Washington, July 6, 2017 — Capital Preparatory Schools is pleased to announce a combined gift of $1.35 million from the Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation and the Charles Koch Foundation.
Capital Preparatory Schools, a charter management organization (CMO) led by founder and head of schools Dr. Steve Perry, started charter schools in Bridgeport, Connecticut and Harlem, New York after the success of Perry’s renowned first Capital Preparatory School in Hartford, Connecticut. This CMO aspires to provide a rigorous educational experience across seven schools for 10,000 children within the next five years.
Dr. Perry has assembled a skilled and committed team, and with the support of this gift, they will use their talents to develop curricula, equip mentors, and provide an innovative educational experience that leads students to success, in college and beyond.
“We’re thrilled that the Charles Koch Foundation and the Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation have recognized the benefits of our model of education at Capital Prep,” Perry said. “We look forward to the new opportunities we will be able to provide to our students because of their support.”
Capital Preparatory School’s unique curriculum weaves together college preparation with themes of social justice and civic responsibility, as well as social entrepreneurialism, to create a loving culture where students are equipped to find their passion and to pursue it without constraint. Rather than placing value solely on test scores, Capital Preparatory Schools focus on genuinely improving the lives of its students, boasting a 100 percent college acceptance rate for its graduation seniors since its first year of operation in Hartford in 2006. The school also offer opportunities for travel, learning, and personal development throughout the summer as well as the academic year.
“Capital Prep’s dedication to supporting disadvantaged communities sets students up for success throughout their lives,” said “We’re honored to support their commitment to providing a quality education for every student that walks through its doors.”
“We’re inspired by Dr. Perry’s innovative approaches to driving improvement in the classroom and beyond,” said Brian Hooks, president of the Charles Koch Foundation. “We are excited to see how Capital Prep is able to increase access to their unique educational experience in the coming years.”
Capital Preparatory Schools educate students from historically disadvantaged populations to attend four-year colleges and become engaged and active citizens in their communities. Music mogul and entrepreneur Sean “P-Diddy” Combs cofounded the African American-headed charter management organization’s second school, Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter School, in August 2016.