Legendary Investor Julian Robertson Announces New $20 Million Gift to Accelerate Sharing Out of Success Academy’s Innovations

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, NOVEMBER 15, 2017**

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Nicole Sizemore
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LEGENDARY INVESTOR JULIAN ROBERTSON ANNOUNCES NEW $20 MILLION GIFT TO ACCELERATE SHARING OUT OF SUCCESS ACADEMY’S INNOVATIONS

TOP-PERFORMING CHARTER SCHOOL NETWORK LAUNCHES THE ROBERTSON CENTER WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART TRAINING FACILITIES AND LAB SCHOOL

NEW YORK, NY – In a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Success Academy Founder and CEO Eva Moskowitz and legendary investor and philanthropist Julian Robertson officially opened the doors of the Robertson Center, which brings together state-of-the-art training facilities for educators and Success Academy’s first K-8 lab school. Named for Mr. Robertson, the Center honors his deep commitment to making public education work for all children. Shortly after the ceremony, the Robertson Foundation announced a new gift of $20 million to be awarded over the coming five years to accelerate sharing of the network’s innovations in school design, curriculum, and training.

“The Robertson family is thrilled to be here to celebrate the opening of the Robertson Center. We are already convinced that Success Academy is the finest charter school in the country, and we believe that what this enterprise will achieve over time will be genuinely game-changing,” said Mr. Robertson, who is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tiger Management, L.L.C. Renowned for its philanthropy in the areas of medical research and the environment, the Robertson Foundation is deeply devoted to effecting significant change in the access that Americans have to excellent public education.

Located in Manhattan’s bustling new Hudson Yards neighborhood, the Robertson Center will serve as headquarters for Success Academy Education Institute. The Ed Institute is responsible for equipping educators with the tools and training to execute Success Academy’s proven approach to pre-K-12 education. A robust, digital platform provides free, open access to the network’s curriculum and school design, giving teachers, principals, and superintendents — from both charters and districts — opportunities for deep engagement with the rigorous curriculum, effective training model, and proven management practices that Success Academy has pioneered. Since its launch in June, more than 17,000 visitors from 46 states, 64 countries, and almost 600 organizations have visited the Ed Institute.

The Robertson Center takes these capabilities to a new level, with expansive and sophisticated training facilities in closest proximity to a K-8 lab school (encompassing Success Academy Hudson Yards elementary school and middle school). Cutting-edge technology connects the Center and lab school classrooms, allowing for the effective and seamless integration of adult learning and classroom practice, as well as high-quality distance learning. The Center will also host extensive programming for educators within Success Academy, as well as those from across New York City and beyond, including workshops, interactive webinars, conferences, lecture series, and networking events.

“The launch of this Center speaks to our sky-high hopes for children and educators,” said Moskowitz at the ceremony. “We named it in Julian Robertson’s honor because of all the Robertson name implies: an uplifting belief in human potential, a core commitment to excellence, and a fierce determination to make the world a better place.”

The Robertson Foundation has been among Success Academy’s most generous and impactful supporters. The Foundation provided critical early funding to jump-start development of the Education Institute and enable the network to expand and grow to serve more children and families. “Julian’s support of Success Academy has already directly benefitted thousands of New York City children. His vision for bringing to life the Ed Institute and The Robertson Center will benefit tens of thousands more children across the country,” said Moskowitz at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Success Academy is one of the nation’s fastest-growing, highest-performing charter school networks. The 2017 winner of the prestigious Broad Prize for Public Charter Schools, its 46 elementary, middle, and high schools — which serve a student population that is 74% low-income and 95% black and Hispanic — collectively score in the top .3% in New York State for math, and the top 1.3% for English, significantly outperforming every district in the state. A recent Stanford University study found that each year, Success Academy students receive the equivalent of 239 additional days of learning in math and 137 additional days in reading compared to their peers in district schools.

See photos of the event below:

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ABOUT SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOLS

Founded in 2006, Success Academy Charter Schools are free public K-12 schools open to all children in the state through a random lottery. With 46 schools across Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens, Success Academy enrolls 15,500 students, primarily low-income children of color in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Last year, Success Academy schools received more than 17,000 applications for about 3,000 open seats.

For more information about Success Academy, go to Successacademies.org and virtualtour.successacademies.org.

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