Here - Charter High School for Law and Social Justice

THE CHARTER HIGH
SCHOOL FOR LAW AND
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Learning through law, striving for justice
Dear Perspective families, staff, faculty, partners, and friends,
Welcome! I am truly honored and humbled to be named Founding Head of School/Principal of The Charter High
School of Law and Social Justice. I am excited to lead the charge of preparing our students to be the next
generation of change agents. Our School, along with our partners, will work to ensure that our students and their
families are provided the best educational experiences and opportunities. My goal is that each one of our students
graduate ready to impact their communities, advocate for change, and join the ranks of the great professionals
and dedicated citizens who have led this nation’s progress towards social justice.
I am excited about the many opportunities our students will receive that will truly prepare them for college and
careers. It has been my experience that many schools say they will provide students with college and career
preparation; however, this usually means that for one term or possibly one year, students take part in a seminar
style class where their teacher talks AT them about the possibility of going to college and obtaining a career. Here
at CHSLSJ, when we say our students will receive college and career readiness preparation we mean much more!
It thrills me to know that our School will provide students with authentic and research-based college readiness
programs. Our students will not only hear about college, they will have the chance to experience the process. In
order to ensure this happens, I am excited to be working with The College of Mount Saint Vincent to develop a
college readiness and access program that will begin on day one of ninth grade. Through the School’s
comprehensive advisory program, our students will engage in approximately eight hours a month discussing,
researching, and writing plans to get them into the top college of their choice. I cannot wait to assist our students
with these plans and help see their dreams become a reality! Even more, I cannot wait to see some of our students
in the upper grades have the ability to obtain college credit by enrolling in courses on Mount Saint Vincent’s
campus!
Additionally, I couldn’t be more delighted that our students will learn firsthand about the field of Law and Social
Justice, its history, and the many careers available to them within the field. Through the School’s partnership with
New York Law School, I will work alongside law professors, attorneys, and law students to provide our students
a rich academic program through the lens of law. It is exciting to know that this partnership will provide our
students with significant opportunities for mentorship and meaningful internships at law firms or social justice
organizations. I cannot wait to see our students grow as leaders as they get firsthand training and knowledge that
reaches far beyond the walls of our School.
I look forward to some of you joining us as we change the world--one student, one dream, and one action at a
time!
In Partnership,
Samantha Pugh
Samantha Pugh, Founding Principal/Head of School