Our Schools

Our network of K-8 free, public charter schools includes five campuses throughout greater Cleveland. In our classrooms, you’ll find an immersive curriculum being taught with active, joyful learning to give scholars the foundation they need for a bright future.

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Breakthrough Fast Facts

Breakthrough Public Schools is a nationally recognized charter school network established as a commitment to increasing educational options for Cleveland families. Serving more than 3,000 students across five K-8 campuses, we are committed to setting our scholars on an early pathway to lifelong success in school, college, and career. Each day, we continue to build equitable, anti-racist environments and cultures in our schools where scholars and adults can grow and thrive. In addition, we strive to develop a growing network of distinctive school options that prepare Cleveland area students for success in life.

Summer Office Schedules

Daily Schedule

Academic Calendar

Staffing Model

In grades K-2, we utilize a co-teaching model, which places two teachers in every classroom. Students remain in the same room all day.

In grades 3-4, students will engage with a blend of various subject based teachers. Students will primarily remain in the same room all day, with selected times that they may rotate rooms.

In grades 5-8, students will have 4 different teachers for 4 different subjects (ELA, Math, Science, History). Students rotate through ~65 minute blocks of instruction.

Breakthrough Campuses

Breakthrough's New Model!

Effective August 2024, four out of our five campuses will transition to a unified K-8 structure, with one principal guiding each team.

This transition will empower our school leadership teams while cultivating a collaborative environment centered around the success of our scholars.

Cliffs Campus

Located in the St Clair Superior neighborhood just east of downtown Cleveland, our Cliffs Campus serves a wide range of scholars from throughout Cleveland.

Principal

Mrs. Amanda Schecter

Meet Mrs. Schecter

Committed to cultivating an environment of excellence and inclusivity, She is excited to embark on this journey. With a deep-seated passion for education and a steadfast dedication to student success, Mrs. Schecter brings over a decade of experience to this role. For the past twelve years, she has honed her skills, teaching middle school mathematics and serving as an instructional coach (STEM DoI) for the last nine years at EPC.

Throughout her career, her focus has been creating vibrant learning environments where every individual—be it a student, teacher, or staff member—feels valued, empowered, and supported.

As she transitions into the role of principal, her vision for Cliffs Campus is one of collaboration, innovation, and equity. Mrs. Schecter is committed to fostering a culture that celebrates diversity, nurtures academic excellence, and equips students for success in our ever-changing world. Beyond her professional endeavors, Mrs. Schecter values spending quality time with her husband, Aaron, and two children.

Main Office Phone

(216) 456-2080

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Partnerships

We partner with ODA to provide after-school, out-of-school, camp, and summer experiences.

We partner with Say Yes to provide Family Support Specialists that provide wrap-around services for students and families.

We partner with Rainey Institute for an art-based afterschool program at Cliffs.

Glenville Campus

Located in the Glenville neighborhood of Cleveland, we opened this camus as a result of strong community demand and support.

Principal

Ms. Agnes Aleobua

Meet Ms. Aleobua

A native of Detroit, she earned her degree in Secondary Education from the esteemed University of Michigan. That same year, she embarked on her teaching odyssey with Teach For America, igniting minds as a high school social studies educator in Miami-Dade, Florida.

Agnes is renowned for her expertise in revitalizing struggling schools, a testament to her transformative leadership. Her proudest achievement came in 2015 when she and her team orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, elevating Indianapolis Public School 103 (later Phalen Leadership Academy @ 103) from an F-grade to an illustrious A in just two years, a triumph that has endured for three consecutive years.

With an unwavering dedication to enhancing student experiences, Agnes assumed the role of Principal at Citizens Glenville in 2020. She played a pivotal role in fostering academic excellence amidst the challenges of COVID-19. Dedicated to ensuring our scholars receive a top-tier education, she persists in catalyzing extraordinary improvements in our students' academic achievements.

Main Office Phone

(216) 367-9392

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Partnerships

We partner with ODA to provide after-school, out-of-school, camp, and summer experiences.

We partner with Say Yes to provide Family Support Specialists that provide wrap-around services for students and families.

Southeast Campus

Our Southeast campus is our newest. Located in the Lee-Harvard neighborhood, our Southeast Campus is honored to serve scholars from Cleveland and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Principal

Mr. Joseph Ciesielski

Meet Mr. Ciesielski

He joined Breakthrough from Elmwood Village Charter School in Buffalo, New York where he supported the final expansion of the school system and stabilized student achievement and enrollment.

A former school leader for CMSD, Joseph served as an Assistant Principal for 5 years at John Marshall School of Civic and Business Leadership. In this role, he helped raise the graduation rate from 61% to 92% while facing a global pandemic.

In his last year as a member of CMSD, Joseph was the founding principal of the Cleveland Metropolitan K-12 Remote School. He successfully built the foundation of the new CMSD option impacting the lives of over 1,200 students and their families.

Joseph is beyond excited to join the Breakthrough community and begin this next chapter of his life. In this next chapter, he brings his wife, Krystle Ciesielski, a fellow educator and lifelong Clevelander, and their beloved dog. Joseph can’t wait to engulf himself in the community and learn side by side with the families of Breakthrough Schools to help contribute to the success of their children.

Main Office Phone

(216) 586-3887

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Partnerships

We partner with ODA to provide after-school, out-of-school, camp, and summer experiences.

Woodland Hills Campus

The Woodland Hills campus is especially helpful in students make multiple years of academic progress in just one year.

Principal

Mr. Ron Brownrigg

Meet Mr. Brownrigg

Affectionately known as Mr. B, Ron Brownrigg has been an integral part of the Village Prep Woodland Hills community since 2012. He joined as Principal for the 2023-2024 school year. Before assuming the role of Principal, he served as the founding Dean of Scholars, marking this as his 13th year with Breakthrough.

Mr. B is driven by a passion for fostering authentic and transformative relationships with staff, families, and scholars alike. He is unwaveringly committed to cultivating a welcoming and secure environment where everyone feels valued, and scholars thrive in their learning journey. With a steadfast dedication to providing the finest educational experiences for every scholar, Mr. B consistently strives for excellence.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Mr. B finds joy in spending quality time at the Kingdom Hall and cherishing moments with his wife, Brittany, and their two children, both of whom are proud scholars at VPWH!

Main Office Phone

(216) 298-1164

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Partnerships

We partner with ODA to provide after-school, out-of-school, camp, and summer experiences.

We partner with Say Yes to provide Family Support Specialists that provide wrap-around services for students and families.

Willard Campus

Our first west side campus, Willard is an exciting, diverse, multicultural learning environment featuring high structure, high energy, and academic rigor.

Principal, E Prep

Ms. Shartara Miller

Meet Ms. Miller

As a Teach For America Alum, Shartara continues to walk in her purpose through leading and developing teachers and leaders while serving and partnering with families to help ensure an equitable, quality education is provided in diverse communities.

In addition to her master’s degree in public administration, Shartara holds a certification in Diversity Equity and Inclusion from Cornell University, certification in Leading Learning and Leading School and Strategy Innovation through Harvard Business School, and Leadership Development through Accelerate Institute.

Entering her 12th year with Breakthrough, and serving as the Girls Basketball Coach and Middle School's Track Coach, Shartara is excited to continue the advocacy and fight for equitable education and helping scholars maximize their potential while displaying their gifts.

Principal, VIllage Prep

Ms. Aaliyah Vanleer

Meet Ms. Vanlear

She is a longstanding member of our Breakthrough community, embodying dedication and leadership for over 12 remarkable years. Throughout her tenure, she has worn multiple hats, seamlessly transitioning from a nurturing kindergarten teacher to a resourceful Intervention Specialist, and later assuming the pivotal role of Dean of Culture. For the past three years, Aaliyah has gracefully steered as the esteemed K-4 principal at Willard, setting a standard of excellence for our educational institution.

Armed with an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education, as well as a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, Aaliyah exemplifies both expertise and passion in her field.

Her unwavering commitment to the Breakthrough mission resonates in her every action, as she tirelessly advocates for our scholars and their families, ensuring an unparalleled educational journey for each and every one.

Main Office Phone

(216) 586-3892

Call Willard Campus

stay connected to Willard

Partnerships

We partner with Rainey Institute for an art-based afterschool program at Willard.

We partner with Say Yes to provide Family Support Specialists that provide wrap-around services for students and families.

Make An Impact. Join Our Team.

Get to know Breakthrough and our distinct kindergarten-through-career approach

Common Searches

Cliffs Campus

Glenville Campus

Southeast Campus

Willard Campus

Woodland Hills

Our Schools

Breakthrough Fast Facts

Breakthrough Campuses

Breakthrough's New Model!

Cliffs Campus

Principal

Mrs. Amanda Schecter

Main Office Phone

stay connected to cliffs

Partnerships

Glenville Campus

Principal

Ms. Agnes Aleobua

Main Office Phone

stay connected to Glenville

Partnerships

Southeast Campus

Principal

Mr. Joseph Ciesielski

Main Office Phone

stay connected to Southeast

Partnerships

Woodland Hills Campus

Principal

Mr. Ron Brownrigg

Main Office Phone

stay connected to Woodland Hills

Partnerships

Willard Campus

Principal, E Prep

Ms. Shartara Miller

Principal, VIllage Prep

Ms. Aaliyah Vanleer

Main Office Phone

stay connected to Willard

Partnerships

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