Dear SI RISE Academy Families,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year!

It is with great excitement and gratitude that I welcome you to another incredible year at SI RISE Academy. Whether you are returning to our school community or joining us for the first time, I am honored to partner with you as we embark on a year filled with learning, growth, and opportunity.

As we begin our second full year as Staten Island's newest District 75 school, I am incredibly proud of the strong foundation we have built together. This year marks another exciting milestone in our journey as we expand to a third instructional site, P089R@R018. This growth reflects the confidence families and the Department of Education have placed in our school and allows us to serve even more students while maintaining our unwavering commitment to providing individualized, high-quality educational experiences in supportive learning environments.

At SI RISE Academy, we believe that every student has limitless potential. Our mission is to empower each learner through personalized instruction, meaningful relationships, and a nurturing environment where every child feels valued, respected, and capable of success. Our core values—Resilience, Independence, Self-Advocacy, and Empowerment (RISE)—are more than words; they are the foundation of our school culture and guide every decision we make.

Throughout the year, our dedicated team will continue to provide engaging instruction, therapeutic supports, and authentic learning experiences that help students build academic, social, communication, and life skills. We celebrate every achievement—big and small—and recognize that progress looks different for every learner. Every milestone is meaningful, and every success deserves to be celebrated.

A strong partnership between school and home is one of the greatest factors in student success. Your trust, collaboration, and involvement make an immeasurable difference, and I encourage you to stay connected with us throughout the year. We are committed to maintaining open communication, providing regular updates, and creating meaningful opportunities for families to be engaged in their child's educational journey.

This year, we will continue to foster a school community where kindness, respect, and belonging are at the heart of everything we do. Together, we will encourage our students to take risks, persevere through challenges, advocate for themselves, and discover the confidence to achieve goals they never thought possible.

Thank you for entrusting us with the privilege of educating your child. It is truly an honor to serve the students and families of SI RISE Academy. I look forward to working alongside you as we make the 2026–2027 school year one

of growth, achievement, and unforgettable memories.

On behalf of our entire faculty and staff, welcome back! We cannot wait to see our students' smiling faces and begin another amazing year together.

With gratitude and enthusiasm,

Dr. Denise D' Anna
Founding Principal
SI RISE Academy