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Renaissance Academy Charter School of the Arts
Rochester, NY  ·  Free & Public  ·  Est. 2014

Breaking Cycles.
Building Futures.

A tuition-free, arts-integrated public school built for the children of Rochester.

Students holding hands in the RA dance studio Students walking to school together Renaissance Academy students in the hallway
500+
Students Enrolled
$0
Tuition
<50%
Funding vs. District Peers
Trusted and

Supported by Rochester's Community

See RA in Action

What a day at Renaissance Academy looks like

Who We Are

Arts Integration Removes Barriers and Drives Learning

Founded in 2014, we empower children to excel academically, embrace creativity, and thrive — because what's best for our kids drives every decision we make.

Student Centered Culturally Relevant Collaborative Creative Inclusive
Download 2025 Impact Report →
92%
Daily student attendance rate
Higher ELA & Math proficiency than district peers
87%
Teacher retention rate
Sierra Holmes

"As a parent it's really helpful to know that your kid is safe. When she comes to RA I know that she will be safe and she will learn."

Sierra Holmes, RA Parent
Our Students

Our Students are Brilliant, Creative, Hardworking.

Our students come from underserved communities across Rochester — and with the right support, they thrive.

92%
live below the poverty line
1 in 14
experience homelessness
100+
receive in-school therapy
30%
have special needs or are ELL
Rochester skyline
Inequitable New York State Funding

We do more, with less.

$14,370

per student in New York State funding — less than half what New York State provides Rochester City School District, and our students still outperform their peers.

Read the full story →
$14,370
40% of district
Renaissance Academy, NY State funding per student
$36,086
Rochester City School District, NY State funding per student
Help Close the Funding Gap
Efficiency should not be mistaken for sufficiency.

Valuable programs and resources have to be excluded or privately funded in order to best serve our students. With equitable state funding, charter schools like Renaissance Academy can better support students with quality education, wrap-around support systems, and pathways to greater opportunities.

Student-painted mural: Go Above Your Limits, Big Dreams Big Future
Get Involved

See exactly what your gift does.

A specific gift is an easier yes than an open-ended one. Here's where the dollars go.

A Renaissance Academy dancer on stage
$20
1 pair of ballet slippers
A student in an RA uniform shirt
$50
3 uniform shirts
Therapy dog Artie with students
$75
Grooming for therapy dogs Remy & Artie
A student reading in class
$100
New bedding for a student experiencing homelessness
A student working on a Chromebook
$300
1 student Chromebook
Students sharing a snack
$500
A full on-site food pantry re-stock
Students on a class field trip
$750
A field trip for one class
Students at Renaissance Academy
$1,000
Summer school cost for one student
Make a Gift
See It For Yourself

Schedule a tour today

Get in Touch
Board of Trustees

Guided by community leaders.

Ann Marie Collazo
Ann Marie Collazo
Board Chair
Melanie Ward
Melanie Ward
Vice Chair
Andy Kelly
Andy Kelly
Treasurer
Nan Westervelt
Nan Westervelt
Secretary
Bill Blackmon
Bill Blackmon
Member at Large
Bill Ferguson
Bill Ferguson
Member at Large
Charlton Harley
Charlton Harley
Member at Large
Mike Leone
Mike Leone
Member at Large
Fabricio Morales
Fabricio Morales
Member at Large
Mike Osborn
Mike Osborn
Member at Large
W. Jack Plants II
W. Jack Plants II
Member at Large
Kristen Rogers
Kristen Rogers
Member at Large