Original Research by School Decision on Academy Charter School
Academy Charter School is a charter district serving kindergarten through grade 12 across two campuses in Nassau County—one in Hempstead and one in Uniondale. The Uniondale location, publicly reported as a newer full-spectrum campus, brought a high school program to what had been an elementary and middle school network, offering families a second tuition-free Academy option with grades through 12.
The overall enrollment is around mid-size for the county, with a student body that is predominantly Hispanic and Black. The racial composition reflects the neighborhoods these schools serve: the vast majority of students identify as Hispanic or Black, with very small numbers across other groups. Income and English learner data were not available in the enrollment records, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the share of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch and about language support services.
Academically, the school publicly reports math and reading proficiency rates above New York State averages, which is a strength in a charter context. The curriculum centers on college preparation, with AP courses available and a Project Lead The Way STEM program woven through the grades. These program offerings align the school toward four-year college pathways. State assessment proficiency data and a four-year graduation rate were not reported in the available datasets, so those are questions to pose to the school itself or to look for on its website.
Chronic absenteeism stands at a rate that places the Academy in the bottom quartile among Nassau County's districts. This is a real soft spot. A parent should ask what attendance support the school offers and what the school sees as the drivers—whether external factors, in-school engagement, or both play a role. Per-pupil spending is in the lower range for the county, which is typical for charter schools that operate on leaner budgets than traditional districts.
The broader context matters here. Academy Charter School operates in a landscape where charters, including this one and Evergreen Charter, have drawn a substantial share of enrollment away from the Hempstead public school district. This shifts funding out of the traditional district and into the charter sector. A third charter, Diamond, is publicly reported as approved to open in 2026, intensifying that dynamic. For families weighing charter versus traditional public school, this enrollment shift is part of the consideration—not a judgment about quality, but a reality about how money and student population move through the regional system.
The school's open enrollment across both Hempstead and Uniondale campuses means families are not limited by geography within the charter network itself. If you are considering Academy, the high school program at Uniondale is now in place and available as a full K-12 pathway rather than requiring a transition to another school after eighth grade.
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