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Ten public charter schools in Rochester received $165,000 in grants from Sound Foundations of Rochester to enrich their music programs. The grants aim to strengthen Rochester’s long history in music education.
Sound Foundations is a nonprofit organization that invests in music education in public charter schools.
“We know music education has a profound impact on children’s academic performance and social-emotional learning,” says Melinda Goldberg, Sound Foundations executive director.
Funding will be used to expand music programs, including hiring and retaining music teachers, purchasing or renting equipment, upgrading music room technology, supporting school musical performances, and expanding opportunities for students to learn and create music.
The current expansion brings Sound Foundations’ total investment in education to nearly $250,000 over two years.
The 2026-2027 grant recipients are:
■ Academy of Health Sciences
■ Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School
■ Genesee Charter Schools
■ Innova Girls Academy
■ Renaissance Academy
■ Rochester Academy Elementary School
■ Rochester Prep Elementary & Middle Schools
■ University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men
■ Vertus High School
■ Young Women’s College Prep
Several of those schools are located in the city’s economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Sound Foundations noted that Rochester has one of the highest child poverty rates in the state and receives the lowest Charter School Basic Tuition funding. The organization points to a 2022 study showing that, in Rochester, there’s a 42% charter-funding deficit, representing a gap of $14,280 per student.
“We want charter school students to have access to the same enrichment opportunities as their peers who attend district schools,” says Goldberg, “Because every child deserves the opportunity to participate in music programs.”
Julie Locey, CEO at Vertus High School, agrees.
“These investments make it possible to provide innovative, high-quality enrichment opportunities that would otherwise be beyond our financial reach, ensuring our students have access to experiences and pathways that prepare them for success in college, careers, and life,” she says.
Sound Foundations’ grant was supported in collaboration with the Rochester Area Community Foundation and ArtsBloom, which were funded through the city of Rochester’s Percent for the Arts Program.
Grant applications for the 2027-2028 school year will open later this year for Rochester-based charter schools. Sound Foundations encourages all schools to apply.
Danik Soudakoff, a student at Rochester Institute of Technology, is a member of the Oasis Project’s third cohort.
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It is interesting to note that Child Poverty has a DIRECT association with the RSCD and the RCSB, who cannot, will not, teach the way kids learn. That includes the all knowing Dr. Adam Urbanski, who knows all but apparently cannot share and pass on that knowledge nor put it into a curriculum. The proof is in the stats. I have been advocating for an inclusive education SYSTEM fo years. That said the experts at the top, the Phd’s and the like know better. They seem to know better…… But their results prove otherwise. The Charter Schools are doing it better, much better. And….music is a very important issue and subject that will enhance all the other subjects. Period. I congratulate the Charter School effort!!