Original Research by School Decision on Brick Buffalo Academy Charter School
Brick Buffalo Academy is a young public charter school that opened in fall 2023 on Buffalo's East Side, near Martin Luther King Jr. Park on Rich Street. It is the Buffalo Education Network's first school in the city and operates as a tuition-free elementary option for families in Erie County.
The school serves kindergarten and first grade currently, with a plan to add one grade each year until it reaches a full K-5 configuration. This phased growth means that families enrolling a young child can expect their student to remain on site through elementary completion as the school builds out. The enrollment is small, with a little over fifty students across the two grades. The student body is predominantly Black, with smaller shares of Hispanic, Asian, and white students; the data does not include free-or-reduced-price lunch eligibility or rates for students with disabilities or English learners.
The school's curriculum centers what it calls Ubuntu principles of collective care, paired with social-emotional learning and a foundation in literacy and mathematics. The stated approach is culturally responsive and celebrates the history and achievements of Black and Brown leaders. This identity-affirming pedagogical model is a central draw for families considering enrollment.
Beyond academics, the school wraps supports around both students and families. The school day is extended, transportation is free, and after-school programs are included at no cost. A partnership with Jericho Road Community Health Center expands healthcare access for families. The school also provides a deposit into a wealth-building account for families who enroll. These wraparound services are designed to lower practical barriers and add financial incentive, addressing needs that go beyond the classroom.
State assessment results are not available, which is expected: the school serves only kindergarten and first grade, and New York does not assess students in those grades on state exams. No comparison data is therefore possible among Erie County's districts. The school is so new that there is no graduation rate, attendance data, or spending information to report.
A parent considering this school should view it as a brand-new option still establishing itself. Early enrollment fell well below the school's original chartered targets, meaning the cohort is very small and the school is still filling seats. For families drawn to a culturally affirming curriculum, wraparound supports, and the possibility of staying in a single elementary home through grade five, the school represents a different entry point than Buffalo's traditional public schools. Prospective families may want to speak directly with the school about its teaching team, the exact scope of the extended day and after-school programming, how the grade-level transitions will work as the school expands, and what early literacy and math instruction looks like in practice.
See more original research from School Decision →