Empower Youth Success 2026

Delaware Community School (DCS)
Our neighborhood:  Delaware Community School (DCS) is nestled neatly in a family-friendly residential neighborhood located just off Delaware Avenue in Albany, NY. Our community is diverse, and the locally owned businesses reflect the vibrant culture of the people we serve. The neighborhood is in close proximity to a variety of local businesses, a public library, entertainment, and restaurants, and has several public parks nearby. 

Who we serve: Delaware Community School serves students in prekindergarten-grade 5. DCS also includes five SHINE classrooms made up of autistic support students. Most of our students live locally, but we do also have students who come from neighborhoods throughout the city of Albany, and occasionally some students outside of the Albany borders.

Our mission and goals: 
Delaware Community school will be a school of excellence with caring relationships and engaging learning experiences that provide equitable opportunities for all students to reach their potential. We will work in partnership with our diverse community to engage every learner in a robust educational program designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for success. 

Delaware Community School takes pride in the community work that we bring to our students and families. Our educators build programs where our students and their families feel included in the work we do. 

As a community hub, we offer programs that enrich our students’ love for learning, and provide services that bridge gaps and alleviate barriers in an effort to help our students reach their highest potential. Our services offer equitable access to basic needs, and the impact of these programs can be seen in the everyday motivation and engagement of our students.

Delaware Community School prioritizes the development of skill, and encourages self-motivated efforts within our community. Data collection and analysis is a pillar of these efforts, both within the school leadership team and within the embedded values of our students. If you walk into DCS and ask a student about their data in any of their core subject areas, they can tell you! Our students and families are offered an opportunity to be a part of the collaboration and to set goals for their next success. The impact of this approach allows us to develop our students to be lifelong learners, and independent thinkers. 

Our leadership team: DCS is led by

•  Principal Dr. Stacy Dobbs
• Assistant Principal, Dr. Marilyn Jones-Oliver
• Community Site Coordinator Jada Schmidt
• Cheetah Coalition (Student Leadership Team)
• Building Equity Leadership Team (Staff Leadership Team)

At Delaware Community School, we believe that every staff member is an educator and has the ability to lead our school in a positive direction. 

Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School (Myers)
Our neighborhood:
Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School is located in Albany, New York, in the Delaware Avenue Neighborhood and serves students from across the city through the City School District of Albany. The school reflects the diversity of the Albany community and partners with families, local organizations, and community groups to create a supportive and culturally rich learning environment.

Who we serve:
Myers Middle School serves approximately 6th–8th grade students from throughout Albany. The school enrolls a diverse student population and focuses on providing equitable access to academic opportunities, extracurricular activities, and social-emotional supports to help students succeed during the important middle school years.

Our mission and goals:
The mission of Myers Middle School is to develop and support student academic achievement while fostering respect, responsibility, and self-empowerment. Working with dedicated staff, families, and community partners, the school strives to create a safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive environment where students can reach their full potential.

Our leadership team:
Myers Middle School is led by Principal William Rivers, with support from Assistant Principals Ashley Dillon, Amelia Gallagher, and Migdalia Torres. Joe Burke, Home School Coordinator, and Jenn Seguinot, Community School Site Coordinator are the connection between the school and our parents and the community at large. Together, the leadership team works with teachers, counselors, and staff to support student success and maintain a positive school culture.

Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology
Our neighborhood: Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology (TOAST for short) is located on the outskirts of Lincoln Park in Albany. 

Who we serve: Students in prekindergarten-grade 5 who live in neighborhoods throughout the city of Albany.
Our mission and goals: To prepare students to be college and career ready as well as lifelong learners by providing them with a strong STEAM-based education. As one of four magnet programs in the district, TOAST offers additional science and technology classes and extracurricular programming to all of our students. This includes a different grade level STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) theme and field trip each year, after-school enrichment programming, unique community partnerships, our community garden, geological park, rock climbing wall and so much more! TOAST is the only school in the district that is both a magnet school and a  community school. This allows us to serve as a hub for community events and activities, providing services to students, families and the community during the school day and beyond.

Our leadership team: TOAST is led by Principal Sophia Newell, Assistant Principal Christina Zontini and Community School Site Coordinator James Cobbins. Please join us to learn more about our school!