Community Corner
Cortelyou Celebrates its 40th Year Milestone
NYC Minority and Women Owned (MWBE) Private School Celebrates 40 Years of Service to the Brooklyn Community
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On April 23rd, 2023 Cortelyou Early Childhood Center will be happily celebrating 40 years of being in the education business with its 40th Anniversary Gala. During this once in a lifetime celebration, they will be celebrating Cortelyou’s legacy, honoring their alumni and community leaders, and present their future endeavors for the next 40 years. On this night with the assistance of sponsors and donors, Cortelyou aims to fundraise $150,000 in an effort to achieve its goals for increased teacher salaries, school building renovations, and to introduce new after-school programs.
Cortelyou’s Legacy
Cortelyou Early Childhood Center and Cortelyou Academy have been a staple in the Brooklyn community for 40 years. In that time they have left impressions on each and every student and parent that comes in contact with their educational facility. However, impressions could not have been made without the ambitions of its founder, Mrs. Leonie Francis-Bryan.
In April of 1983, Cortelyou opened its doors thanks to the work and passion Mrs. Bryan. Being a full-time working nurse, mother of three children, and a wife, she had a lot on her plate, but that did not stop her from achieving her goals. Mrs. Bryan created Cortelyou to prioritize the need for a safe place for children to have a high-quality academic foundation while hard working parents could focus on their occupations.
"Cortelyou is committed to honoring Mrs. Bryan’s legacy by providing an excellent education that meets each student’s interests, abilities, and needs.”
Cortelyou Empowerment
Cortelyou has a record of success for its students. Their education program is designed to foster growth and development. They believe in a strong teacher-parent relationship and maintain strong bonds with all their students. Cortelyou leaves such a huge impact on its students that many of its alumni return to impart their wisdom to current and future generations.
In March of 2020, Cortelyou hit an obstacle. With the sudden COVID-19 pandemic, Mrs. Bryan alongside her successors, Sophia Francis and Garneth Francis, had to discuss what their next move would be. Shuttering the family business was not an option. With the support of their staff and the Cortelyou Family, remote learning was quickly implemented for their K-5 students. Despite the pandemic and all its challenges, Cortelyou remained resilient and committed to providing the outstanding education they promise from day one.
Cortelyou continues to thrive and spread their philosophy throughout the Brooklyn community to this day. Anyone within the Brooklyn community looking for a diverse, intimate, and high-quality education can complete Cortelyou’s Information Request Form or their Open House RSVP Form to become a part of the extended Cortelyou Family.
For more information about Cortelyou, please visit their website at mycecc.com or call their main office at 718-282-6077.
“Cortelyou was and continues to be a staple in Flatbush/Ditmas Park.”
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