When Nanakofi won Brilla Public Charter Schools’ SHINE Award for Mathematics in second grade, he had no idea he was starting a journey that would one day lead him to apply to—and be accepted by—every single college on his list, including NYU, Vassar, Fordham, and Wesleyan.
This fall, Nanakofi will attend CUNY Lehman College as a Macaulay Honors College Scholar, one of the most prestigious merit-based programs in the city. The program covers full tuition and provides significant academic and career support.
Nanakofi credits his early years at Brilla for directing him onto this path.
“Brilla means everything to me,” he says. “It’s where I started and where I grew up—from a five-year-old to a middle school graduate. Brilla shaped who I am.”
That shaping went far beyond academics. Brilla nurtured Nanakofi’s love of math and deep desire to help others. In high school, he served as a teacher’s assistant for algebra, tutored younger students, and was a consistent honor roll student at Bronx Center for Science and Mathematics. He also regularly returned to Brilla to support middle schoolers, including his two younger siblings.
He’s not alone. A motto often heard on the Brilla campus—“Cardinals for life”—rings true as many alumni stay closely connected long after graduation. It’s a rare and powerful testament to Brilla’s commitment to whole-child formation and enduring relationships.
Brilla as Family—and Lifeline
“It’s more than school—it’s family,” says Reyes Claudio, chief operations and community relations officer. “From day one, we supported the whole family. Whether someone needed legal advice, housing support, or simply someone to listen, Brilla was there.”
That deep care continues through scholarships and initiatives like BASE (Brilla Alumni Support of Excellence), which keeps alumni engaged through updates, events, and access to resources, plus an open-door policy for anything students or families may need.
It’s this spirit of community that Brilla alum Parker remembers well.
A graduating senior at Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics, Parker developed a deep sense of responsibility during his time at Brilla—especially through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many families faced new hardships. Brilla and Seton raised over half a million dollars to support them.
Still, some of Parker’s best memories are joyful and full of connection. On a field trip to the Transit Museum, when the driver got lost, Parker gave directions from memory.
“Parker’s always had a passion for trains and cities,” recalls his former teacher, Mr. Javin Meade. “He knew exactly where to go. It was amazing.”
Parker will study civil engineering and urban planning at the University of Buffalo to help bring more green spaces to his neighborhood. He will attend on the Excelsior Scholarship, making his education tuition-free.
His mother, Stephanie, says. “We couldn’t have done it without Brilla, Brilla’s guidance. We had a hiccup with COVID, but when Parker got to high school, he was more than prepared for the curriculum. When he was taking English Literature, he told me, ‘We already did this in 8th grade.’ Brilla gave him confidence and purpose. He’s constantly asking himself what he can do better, and how he can move forward.”
Helping Students Bridge What’s Next
Brilla’s support doesn’t stop at graduation. Staff walk alongside students through high school placement—an intense and often overwhelming process in New York City.
Brilla hires dedicated counselors, helps families apply for scholarships, supports with test prep, and even fills tuition gaps through “Cardinal Scholarships,” raised mostly through word-of-mouth.
“We realized we couldn’t just get students accepted—we had to make those schools accessible,” says Claudio. “So we found ways to close the gap.”
That support makes a difference. Nanakofi, who benefitted from these efforts, has returned to speak with middle schoolers about navigating high school admissions and the habits that helped him succeed—like punctuality, diligence, and Brilla’s Core Virtues: Courage, Justice, Wisdom, and Self-Control.
“These virtues may not be named at my current school,” he says, “but I carry them with me.”
Parker still remembers those virtues, too—especially Justice. “I was a student with accommodations,” he says. “When I see other students like me being treated unfairly, I speak up. I know what that feels like.”
A Home You Return To
Brilla alumni often credit individual teachers for making a lasting impact. For both Parker and Nanakofi, that teacher was Mr. Meade.
“In seventh grade, Nanakofi was brilliant—but still figuring out whether he wanted to be the class clown,” Meade laughs. “Now I see him at Parent Nights with his siblings, and he’s grown into a thoughtful young man. But I still catch glimpses of that mischievous spark.”
The bond is mutual. “These boys have a special place in my heart,” Meade says. “They’re resilient, driven, and they care deeply.”
Many families feel the same way. They return for holiday toy drives, school events, or just to visit—even after their children have moved on.
“We recently hosted our first Gratitude Day,” says high school placement counselor Carmen Santos, “and alumni families showed up just by word of mouth. That’s what Brilla is—it’s home.”
And in any strong home, the giving goes both ways. Alumni and families don’t just look forward—they look back and ask how they can lift up the next generation.
As Nanakofi puts it, “I want my siblings to be the best people they can be, at the highest level they can grow to.”
Brilla as Bridge
Thanks to a deep-rooted commitment to academic excellence, character formation, and family support, Brilla doesn’t just prepare students for success—it stays with them long after they leave.
“Our families trust us to walk with them,” says Santos. “And because of that trust, we can bridge real opportunity gaps.”
In the end, Brilla becomes more than a school. It becomes a bridge—between neighborhoods and opportunity, between past and future, between a student’s community roots and their biggest dreams.
