Mission Statement: Nicotra Early College Charter School is designed to provide an innovative pathway to college graduation for students interested in Business and Entrepreneurship or Criminal Justice and Law.
Nicotra students, including those living with emotional challenges or other disabilities, can earn credits at St. John’s University while earning a high school diploma.
By fostering academic and emotional growth, Nicotra is an innovative educational model that enables students to develop the academic skills, emotional fluency and confidence to be the thoughtful, open-minded leaders of tomorrow.
Vision Statement: Nicotra Early College Charter School enables students to reach their highest potential through the learning pathways of Business and Entrepreneurship or Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. Nicotra students are inspired to apply learning to life and contribute positively to their communities as caring and productive global citizens.
It began with a vision fueled by compassion.
Dr. Kenneth Byalin’s dream to blend special needs students with general education students in one classroom setting became a reality in 2009 when he founded the first charter school on Staten Island, the John W. Lavelle Preparatory Charter School.
Today, the Integration Charter Schools family includes Lavelle Preparatory Charter School, New Ventures Charter School, Nicotra Early College Charter School and Richmond Preparatory Charter School, all thriving under the same innovative mission of integrating students with different needs and preparing them to succeed in college and career.
First temporarily located on the grounds of the Teleport business park, Lavelle Prep expanded into Corporate Commons Two in 2016, and three years later into its permanent home, Corporate Commons Three, a brand new state-of-the-art building at 1441 South Ave.
New Ventures opened in summer 2015 in Corporate Commons Two as a transfer school serving students 16 to 21 who are under-credited, over-age or disconnected. The innovative curriculum is centered around internships and fieldwork experience with dozens of community partners.
Since its start in 2016, Nicotra Early College Charter School has expanded from its first temporary locations at the Hilton Garden Inn and the former Eltingville Lutheran School into its present home on the fifth floor of Corporate Commons Three, where it serves students in grades 8 through 12.
Richmond Prep, the newest member of the ICS family, opened in 2021 in Corporate Commons Three with plans to move to an expanded site at 2245 Richmond Ave. in the centrally located New Springville section of Staten Island for the 2023-2024 school year.
Each ICS school offers smaller classes and a rigorous curriculum focused on college and career success. Together, the network serves over 1,500 students in kindergarten through grade 12.