Great Oaks Legacy Charter School (GOLCS), a high performing Newark-based public charter school system, is continuing a long-standing partnership with Arman Roy Foundation that focuses on providing STEM enrichment programs and resources for students.  Currently, Arman Roy Foundation is sponsoring a coding curriculum through Brainybots at the GOLCS Legacy Campus in Newark’s South Ward that has greatly benefited students. 

“Ensuring that our students can access programs and opportunities like this is wonderful for our school community,” said Crystal Johnson, Legacy Middle School Campus Director.  “Our partnership aligns with the school’s commitment to fostering innovation and technological literacy.”

The partnership between GOLCS and Arman Roy Foundation first began in 2020 amidst the onset of the pandemic.  At the time, GOLCS was keeping access to schools safely open, so that families without internet access could ensure that their children were able to participate in class and complete assignments.  Arman Roy Foundation helped to support the GOLCS Downtown Elementary School with the technology needed for this level of access.

Since then, the partnership has continued to evolve, with Arman Roy Foundation also providing resources for afterschool STEM programming at Heights Middle School campus in the West Ward.  Since 2020, Arman Roy Foundation has supported nearly half of all GOLCS campuses, providing more than forty thousand dollars in funding towards GOLCS educational needs as well as $4,300 in scholarships for GOLCS students who completed a 2-year STEAM and entrepreneurship career program through Rocket Club.  The GOLCS after school class met weekly and covered topics for students including Artificial Intelligence, business entrepreneurship, Robotics & STEAM. 

“To bridge the divide and ensure all students can thrive in this digital economy, it will take a collective effort from all of us. Over the past five years, we have proudly served the greater Newark community through partnerships with organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, United Way, Per Scholas, Great Oaks Charter Legacy School, and many others to provide young adults with 21st-century STEM resources and educational programming. Our partnership with GOLCS is particularly meaningful because of their focus on innovation and collaboration, which ensures students have access to the best resources and opportunities.” said Manisha Roy, Chairperson of the Arman Roy Foundation.

As GOLCS looks ahead to the 2024-25 school year, the support from Arman Roy Foundation has helped to create innovative avenues to provide STEM enrichment to students.  Now that GOLCS has established a Computer Science CTE program at its high school campus, such enrichment opportunities for middle school students will help prepare them for STEM success in high school and beyond.

“We’re thrilled with the impact of this partnership,” said Jared Taillefer, Great Oaks Legacy Charter School Executive Director.  “As we prepare our students for the jobs of tomorrow, we are excited to continue offering these innovative learning opportunities as building blocks for future success.”

Photo courtesy of Great Oaks Legacy Charter School.