Our Story
Over the Years
1996
Vision
- God plants a vision in our founders for a school to serve under-resourced children in Charlotte. They pray and study models of successful urban schools across the U.S.
1998
Neighborhoods Identified
- Brookstone’s founders identify two neighborhoods, Briar Creek in east-central Charlotte and Jackson Park in west Charlotte, for the start of the school. Prayerful conversations and planning continue.
2000
Founded
- Brookstone files its articles of incorporation on December 29 and assembles a board. The board begins to recruit staff and students with the goal of opening in August 2001; Suzanne Wilson is hired as Brookstone’s first employee.
2001
Doors Open
- Brookstone’s doors open at Briar Creek Baptist Church and Jackson Park Ministries with an initial enrollment of 18 students. The schools offer kindergarten and first grade with a plan to add a grade each year through eighth grade.
2004
Consolidation
- Brookstone consolidates and moves to Urban Restoration Ministries off Remount Road in west Charlotte.
2007
First Graduation
- Brookstone hosts its first fifth grade graduation with nine students.
2009
Move & Growth
- Brookstone relocates to Christ Presbyterian Church on Arty Avenue adjacent to Urban Restoration Ministries.
- Enrollment grows to 106 children as the school adds new grades. Brookstone now offers kindergarten through fifth grade.
2011
Middle School Begins
- Brookstone moves to Amay James Elementary School, a surplus CMS facility in west Charlotte.
- Programming expands to offer middle school, including sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. Brookstone also adds its summer camp and literacy program.
2014
Move
- CMS terminates Brookstone’s lease at Amay James due to the need for classrooms for CMS students.
- Brookstone Schools finds a new home at First Baptist Church in uptown Charlotte.
2015
First Eighth Grade Graduation
- Brookstone hosts its first eighth grade graduation with eight students.
- In its new uptown location, Brookstone expands the volunteer program to include more lunch buddies, classroom assistants, and tutors.
- IOWA test scores show Brookstone students performing in the 80th percentile when compared with students of similar economic status across the U.S.
2016
Growth with Excellence
- Brookstone launches the first phase of its ‘Growth with Excellence’ campaign and increases enrollment with the addition of a kindergarten and first grade class.
- The school also extends its day to offer after school enrichment and tutoring.
- For the first time, two Brookstone graduates qualify for scholarships to independent high schools.
- Eight students participate in Solidarity Scholars, a program that provides academic and social support for graduates’ upward mobility and path toward graduation and college.
2017
Reading Proficiency Soars
- Brookstone adds new second and third grade classrooms, and 88 percent of third graders reach reading proficiency, a benchmark schools use for reading success.
- Summer camp welcomes 12 Brookstone graduates back to work as staff.
2018
After School Enrichment
- Brookstone adds additional fourth and fifth grade classrooms, and 91 percent of third graders reach reading proficiency.
- This year, 65 percent of students participate in after school enrichment, and 19 graduates help with summer camp either as paid staff or volunteers.
2019
Graduate Achievement
- Six Brookstone graduates have been awarded merit college scholarships since 2013.
- Brookstone has 21 community partnerships that expand enrichment opportunities for students; 80 percent of the student body participates in after school enrichment.
2020
Opportunities
- Since 2016, 22 students have received scholarships to independent high schools and 33 students have participated in the Solidarity Scholars program.
