About

Welcome to OWNCS
OWN Charter Schools are excellent places for young people to learn. Since our doors first opened, we have worked tirelessly to meet our goal of providing our diverse student body with an excellent education based on active inquiry, experiential learning, and social justice. We prepare our students to become independent thinkers and lifelong learners. I am so proud of the success and progress we have made so far, and no one is more aware than I of how integral the support and encouragement of the OWNCs community has been in helping us grow and improve each and every year.
I urge you to visit our schools during the Admissions Open Houses. You can see the mission and philosophy brought to life. The elementary and middle school faculty use activities that guide children toward knowledge through imaginative exploration and the mastery of skills.

OWNCS is a non-sectarian, tuition-free, public charter school. OWNCS does not discriminate against any student in the admissions process or the provision of educational programs on any unlawful basis, including on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or ability.
OWNCS is proud of all we have accomplished with our students, parents, and community since our school first opened in 2002. Together, we have established a culture of learning and academic success of which we can be proud.
- Best,
- Brian Ferguson
- Chief Executive Officer
Executive Leadership Team
Anita Angrum
- OWN 1 MS Principal
Omar Claxton
- Director of Technology
Mark Crusante
- Director of External Relations
Brian Ferguson
- Chief Executive Officer
Shereen Hosny-Bonilla
- Human Resources Manager & Strategic Business Partner
Richard Lee
- Chief Academic Officer
TIffany McAfee
- OWN 2 ES Principal
Gina Patino
- Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Tanicqua Pryor
- OWN 3 ES Principal
Douglas Ricketts
- Chief Operating Officer
Stephanie Rochman
- OWN 1 ES Interim Principal / Director of Student Support Services
Board of Trustees
Kalimah Ayele
Jeanette Betancourt
Richard Bogle
Melissa Chin
Olubunmi Emigli
Liz Fernandez
Maura Fitzgerald
Education Corp. Administration
Ibrahim Abdul-Aziz
- Technology Support Associate
Joseph Alcruz
- SIS Administrator & Data Analyst
Brandon Crawford
- Technology Support Associate
Fabio Cuellar
- Senior Accountant
Javid Entizar
- Staff Accountant
Gladys Guaman
- Admissions Coordinator
Sherab Gyaltsen
- Staff Accountant
Misha Jannatunnasa
- Technology Support Associate
Dilshad Khan
- HR Generalist
Joey Le
- Staff Accountant
Lu Li
- Instructional Math Coach
Terrence McLean
- Admissions Coordinator
Jayme Pabon
- Specials Coordinator / Testing Coordinator
Mihwa Park
- Executive Assistant to the CEO
Lucille Ranchor
- Admissions Coordinator
Our World Neighborhood Charter Schools
Our World Neighborhood Charter Schools educate students to become independent thinkers and lifelong learners.
OWN 1 (Astoria)
- Elementary School (Grades K-5)
36-12 35th Avenue
- Astoria, NY 11106
- Phone: (718) 392-3405
- FAX: (718) 392-2840
OWN 1 (Long Island City)
- Middle School (Grades 6-8)
- 38-27 30th Street
Long Island City, NY 11101
- Phone: (718) 274-2902
- FAX: (718) 274-7146
OWN 2 (Howard Beach)
- Elementary School (Grades K-5)
- 135-25 79th Street
- Howard Beach, NY 11414
- Phone: (347) 390-3290
FAX: (347) 644-5070
OWN 3 (Corona)
- Elementary School (Grades K-5)
- 108-68 Roosevelt Ave
- Corona, NY 11368
- Phone: (347) 639-1300