Excel Upper School
Our Program
At Excel Upper School our instructional program is based on the belief that all students can meet high expectations when provided the right environment and resources to achieve.
We are driven by our mission and we see our school as a true community, with relationships characterized by warmth and trust. We also work to serve the larger community outside our doors.
Serving students in grades 5 through 8, Excel Upper School is located in Canarsie, Brooklyn (CSD 18).

School Highlights
- Our Common Core aligned curricula emphasizes critical thinking and rigor, helping our students develop the skills they need for college-preparatory high schools.
-
Our High School Placement Coordinator works with each 8th grader to help them find college-preparatory high schools aligned to their unique interests and needs.
- Our students participate in a wide array of enrichment activities — including art, physical education and technology weekly.
Meet The Team

At Excel Upper School our leadership team is a group of committed educators:
__________________
Principal: Nadia Despenza
Director of Operations: Camille Kerr
Academic Director: Brian Giglio
Academic Coordinator: Jennifer Perniciaro
Special Populations Coordinator: Evita Bullen
Dean of Students: Xenia Barnes
Fast Facts
262 Students

Grades 5-8

CSD 18, Canarsie Brooklyn

Opened in 2011

“Explore Schools is a very important aspect of my childhood. Explore Schools has taught me to have high expectations for myself only accepting excellence. Explore Schools has taught me to develop resilience and perseverance.”
– Fatima, Excel Charter School Student
All Upper Schools
Explore Upper
Located at:
655 Parkside Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226
Email: Jess Baer, DOO at
jbaer@explorenetwork.org
Phone: (718) 703-4484
Empower Upper
Located at:
188 Rochester Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213
Email: Veronica Woolley, DOO at
vwoolley@explorenetwork.org
Phone: (718) 771-2090
Excel Upper
Located at:
956 East 82nd St, Brooklyn, NY 11236
Email: Camille Kerr, DOO at
ckerr@explorenetwork.org
Phone: (347) 289-9555
Exceed Upper
Located at:
46 McKeever Place, Brooklyn, NY
Email: Amanda Hladky, DOO at
ahladky@explorenetwork.org
Phone: (347) 689-0200
Join the Explore team!
Contact Us
Phone:
(347) 391-0645
E-mail:
information@explorenetwork.org
Mail:
Explore Schools
20 Jay Street, Suite 211
Brooklyn, NY 11201
© Explore Schools 2020