01.
Our Vision
Every school has the potential to be the engine of progress in its community. We place schools at the heart of educational innovation and access — where every child, regardless of background, can lead, thrive, and shape the future.
Who we are
We are The CEI.
We collaborate with school leaders, educators, families, and students to create high-performing schools in underprivileged communities that are accessible, results-driven, and committed to the achievement of every child.
Organization overview
Transforming education for 35 years.
Since 1989, CEI has worked to shift school systems toward genuine, bottom-up development, transforming underserved schools into engines of opportunity and impact.
Our founding ambition was bold: move accountability from restrictive bureaucracies to schools themselves, placing power and possibility back in the hands of educators, students, and communities.
From day one, we focused on what matters most: access, innovation, and genuine results. Our work offers high-impact academic and enrichment programs to schools that need them the most, creating opportunities where systemic injustice has long prevailed.
"The CEI exists so every child can thrive."
2,200+
schools served
1M+
students impacted
35
years of innovation
8
enrichment programs
Discover our work
Transforming education through access and innovation.
02.
Our Mission
We transform public education by partnering with school leaders, educators, families, and students. Our mission is to build high-performing schools in underserved communities — driving achievement, fostering social-emotional growth, and championing innovation.
03.
Our Impact
For 35 years, CEI has partnered with schools across New York City to expand opportunity and drive measurable change. We've supported over 2,200 schools and impacted more than 1,000,000 students through enrichment programs, leadership coaching, and whole-school transformation.
Focus on student growth
We measure success by academic progress, social-emotional well-being, and readiness for the future.
Support for educators
From coaching to professional learning, we equip teachers and leaders with tools that last.
Access at the core
Our programs reduce barriers and expand access so every child has the chance to thrive.
Our achievements
Awards & recognition.
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National Recognition
CEI is nationally recognized for advancing meaningful reforms in public education and disrupting inequity in underserved communities.
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Innovation Gala Honoree (2023)
CEI honored Lewis Bernard and the founders of Read to Lead, a digital learning platform that has impacted millions of students.
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Federal Grant Recipient
CEI MERIDIAN is funded by a five-year Assistance for Arts Education (AAE) grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
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Program Impact at Scale
Over 2,200 schools served and 1,000,000+ students impacted — a scale that demonstrates CEI's role as a leader in education transformation.
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Conference Leadership
CEI hosts national conferences like CEI MERIDIAN, bringing teachers nationwide hands-on professional learning in arts integration.
Partner with CEI
Partner with us to transform education.
Your gift funds tutoring, mentorship, the arts, esports, robotics, and the coaching that helps schools transform. Every dollar goes back into classrooms.