P.S. 439Q | Academy of Cultural Excellence

Academyofculturalexcellence@schools.nyc.gov

Excellence with heart. A new school in District 30, opening September 2026.

Fill Out Interest Form

Pre-K Admissions: One class available for September 2028 with 18 seats. First Day of School: September 10, 2026 Schools Closed – Yom Kippur: September 21, 2026 Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences: September 23, 2026 Schools Closed – Italian Heritage/Indigenous Peoples' Day: October 12, 2026 Election Day – School in Session Remotely: November 3, 2026 Schools Closed – Veterans Day: November 11, 2026 Afternoon & Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences (Early Dismissal – 3 hrs): November 12, 2026 Schools Closed – Thanksgiving Recess: November 26–27, 2026 Schools Closed – Winter Recess: December 24, 2026 – January 1, 2027 Schools Closed – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day: January 18, 2027 Professional Development Day – Students Attend School: February 1, 2027 Spring Semester Begins: February 2, 2027 Schools Closed – Midwinter Recess: February 15–19, 2027 Afternoon & Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences (Early Dismissal – 3 hrs): March 4, 2027 Schools Closed – Eid al-Fitr: March 9, 2027 Schools Closed – Good Friday: March 26, 2027 Schools Closed – Spring Recess: April 22–30, 2027 Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences: May 13, 2027 Schools Closed – Eid al-Adha: May 17, 2027 Schools Closed – Memorial Day: May 31, 2027 Clerical Day – No Classes for Students: June 8, 2027 Anniversary Day / Chancellor's Conference Day – No School for Students: June 10, 2027 Last Day of School for Students: June 28, 2027

Pre-K Admissions: One class available for September 2028 with 18 seats. First Day of School: September 10, 2026 Schools Closed – Yom Kippur: September 21, 2026 Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences: September 23, 2026 Schools Closed – Italian Heritage/Indigenous Peoples' Day: October 12, 2026 Election Day – School in Session Remotely: November 3, 2026 Schools Closed – Veterans Day: November 11, 2026 Afternoon & Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences (Early Dismissal – 3 hrs): November 12, 2026 Schools Closed – Thanksgiving Recess: November 26–27, 2026 Schools Closed – Winter Recess: December 24, 2026 – January 1, 2027 Schools Closed – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day: January 18, 2027 Professional Development Day – Students Attend School: February 1, 2027 Spring Semester Begins: February 2, 2027 Schools Closed – Midwinter Recess: February 15–19, 2027 Afternoon & Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences (Early Dismissal – 3 hrs): March 4, 2027 Schools Closed – Eid al-Fitr: March 9, 2027 Schools Closed – Good Friday: March 26, 2027 Schools Closed – Spring Recess: April 22–30, 2027 Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences: May 13, 2027 Schools Closed – Eid al-Adha: May 17, 2027 Schools Closed – Memorial Day: May 31, 2027 Clerical Day – No Classes for Students: June 8, 2027 Anniversary Day / Chancellor's Conference Day – No School for Students: June 10, 2027 Last Day of School for Students: June 28, 2027

Academy of Cultural Excellence collage celebrating student dance music and graduation

Our Vision

Built on the belief that learning thrives through community, curiosity, and connection, this new school is designed to nurture the whole child through inquiry-driven learning and joyful, inclusive experiences.

About our school and mission

Meet Our Interim Acting,
Founding Principal/Project Director

Guided by experience, grounded in heart — Principal Ciani Espada leads
with purpose, passion, and proven success.

Learn More About Principal Ciani Espada

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Meet the Team Behind ACE

Get to know the educators and leaders who are helping shape our school community from the very beginning. Read their personal welcome letters and learn what they’re looking forward to this school year.

Welcome letter from Susana Morales — Susana Morales

Welcome letter from Ms. Sanchez — Ms. Sanchez

Welcome letter from Ms. Gonzalez — Ms. Gonzalez

Welcome letter from Ms. Espada — Ms. Espada

Welcome letter from Ms. Chen — Ms. Chen

Welcome letter from Mrs. Delgado — Mrs. Delgado

Welcome letter from Mr. Scott — Mr. Scott

Welcome letter from Mr. Hackett — Mr. Hackett

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Academy of Cultural Excellence Frequently Asked Questions — A New District 30 School

What is the Partnership Survey and who should complete it?

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The Partnership Survey gathers basic information from Community-Based Organizations interested in collaborating with the school.

Open Partnership Survey

What information does the Partnership Survey collect?

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Organization details, services offered, collaboration interests, and optional supporting documents.

How can organizations partner with the school?

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Partnerships may include internships, workshops, mentoring, enrichment programs, and community resources.

How can families express interest or get updates?

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Families can complete the Interest Survey to receive updates and information.

Interest Survey

When will the school open?

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The school is scheduled to open in September 2026.

Are responses and uploads kept confidential?

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Responses are used for planning purposes. Uploaded files follow Google Forms security policies.

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