We are a team of special education and art teachers at City As School in NYC, a Title 1 alternative transfer high school working with students who are overage and under credited. Together, we are coordinating a student exchange program in Puerto Rico with Nuestra Escuela, an alternative school that serves a similar population and shares our vision and mission. Many of our students are part of the Caribbean diaspora and we are thrilled to offer them the opportunity to connect with other young people from a similar cultural and educational background in Puerto Rico. Nuestra Escuela is the only accredited alternative school on the island and we believe this will be a chance for our community to learn invaluable lessons about how to create nurturing environments that truly support young people.

We are working hard to make this experience a reality for April 2026! We will bring 15 students and 3 chaperones to Puerto Rico to build meaningful connections with Nuestra Escuela’s community, exchange lessons and resources, and develop a cross cultural partnership. Our long-term goal is to make this exchange an annual tradition that fosters lasting relationships between young people and educators across both communities.

By collaborating with Nuestra Escuela, students will engage in hands-on learning, community projects, and cultural immersion, all leading to building bridges across the Caribbean diaspora while exploring themes of education, resilience, and social and environmental justice. This experience will deepen their understanding of themselves and their communities, inspiring them to think globally and act locally.

Learn more about how we Experience the Experience everyday HERE!