About Us
Future Leaders Institute (FLI) is a 100% FREE Kindergarten to 8th grade, progressive family-centered charter school in Harlem.
Our Mission
Our mission is to deliver a rich and rigorous educational experience in order to develop academically high-performing students with the leadership, character, and knowledge to achieve success in high school and beyond by focusing on a culture of academic achievement, respect, self-discovery, and community.
We are fueled by strong academics supported by individualized instruction. As our students form excellent intellectual habits, FLI also focuses on core values that guide our students to lead socially responsible and productive lives at FLI and beyond.
The basics
Tuition
FLI is a 100% FREE Kindergarten to 8th grade, progressive family-centered charter school in Harlem.
Classrooms
FLI provides general education, ICT and SETSS classroom models.
School hours
School hours 8:10AM - 2:30PM (Optional Free Extended Day Program: 2:30PM - 4:45PM).
Uniforms
Student uniforms are required to be worn daily (FLI supports families in need with uniforms).
Meals
Free breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack available daily.
Transportation
Yellow bus service or metro cards available to eligible families.
Student supports
Our culture
FLI was founded on the basis of 6 core values; Leadership, compassion, respect, responsibility, effort and Truth. We believe that transferring the knowledge of these six core values are just as important as mastering the curriculum.
Each month FLI celebrates one of these core values by putting them at the heart of all our lessons. This is done through student projects, group assignments and staff/guest presentations.
While teaching into these core values is a daily task, each month is dedicated to a specific value. By the end of the month, teachers and classmates nominate students within each grade and class as an exemplar of that value. These students are then celebrated in front of their monthly community circles.
Monthly Core Value Recipients (starts end of November) · Monthly Perfect Attendance Recipients
Leadership
Our leaders know this school from the inside. Our principal began her teaching career at FLI in 2006, and our assistant principal of operations joined as a middle school math teacher in 2011.
Principal
Ms. Flowers began teaching at FLI in 2006 and never left — moving from reading teacher to Lower School math specialist to Assistant Principal before leading the school. She holds a master's in Educational Leadership from City College.
Assistant Principal, Operations
A former Teach for America corps member, Mr. Slovenec joined FLI as a Middle School math teacher in 2011 and has since led data, curriculum, and operations. He holds master's degrees in Education and Education Leadership from Fordham.
Assistant Principal, Curriculum & Instruction
A former NYC Teaching Fellow with fifteen years across general, bilingual, and special education, Ms. Gonzalez oversees teaching practice, the K–8 curriculum, and professional development. She holds a dual master's from CUNY Brooklyn College.
Meet the full team on the staff directory.
Governance
As a charter school, FLI is governed by a Board of Trustees. The Board hosts public meetings monthly. The FLI website will maintain the most up-to-date information on the dates and locations of Board meetings.
Admissions
