THE CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR LAW AND SOCIAL JUSTICE Learning through law, striving for justice Dear Perspective families, staff, faculty, partners, and friends, Welcome! I am truly honored and humbled to be named Founding Head of School/Principal of The Charter High School of Law and Social Justice. I am excited to lead the charge of preparing our students to be the next generation of change agents. Our School, along with our partners, will work to ensure that our students and their families are provided the best educational experiences and opportunities. My goal is that each one of our students graduate ready to impact their communities, advocate for change, and join the ranks of the great professionals and dedicated citizens who have led this nation’s progress towards social justice. I am excited about the many opportunities our students will receive that will truly prepare them for college and careers. It has been my experience that many schools say they will provide students with college and career preparation; however, this usually means that for one term or possibly one year, students take part in a seminar style class where their teacher talks AT them about the possibility of going to college and obtaining a career. Here at CHSLSJ, when we say our students will receive college and career readiness preparation we mean much more! It thrills me to know that our School will provide students with authentic and research-based college readiness programs. Our students will not only hear about college, they will have the chance to experience the process. In order to ensure this happens, I am excited to be working with The College of Mount Saint Vincent to develop a college readiness and access program that will begin on day one of ninth grade. Through the School’s comprehensive advisory program, our students will engage in approximately eight hours a month discussing, researching, and writing plans to get them into the top college of their choice. I cannot wait to assist our students with these plans and help see their dreams become a reality! Even more, I cannot wait to see some of our students in the upper grades have the ability to obtain college credit by enrolling in courses on Mount Saint Vincent’s campus! Additionally, I couldn’t be more delighted that our students will learn firsthand about the field of Law and Social Justice, its history, and the many careers available to them within the field. Through the School’s partnership with New York Law School, I will work alongside law professors, attorneys, and law students to provide our students a rich academic program through the lens of law. It is exciting to know that this partnership will provide our students with significant opportunities for mentorship and meaningful internships at law firms or social justice organizations. I cannot wait to see our students grow as leaders as they get firsthand training and knowledge that reaches far beyond the walls of our School. I look forward to some of you joining us as we change the world--one student, one dream, and one action at a time! In Partnership, Samantha Pugh Samantha Pugh, Founding Principal/Head of School