Michael Zigman
President and CEO of NYC First
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We are enthusiastically partnering with NYC FIRST — a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit that has worked since 2019 to help design and launch this innovative school.  NYC FIRST was founded over 20 years ago to inspire and empower students from diverse communities across New York City to engage with STEM and robotics in meaningful and joyful ways.  NYC FIRST has supported Q417 in many ways, including conceiving of its design, and it will continue to work with school leadership on the implementation of its imaginative school design.

NYC FIRST was founded over 20 years ago to inspire and empower students from diverse communities across New York City to engage with STEM and robotics in meaningful and joyful ways. NYC FIRST, a not-for-profit (501)(c)(3), creates authentic learning experiences that encourage young people to think critically and creatively, and to persevere. NYC FIRST is investing in New York City’s future by preparing the next generation of innovators and leaders.

In early 2019, NYC FIRST conceived of a new model for high school – one that put the joy and rigor of robotics into the hands of all students. In late 2019, the NYC DOE, partnering with XQ Institute, announced that it was planning to start several new K-12 schools in NYC. NYC FIRST assembled a design team and applied to design and then work with a high school. In 2021, Q417 was approved, and NYC FIRST was thrilled to begin the launch process.


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