Democracy Prep Public Schools

Today we paused to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a time to reflect on the full history of this nation and the communities whose stories have too often been untold. At Democracy Prep Public Schools , we recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day as an opportunity to honor the first peoples of this land and to reaffirm our commitment to teaching history with honesty, clarity, and care. We believe every scholar deserves to see their story reflected in what they learn. By creating spaces of belonging and academic rigor, we aim to ensure that all young people, including Indigenous students, can see themselves as leaders and changemakers.

Impact happens on the ground 😎 Last week our Interim CEO Steve Popper took a stroll through DPHMS to check on our scholars during their first week school. #DemocracyPrep #WeAreHarlem

We’re proud to announce John S. as Democracy Prep’s new Chief Academic Officer. John brings over 15 years of academic leadership, most recently serving as Chief Academic Officer at Achievement First, where he led the largest K–12 curricular shift in the network’s history. His leadership helped drive the highest reading proficiency rates ever recorded for the network on STAR and mClass, secured multi-year grants for high-quality instructional materials, and guided schools and regions to significant growth. At Democracy Prep, John will serve as a critical executive partner to the Chief Schools Officer, leading curriculum, assessment, and instructional strategy while ensuring equity and rigor for all scholars. A champion for literacy, John believes access to reading is a cornerstone of educational equity and is completing his doctorate at Johns Hopkins on improving adolescent reading proficiency. Please join us in welcoming John Sharkey to the Democracy Prep team! #DemocracyPrep #WelcomeJohn #DPPS

We’re proud to announce Ian Smith (they/them) as Democracy Prep’s new Vice President of Strategy, Marketing & Communications. Ian brings more than 16 years of nonprofit leadership experience across education and youth mental health, most recently serving as Interim Co-Executive Director at Hopebound Mental Health, where they expanded access for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth. Their career also includes leadership roles at Teach For America Memphis and extensive consulting with youth-centered nonprofits nationwide. In this new role, Ian will steward Democracy Prep’s brand and storytelling while collaborating with senior leadership on organizational strategy. Their work will help ensure every family, scholar, and staff member experiences clarity, connection, and trust in our mission as we continue to grow toward our 2030 Strategic Plan goals. Please join us in welcoming Ian to the Democracy Prep team!

IF NOT US, WHO? IF NOT NOW, WHEN ⏰ Shoutout to our Chief Schools Officer Tameka Royal & Interim CEO Steve Popper for leading our NY team through some amazing seminars to get ready for the 2025-2026 school year.

🎉Summer Boost Success: Bloomberg Philanthropies' #SummerBoost continues to show what's possible when students get access to strong academic support during the summer. Across cities and student groups, the program is helping close learning gaps and build stronger educational foundations. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eRN58xsh

We’re hiring STEM teachers in NYC! Meet Robert Casilli, math teacher at Harlem High School, who’s been building futures and relationships at Democracy Prep for nearly a decade. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see the work you did 2, 3 years ago pay off 4, 5, 6 years down the line.” – Mr. Casilli At DP, we believe teaching isn’t just about lessons—it’s about long-term impact. If you're passionate about STEM, love working with students, and want to truly make a difference, join our team. Open roles: STEM Teachers (Math, Science) Locations: Harlem & the Bronx Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eXES5yzD #DemocracyPrep #WeAreHiring #STEMTeachers #HarlemHigh #MathTeachers #TeacherLife #NYCJobs 

In the spirit of leadership and impact, we're excited to share something that speaks directly to our mission and values: The Hechinger Report published an op-ed co-authored by Rashid Duroseau and Generation Citizenship on the importance of civic education for Black youth. It’s a compelling, thoughtful piece that uplifts our mission and the voices of our students. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eSBCKCFC

Congratulations to Steve Popper, our Interim CEO, on completing the Fellowship for Public Education Leadership at The Broad Center at the Yale School of Management! This 10-month executive leadership program is designed for senior public education leaders who are deeply committed to advancing equity, excellence, and innovation in urban school systems. Steve’s completion of this highly selective fellowship is a testament to his unwavering dedication to strengthening public education and expanding opportunity for all students. Your leadership and commitment to the future of public education continue to inspire. We’re excited to see what’s next! #EducationLeadership #BroadFellowship #YaleSOM #PublicEducation #DemocracyPrep #EquityInEducation #Congratulations

We’re thrilled to share that Ralph Johnson will serve as our new Chief Program Officer! For the past 12 years, Ralph has been a transformative force in our community—from building a college access strategy that’s helped scholars earn admission to every Ivy League, top HBCUs, and premier state universities, to launching programs that support alumni success, financial literacy, and real-world readiness. As Chief Program Officer, Ralph will lead one of our strategic plan’s most exciting priorities: Expanding Transformational Student Experiences, including our signature Civics, Global Citizens, and DP Empowered programs. Ivy Allotey, a DP alum and current intern, put it best: “Three words: Affable. Humble. Purposeful… Ralph has never strayed in his mission to uplift those who come after him; his concern and energy is contagious.” We’re grateful for Ralph’s leadership, and proud to see him step into this new role as we continue to help scholars discover what is possible. Please join us in congratulating Ralph! #Leadership #CollegeAccess #DemocracyPrep #K12Education #EquityInEducation #AlumniSuccess #GlobalCitizenship