Vision & Mission
Executive Superintendent Tim Lisante, Ph.D.

Vision : All ACCESS School students will be empowered through the acquisition of skills aligned to their individual aspirations and goals as to college, career and community.

Mission: By provisioning our leaders and staff with targeted strategies and goal-oriented purpose, the ACCESS team supports all schools and programs to: enroll students on a continuous basis with a welcoming and inclusive spirit; provide excellent pedagogy that support educational stability while accelerating academic and social-emotional progress; organize course content to be relevant and multi-disciplinary, using technology platforms as accelerators; ensure that educational opportunities are enhanced and expanded within collaborative, traditional and nontraditional, supportive environments

A Brief History

Founded by Executive Superintendent Dr. Tim Lisante in the spring of 2019 , ACCESS sets forth to meet Chancellor Carranza's challenge support transfer and alternative schools and programs, led by Superintendents Bob Zweig and Paul Rotondo. Executive Director Yuet Chu joined the team to build out the support team. In the summer of 2020, we welcomed Superintendent Alan Cheng's team and portfolio of schools partnered with the NYC Performance Standards Consortium, Internationals Network, and NYC Outward Bound.

ACCESS schools and programs serve students from 6 weeks old to 92 years old, across almost 500+ locations in all five boroughs. We pride ourselves on serving families across generations - i.e., a student parent attends one of our schools or programs. while their child benefits from LYFE, and their own parent works on obtaining a computer tech certification in adult education.

In 2022, we are expanding CTE and paid work-based learning for ACCESS students. With a historic investment from the new administration, we will offer 2500 students a chance to work as Coop Student Aides or intern with a partner organization. In collaboration with The BEAM Center, paid internships are available to 25 Pathways to Graduations students who would otherwise be ineligible for SYEP.

As the NYCDOE borough/citywide office construct sunsets on 6/30/2022, we are proud of how we expanded the legacy of District 79 and the alternative schools to provide limitless opportunity to all students who deserve endless chances. In the words of our fearless leader, Dr. Tim Lisante, "What can be better than this?" Team A.C.C.E.S.S.