CECC | Cortelyou Educational Foundation Inc

On April 23, 2023, Cortelyou Early Childhood Center (CECC) will host its 40th Anniversary Benefit Gala to celebrate Cortelyou’s legacy, honor their alumni and community leaders, and cast vision for the next 40 years. This special night, with the help of sponsors and donors, aims to fundraise amounts up to $250,000 in an effort to achieve its goals for increased teacher salaries, school building renovations, and to introduce new after-school programs.

Four decades ago, Leonie Francis-Bryan built Cortelyou with the same values that still sustain it: growth, development, leadership, achievement, community, education, connection, and—most importantly—children. Cortelyou has survived many other crises that came its way throughout its tenure, and it would have to take more than a government shutdown to close this school down. In the midst of a global pandemic, Mrs. Francis-Bryan and her board’s leadership kept Cortelyou’s three educational facilities alive, running, and thriving.

With the support of their staff and the Cortelyou Family, they chose to press on. They rapidly shifted to remote learning for PreK to 5th grade students and offered naptime stories for our youngest learners. Cortelyou was resilient, dedicated and committed to help meet their student’s educational needs during challenging times, whilst attempting to flatten the COVID-19 curve in the same breath.

Cortelyou students are challenged to develop intellectual independence, creativity, and responsibility as they grow to become outstanding citizens. An appreciation for racial, religious, and cultural diversity is an integral part of Cortelyou school life. Cortelyou’s three educational facilities expose their young scholars to a range of academic subjects and extracurricular opportunities—from advanced mathematics and science experiments to spelling bees and classroom debates to mind-expanding international trips.