Our Buildings
One of the essential services BCF provides is the design, development, and construction of state of the art facilities for each of the Brighter Choice Foundation-affliated charter schools in Albany, as illustrated below:
Brighter Choice Charter School for Girls
Constructed in 2002, the Brighter Choice Charter School for Girls has been recognized for excellence in historic preservation by the Preservation League of New York as well as the Historic Albany Foundation. Formally Albany Public School 10, the facility at 250 Central Avenue was designed by well known Albany architect Albert Fuller and was originally constructed in 1890. The renovation and addition of the Brighter Choice Charter School for Girls has resulted in a total of 40,000 square feet of state of the art elementary school space on a main commercial thoroughfare in central Albany.
Brighter Choice Charter School for Boys
This former shirt factory, and later warehouse, was renovated and expanded, resulting in the 2007 completion of the new home for the Brighter Choice Charter School for Boys. The brick building was originally constructed in 1901, and when BCF purchased the building in 2005, it was serving as a warehouse and artist's loft space. The new building includes a conference and meeting space as well as regulation-sized elementary school gymnasium, in addition to permanent offices for the Brighter Choice Foundation.
KIPP Tech Valley Charter School
Completed in July 2005, the KIPP Tech Valley Charter School facility is located in Albany's Arbor Hill neighborhood. Brighter Choice Foundation constructed a brick, steel, and masonry building built to KIPP's specifications, which will eventually house approximately 300 students in grades 5-8. KIPP's facility includes a multi-purpose room for athletic contests and school gatherings and use as a school cafeteria. Additionally, on the second floor a KIPP "team and family room" was constructed for daily school meetings. KIPP's efficient facility will easily accommodate the school's growth to full enrollment in the years to come.
Achievement Academy Charter School
The Achievement Academy Charter School was built in Albany's South End with construction wrapping up in the summer of 2006. Built to compliment the character of the surrounding residential neighborhood, Achievement Academy's wood frame construction serves the needs of the school well. The Achievement Academy building consists of approximately 35,000 square feet of program space including a media center, cafeteria, and full-size middle school gymnasium. Built in a only 16 weeks, the Achievement Academy project demonstrated well BCF's ability to deliver projects in rapid fashion when necessary.
Henry Johnson Charter School
Completed in August 2007, the Henry Johnson Charter School occupies the former site of Public School 3 on Watervliet Avenue on Albany's western edge. Henry Johnson Charter School is a renovation and addition project which eventually will house 375 students in grades K-4. BCF preserved as much of the historic character of Public School 3 as possible and included a gymnasium, media center, and cafeteria in the facility.
Green Tech High Charter School
The facility, completed in the summer 2008, is 42,000 square feet and includes a full-sized competition high school gymnasium, cafeteria, science classrooms, and media center. Conveniently located across the street from KIPP Tech Valley Charter School in Albany's North End, Green Tech High Charter School opened with 75 ninth grade students in the fall of 2008. Ultimately, the school will house 300 students in grades nine through twelve.
Albany Community Charter School
Completed in summer of 2008, the Albany Community Charter School building is located adjacent to Krank Park in Albany’s south end. The brand new 36,000 square foot building includes ample academic and administration program space, a full-sized gymnasium, a media center, and a cafeteria. Additionally the facility will be the site, we expect, for many community events to which our neighbors will be invited. The wood-framed building has been designed to complement the topography and architecture of the surrounding neighborhood. The Albany Community Charter School sits on 12 acres of land, which was carefully engineered and redesigned to accommodate the construction of the school.
Albany Leadership Charter High School for Girls
Construction of a customized facility began in September on Hackett Boulevard, near Holland Ave, for the students of Albany Leadership Charter High School for Girls. The ground was cleared of trees and much of the hill was removed. Crews are now working to lay the foundation. Construction will continue throughout the winter months. The building is scheduled to be completed in July and will welcome students in grades 9-10. Upon completion, the facility will boast plenty of program space, a media center, two science labs, a music room, an art room with kiln, and a competition-sized gymnasium. Albany Leadership will grow to serve approximately 300 students in grades 9-12 over the next few years.
Brighter Choice Charter Middle School for Boys & Brighter Choice Charter Middle School for Girls
The Brighter Choice Charter Middle Schools will be housed in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility located near the intersection of North Lake Avenue and Elk Street in Albany that is scheduled for completion in 2011. The 50,000 square foot building will boast many modern amenities such as outdoor learning spaces, instrument practice rooms, audio-visual screening rooms and improved program spaces. The new facility will house both the Girls and Boys middle schools, each in their own separate wing. During the 2010-2011 school year, the Brighter Choice Charter Middle Schools for Boys and for Girls will be located in the Brighter Choice Charter Schools for Boys and for Girls facilities located at 116 North Lake Avenue and 250 Central Avenue respectively.
