“My ultimate hope is for students to leave Ascend knowing that they are capable of doing anything. They will face obstacles, but they will also have the resilience to overcome them. I want every scholar to feel loved, cared for, and confident in their intelligence, knowing they have the skills and mindset to do whatever they decide. I never want a scholar to leave thinking they can’t achieve their dreams.

What brings me joy and pride is seeing the progress and development of both teachers and students. Watching them grow socially, emotionally, and academically is incredibly fulfilling. At Bushwick Ascend Lower School, we offer art, music, and dance. We host family events like Literacy Night, where we lead a session about upcoming assessments and share resources with parents. The goal is to empower families by helping them understand what their children are learning, especially when it comes to literacy, math, and science.

We make sure to meet with parents regularly through our Parent Association. This builds a stronger partnership with families and ensures they are actively involved.

One of my guiding philosophies is to engage students through content. Learning should always be fun and engaging. It’s about creating lessons that allow kids to have those ‘aha moments’—when they get excited about new concepts. When we see that light in their eyes and their progress in data, it brings a love of learning to both students and educators. We focus on engagement in our planning meetings to ensure that the content is delivered in a way that sparks excitement for both teachers and students.

We tailor our curriculum to meet the needs of all students. Teachers receive a foundational lesson plan, but we also focus on differentiating instruction based on student data.

Ascend sets itself apart because we prioritize building a welcoming, family-oriented environment. If you're looking for a place where your family’s voice is heard and where both students and parents can feel supported, this is the place for you.”

- Danielle Pena