Dear Brilla Families, Friends, and Staff,
A month into the 2025–26 school year, we are still carrying the momentum and deep sense of gratitude that marked our return. The months leading up to this school year were filled with meaningful growth across our schools, as our mission came to life in powerful and inspiring ways.
One of the brightest examples of that growth was our Brilla Solis Summer Program, which reflected our belief that summer isn’t a pause—it’s a sunlit season of discovery. Throughout the summer, Brilla students immersed themselves in a joyful blend of academics, creativity, and community. From hands-on STEM projects and arts enrichment to weekly field trips and ice cream socials, students experienced a summer filled with connection, learning, and fun.
A particularly proud moment came when a Brilla alum, now a high school student, returned as a Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) intern, stepping into a mentorship role for younger scholars. It was a beautiful illustration of our mission in motion: Brilla students growing into leaders who give back and uplift those who follow.
The spirit of community and continuity did not end there. On July 30, we welcomed back our Brilla Class of 2021, our founding cohort, for a heartfelt “College and Beyond” send-off celebration. These remarkable young adults, who began their journey at Brilla as first graders in 2013, are now stepping confidently into college and the workforce. Many are the first in their families to attend college. Others are entering the workforce ready to support their loved ones and shape their futures.
I’m proud of each of them—not because of where they’re going, but because of who they’ve become. The character they’ve built. The effort they’ve given. The setbacks they’ve overcome. And the powerful example they’ve set for every student walking the Brilla hallways today.
We reminded them and ourselves that hard doesn’t mean impossible, that they belong in every room they walk into, and that Brilla will always be their home.
This summer was also a season of growth in our physical footprint. We were thrilled to officially open Brilla Pax Elementary, Brilla Pax Middle, and Brilla Veritas Middle, three new campuses in two new locations in the Bronx that allow us to serve more scholars and families with our unique blend of rigorous academics, deep character formation, and joyful school culture.
As we settle into the new school year, we are energized by all that took place over the summer and inspired by the journey ahead. Thank you to every staff member, family, donor, and community partner who made this summer so impactful and who continue to make Brilla a place where children are known, loved, and challenged to grow.
With care,
Yeime Valle
Executive Director, Brilla Public Charter Schools
Brilla Public Charter Schools 