—we have secured two new school buildings in the Bronx, expanding our impact and strengthening our community.
🏫 Brilla Pax Has Found a Permanent Home!
Starting in 2025-2026, Brilla Pax Elementary and our newly-formed Brilla Pax Middle will move into the former Sacred Heart School (1248 Nelson Ave, Bronx). This move allows us to offer a seamless K-8 experience for our families and foster even deeper relationships in our Pax community.
✨ What this means for our students:
- A full gymnasium for PE, sports, and community events
- More outdoor space for recess and exploration
- A dedicated cafeteria for a better dining experience
🏫 Brilla Veritas Middle School is Coming Together Under One Roof!
Brilla Veritas Middle will now operate grades 5-8 in one unified building at the former Immaculate Conception School (378 East 151st St, Bronx), ensuring a more cohesive student experience.
✨ What this means for our students:
- A full gymnasium for fitness and athletics
- Expansive outdoor spaces for learning and play
- A school large enough to bring our entire middle school community together
In the 2025-2026 school year, Brilla will proudly operate eight schools in the Bronx, including our middle school expansion at Brilla Pax and Caritas!
We’re Growing—And We Need You!
With our expansion comes an opportunity to welcome new talent to the Brilla family. We are actively hiring passionate, mission-driven educators and staff who believe in the power of education to transform the lives of children in the Bronx.
If you or someone you know is looking for a mission-driven, high-impact career in education, visit brillaschools.org to explore open positions and apply today!
Looking Ahead
This moment in Brilla’s history is one of growth, commitment, and promise. Every milestone we celebrate directly results from the dedication and hard work of our students, families, and staff.
Let’s keep the momentum going! I encourage you to stay engaged, share your ideas, and continue walking alongside us as we build a future rooted in excellence, virtue, and opportunity.
Together, we are shaping the future of Brilla. And the future is bright.
Con cariño,
Yeime Valle
Executive Director
Brilla Schools
Brilla Public Charter Schools 