Every child deserves the opportunity to learn in an environment that recognizes their unique potential, nurtures their curiosity, and prepares them for success in school and in life.
Ten years ago, the Bank Street Education Center launched with a bold mission: to disrupt inequity by reimagining how schools support both student and adult learning. What began as a small team with a big vision has grown into a national leader in educational transformation—partnering with over 130 school systems and organizations across 43 states to help shape stronger, more inclusive learning environments.
“Our ten year anniversary is a moment to celebrate, reflect, and look ahead,” said Tracy Fray-Oliver, Vice President, Bank Street Education Center. “As today’s educators continue to manage increasing demands and schools strive to close widening opportunity gaps, our efforts remain rooted in the principles of strong relationships, rigorous instruction, and equity. We’re proud of what we’ve built and are energized for what’s ahead as we continue to grow our reach, deepen our partnerships, and work alongside educators to create joyful learning for all children.”
Today, the Education Center collaborates with teachers, families, school leaders, and policymakers to co-create tailored programs across four key areas: Culture, Race, and Equity; Early Childhood Education; K–12 Math Education; and Responsive Design. These partnerships support strengths-based, learner-centered practices grounded in a deep understanding of adult learning and child development. At the same time, the Education Center continues to build an evidence base to inform local practice and address some of the nation’s most persistent challenges to effective, equitable instruction.
“Whether working with early childhood caregivers or district leaders, we design our support to meet the unique context and strengths of each community,” Fray-Oliver said. “Through a commitment to embedding observation, reflection, and continuous improvement into our approach to change implementation, we strive to make a meaningful impact in student learning.”
The Education Center’s work is especially deep and sustained in New York City, where it has engaged all 32 school districts and supported 189 individual schools. This long-term presence reflects both the trust the Education Center has cultivated and its commitment to meaningful, system-level change. One notable example is the Education Center’s role in supporting the citywide rollout of Pre-K for All, which expanded access to high-quality early childhood education for thousands of young learners.
The Education Center’s reach extends outside of New York City as well. Since 2015 the Education Center has designed and led a Network for School Improvement program in partnership with Yonkers Public Schools, which focuses on advancing more equitable math outcomes for Black and Latinx middle school students.
“Our work with Bank Street has created the space for teachers to come together and have meaningful, rich conversations about their practice. It has also strengthened the collaboration and communication amongst school teams themselves,” said Michael McDonald, former Executive Director of Mathematics, Yonkers Public Schools.
The Education Center has also played a critical role in leadership development through the Principal Innovation Fellowship, which empowers New York City public high school leaders to redesign their schools to incorporate relevant, purpose-driven career pathways. According to Jade Grieve, former Chief of Student Pathways, New York City Public Schools, the Innovation Fellowship “is an important part of the New York City Public Schools’ efforts to transform our system so that students graduate from high school with skills, strategy, and purpose.”
In addition, the Education Center has supported equitable systems change through the Culture, Race & Equity’s CRE Collective, a national online cohort-based program designed to help education leaders reimagine and redesign inequitable systems within the schools and communities where children and adults live and learn. This work has expanded the Center’s reach and deepened its impact on how equity-focused leadership can drive lasting transformation.
The Education Center’s impact extends beyond any single program. Because sustained change takes time, trust, and shared purpose, more than half of the Education Center’s partnerships have extended across multiple years—a reflection of the strong relationships the team has built and the value partners see in the work. These long-term collaborations have helped systems leaders reimagine what’s possible for professional learning, leadership development, and student outcomes.
Across every initiative—whether focused on expanding access to early childhood education, building capacity for instructional leadership, or creating inclusive learning environments—the Education Center holds fast to a core belief: that meaningful learning starts with strong relationships, that equity must be at the center of every conversation, and that lasting change is most powerful when it is co-designed and co-owned.
“Over the past ten years, we’ve seen that real transformation happens through partnership. As we move forward, we’ll keep listening, learning, and leading—deepening our impact, expanding our reach, and meeting the demands of this moment and the future,” said Fray-Oliver.
To learn more about the Bank Street Education Center and explore partnership opportunities, please visit our website