“All members of the school community develop the knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm that will continue throughtout their lives, expand their understanding of what is possible for themselves and their world, and lead productive and satisfying lives.” – FLACS Guiding Vision.

FLACS I, the first school, was founded in 2000 by the Latino Pastoral Action Center, under the guiding vision of Reverend Raymond Rivera. Reverend Rivera and founding Board Members developed a vision for a school that would create opportunities for success for all students, no matter their primary language, ethnicity, or socio-economic status. The goal was to ensure that each student achieved academic proficiency in all core content areas. FLACS I opened in fall 2001 with 100 kindergarteners and first graders. Today, this vision has been replicated at two additional schools and we now serve over 900 students from kindergarten through 8th grade.

In Light of this community’s needs, FLACS I’s vision has been to demonstrate that its student population is capable of meeting and exceeding the rigorous New York State Common Core standards. FLACS I has sought to establish an environment and an educational opportunity that allows students to transcend and rise above the historical context of the local schools. Over the last 16 years, the school has demonstrated success in reaching this vision.