THE CIRCUMSTANCES

Gestalt Community Schools target underserved communities, creating high-performing schools that strengthen the surrounding neighborhood. As CEO Yetta Lewis explains, “Whether it’s bricks and mortar or programming, our schools are always anchored in some kind of community revitalization.” Gestalt’s five Power Center Academy Schools, which primarily serve students from low-income neighborhoods, are in high demand, with waitlists at the elementary and middle schools creating pressure for expansion.

THE SHIFT

Gestalt held a series of town hall meetings to uncover specific community needs, then found an abandoned historic theater and its surrounding 13 acres. By transforming this deserted building into a school, Gestalt will bring all five schools into close geographic proximity. Gestalt had previously worked with BlueHub Loan Fund to finance other school construction projects and knew we were the right partner for this one.

THE RESULT

The new comprehensive K-8 campus will serve nearly 30% more scholars with a curriculum focused on community service, entrepreneurism, STEM and financial literacy. It will simultaneously provide new space for community recreation: a track and field facility, athletic center and green space. The library will also be a community gathering spot. This new school, slated to open for the 2025-2026 school year, will have a strong impact on local education and the surrounding neighborhood, acting as an enduring anchor that symbolizes the community’s ability to thrive.